A road closed for emergency sewage repairs has reopened after it caused “total chaos” in Thanet.

Southern Water shut part of the A28 Canterbury Road in Westgate-On-Sea on Monday evening.

The road eastbound towards Margate was shut and a 15-mile diversion route was branded a “joke” by furious residents.

Southern Water announced this afternoon it had fixed the burst sewer pipe and the road has reopened.

“Thanks to everyone for your patience and understanding while we worked on this emergency repair,” the firm said.

Thanet residents were left raging about the congestion the emergency closure has caused this week.

On a Facebook community group, Mandy Petford said: “It's a joke. It took me 45 minutes to get from Broadstairs to Birchington.

“There were cars turning round at St Peter’s Road going towards the hospital.

“It was totally gridlocked so I went through at St Peter’s along Cliftonville which was gridlocked along Margate seafront.

“Even coming home it was gridlocked coming back through Manston.

“No matter what way [I go] it's rammed everywhere. Total chaos.”

Meanwhile, Ashley Corn said: “My daughter is still on the bus trying to get to school, and she left earlier than usual.

“Thankfully, she doesn't have an exam till this afternoon or she'd have missed it and failed it.”

In a statement on Monday, Southern Water bosses apologised for the disruption.

“We are very sorry for the disruption this will cause to residents and road users,” the company said.

“Unfortunately, without significant action, severe damage would be caused to the carriageway.”

It was originally reported the closure would last for 10 days but the work has been completed early.