There are major traffic problems this morning following the closure of one of the county's busiest roads.

A burst water main on the Sheppey-bound side of the A249 resulted in it being shut between Sittingbourne and Bobbing just after 8pm yesterday.

Highways England initially estimated the diversion would remain in place until 2am while contractors carried out repair work.

However, there were still problems this morning and, during the rush-hour, there were reports of congestion onto the M2 and as far back as Detling Hill.

Traffic is being diverted along the Sheppey Way and back onto the A249 at Bobbing.

It took mum-of-two Marta Longhurst an hour and a half to drive from Maidstone to Queenborough, from 7.40am to 9.10am, a journey that ordinarily takes about 25 minutes.

The 35-year-old marketing manager was dropping off one of her daughters at a relative's house.

She said: “I needed to drive back down the A249 and as I was going south I had a quick look and there was nothing there, just cones in the road.

“I appreciate there could have been a water main burst but you would expect some work to be happening. I didn’t understand why the road was closed.”

Speaking this morning, a Highways England spokesman said work would not be finished until 9am at the earliest.

But that has been pushed back and the closure will remain in place this afternoon.

A Southern Water spokesman added: "A specialist crew is on site carrying out an emergency assessment.

"We are working as quickly as possible to fix the problem."

Highways England said the water company was due to drill exploratory bores at 12.30pm to see whether any further work was required.