Workers have excavated a large section of road to investigate a sinkhole.

The A26 Tonbridge Road was closed between Fountain Lane and Terminus Road after the void appeared on Monday.

Early work has suggested that the void is over 240sq metres (20 metres by 12 metes) in size and is as deep as three metres in places.

It comes as stunning drone footage emerged of the scene. It was captured by HawkEye Aerial Media.

Kent County Council has now said a 21-day road closure could be in force for longer.

This is because three-weeks is a standard legal time frame for emergency road closures and attempts to find the cause of the road collapse are continuing.

However, the council has not ruled out extending the excavation as the investigation goes on.

A number of homes surrounding the hole have been evacuated and residents have reported cracks appearing in the walls of their homes.

Low walls separating each of the houses also appear to have cracked in the same place along the terrace.

A Barming Sinkhole Survivors Group has been set up on Instagram and KCC are advising those who are concerned about damage to contact their insurers.

Trying to minimise traffic disruption, particularly with school pupils returning to classes next week, the council has published the following bus route diversions:

Arriva : Service 3 – will divert via Queens Rd, London Rd A20, Hermitage Lane B2246 to Maidstone Hospital.

Arriva : Service 6/7 – will divert via St Michael’s Rd, Upper Fant Rd, Hackney Rd, Gatland Lane and Farleigh Lane.

Arriva : Service 6X – will divert via Hermitage Lane, London Road and A20.

Arriva : Service 575 – will divert via A20 and Queens Road (not serving Hermitage Lane).

Nu-Venture : Service 6A – will divert via Fant Lane, Gatland Lane and Glebe Lane.

Nu-Venture : Service 6A – will divert via Farleigh Lane, Gatland Lane and Hartnup Street.

Nu Venture : Service 78 – will divert via Farleigh Lane, Gatland Lane and Hartnup Street.

Nu Venture : Service 88 – will divert via Farleigh Lane, Gatland Lane and Hartnup Street.