A town centre road remains closed due to a sinkhole.

Shipbourne Road in Tonbridge has been shut in both directions between Dry Hill Park Road and London Road since last Thursday (July 3).

Both Southern Water and KCC Highways officers were called to the site, where work remains underway.

A spokesperson for the water company said: “Our teams are continuing to dig down to find and fix a suspected leaking sewer pipe.

“This work is taking longer than expected due to the number of other utilities in the area, and we expect to remain on site for a number of days.

“We’re sorry for the disruption this work is causing customers, commuters and businesses, with Shipbourne Road closed in both directions at Manor Grove and a diversion in place.”

It will be able to provide a further update on timescales once workers have reached the pipe.

The entrance to the road has been shut off, and traffic is being diverted.

A diversion is in place for motorists which uses Bordyke (A227), via the A26 Hadlow Road, via the Ridgeway back onto Shipbourne Road and then it goes to Dry Hill Park Road and Yardley Park Road.

When the closure first came into place last week, one resident said: “This is going to be carnage.”

Kent County Council says the road could be shut for up to 21 days.

A spokesperson added: “Southern Water has confirmed a defect has been located within their surface water sewer and is currently in the process of taking over the site and organising a repair.

“KCC is working closely with them to ensure any necessary action is taken swiftly and with minimal disruption to residents.”