Residents have been told it will be at least another fortnight before a key junction re-opens after a mains water leak.

The junction of Forest Hill with Postley Road in Tovil, near Maidstone, was first closed on Sunday, February 16, after neighbours noticed a crack appear in the carriageway.

The road surface for Forest Hill sank about six inches below that of Postley Road in some places.

South East Water engineers were quickly on the scene and discovered a leak in the water main that transverses the junction.

The leak was fixed the same day and residents were told the road would be re-opened on Wednesday, February 19.

But two weeks after that deadline, not only is the road still closed, but there is not even anybody working on it.

The problem seems to be a disagreement between the water company South East Water, responsible for the water main, and KCC, the highways authority.

A near neighbour said: “They can’t decide which of them is responsible. Meanwhile, everyone is having to go the long way round.”

Nick Bell, head of operations for South East Water, said: “Discussions are ongoing with Kent Highways to ensure the road structure is re-instated to highways standards as soon as possible.

“In the interests of public safety, the road must remain closed until further notice while ground surveys are carried out.”

While a spokeman for KCC said: “The subsidence in Tovil is an issue being led by South East Water following a water leak, the site responsibility remains with them.”