Motorists are set for eight months of delays while major water works are carried out.

The work in Pluckley, near Ashford, will see more than a kilometre of road closed in sections beginning today – and drivers have been told to go on a 25-mile diversion.

South East Water will be carrying out a £700,000 project to replace a water main in Smarden Road.

The pipe has been delivering drinking water to Pluckley for the last 70 years but has been hit by a number of bursts.

The suggested detour route for anyone wanting to reach Charing will take drivers back down Wick Hill and towards Biddenden.

Drivers are then told to head to Ashford via High Halden and Bethersden before taking the A20 north-west to Charing.

The 25-mile route is predicted to take at least 51 minutes without traffic, according to Google Maps.

Jeremy Dufour, project manager for South East Water, said the disruption caused to the community by the burst pipe was "unacceptable" and that the work was essential to protect the quality of drinking water supplies in the area.

“We know this road is popular for passing traffic and there are lots of homes and businesses in the area which may be disrupted while the work is under way," he said.

“Road closures are a last resort but are vital to ensure the safety of our team and the public while we install the new pipe.

“While we know eight months is a long time for the road to be closed, our team will work as quickly and safely as possible and as long as we encounter no major issues or extreme weather, we hope to complete the project sooner.”

The closures will take part in six stages, starting near the junction with Swan Lane and finishing just beyond the fork with Smarden Bell Road.

It is not known how long each stage will take.

The water company held a public meeting last month to hear the thoughts of people who live in the area before work began.

Mr Dufour said: “I’d like to thank all those who came to our public meeting which was vital to understand how local residents and businesses could be affected by our works.

“I’d also like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and understanding while we carry out this work.”

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