A busy alleyway in Ashford town centre could be shut for six months.

Highways officials closed Taylors Passage linking the High Street to the taxi rank outside Wilko on Monday.

Contractors working on the former Burton store next to WHSmith have erected scaffolding in the cut-through, forcing Kent County Council to shut the route.

A notice posted in the alleyway says the path will be closed for a maximum of six months, but is expected to reopen before Wednesday, November 1.

The alternative route is via North Street and Park Street.

Last year, retired engineer Ted Prangnell said action was needed to repair overflowing gutters which had turned the alleyway into “Niagara Falls”.

He claimed overflowing gutters reached a cascade that soaked those passing through from Park Street to the High Street.

Ashford Borough Council said officers from the authority had visited the passage to inspect the problems with the guttering.