Three days of traffic misery caused by a burst water pipe have now ended.

Drivers experienced huge tailbacks on the London Road, close to the South Aylesford Retail Estate, because of a burst water main.

South East Water Engineers had hoped to get it fixed in time for yesterday's evening rush hour but Kent Highways did not declare the road fully re-opened until 6.59pm.

The water company had hoped to get the water main, which was located near the traffic lights at the junction of Hermitage Lane and Hall Road, fixed earlier yesterday afternoon.

One driver complained that it took three hours for him to leave the Sainsbury's car park after he popped out for a sandwich.

A driver caught in the snarl-up, who did not want to be named, said: "I popped out for a sandwich at 2.30pm. It's now 5.30pm so I've spent three hours here.

"I haven't been able to get back to the office. It's not too much of a problem for me but I would suggest there are elderly people here who may not do well spending three hours trapped in a car."

On Sunday the burst water main completely closed the London Road at the junction of Hall Road and Hermitage Lane, causing huge queues.

Yesterday there continued to be slow moving traffic heading towards the junctions of Admiral Moore Drive, The Avenue and Station Road.

A South East Water spokesman said repairmen had re-routed water around its underground pipes to ensure customers continued to receive tap water and a diversion for through traffic is in place.

Kevin Warner, eastern distribution manager for the company, said: “I would like to apologise to motorists and our customers for any inconvenience this emergency work maybe caused."

Yesterday's prediction that the road would re-open in the afternoon proved false and angered motorists.

Kent Highways responded to frustrated drivers via Twitter to say a new road surface had been laid over the hole in the road - but it had not yet dried enough to drive on.