Thames Water bosses say the London-bound carriageway of the A210 (Eltham Hill) will remain closed until at least the end of the week.

It is the third time the firm has extended the deadline for repair works to be completed after a 30-inch pipe burst on August 15.

Initially the timetable for repair works was two days.

A Thames Water spokesman said: "As this is a complicated job on a large water main this could take all week, and the road will remain closed during this period.

"We carried out a complicated repair on August 17.

"Once the repair was completed we put the main back into service on the weekend.

"When we began to pump water back through the pipe we discovered that some water was still escaping. No properties are affected.

"We apologise to motorists for any disruption and thank them for their patience while we carry out this essential work."

Paul McCrossen is one of the directors for plumbing firm JRE Dinnage based in Eltham Hill.

He said: "My three engineers are having to take diversions everyday. Normally we can head straight towards the Yorkshire Grey roundabout and be on our way.

"It's a pain in the neck and I can't believe Thames Water still hasn't rectified the problem, despite initially saying it would take two days.

"It's now looking more like two weeks. But to be honest, I'm hardly surprised."