ELMSTEAD Lane in Chislehurst will now be closed until next Wednesday, according to a new estimate.

The road was meant to reopen on Sunday after closing on March 6 at 8pm for repairs to a collapsed sewer located near the roundabout at the junction with Sundridge Avenue.

The Thames Water contractor, H2O Metrorod, has now discovered a large void beneath the road surface which needs to be pumped clear before work can be completed.

The void will then be filled with concrete which will need to cure before the road surface can be repaired.

Local diversions will be in place, but motorists are advised to seek alternative routes and allow extra time for journeys.

Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment, said: "There is clearly an environmental health issue that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"Motorists and local residents can be assured that we are pressing Thames Water and their contractor, H2O Metrorod, to finish this job as quickly as possible.

"We understand and reluctantly accepted the need to close the road to enable repairs to go ahead and will be closely monitoring progress that is made."