DRIVERS faced lengthy diversions into Bromley town centre this morning (December 4) as the normally busy A21 Bromley Common remained closed following yesterday’s burst water main.
And after inspecting the damage the water company in charge of fixing the pipe say repairs and road closures could last a week.
Thames Water’s 18in trunk main burst yesterday morning at 2am near the Crown pub on the A21 Bromley Common.
As a result, the A21 was closed - and remains closed - between Crown Lane Spur and Homesdale Road.
The water company is blaming the leak on a 100-year-old Victorian pipe being affected by the recent cold weather and heavy rainfall.
Engineers managed to replace the pipe yesterday and restore water to three affected postcodes - thought to include around 100 homes.
Thames Water left crates of bottled water in affected streets for people without running taps.
It is understood Bullers Wood School in Logs Hill, Chislehurst, was without water during the day.
Gardens were flooded in Bromley Common and surrounding roads and it is understood several houses may have been damaged by the leaking water.
Thames Water says it will take a week for the road to be completely rebuilt but bosses hope repairs will be completed “inside that time”.
A spokesman added: “We are very, very sorry that this has happened.
“We are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
“We understand the road needs to be back in action but we don’t want to rush the job.
“It could be dangerous if we did and we don’t want to shut the road again even closer to Christmas.”
The water company says homes were only without water for the day and normal service was restored by yesterday evening (December 3).
Following yesterday’s leak, Bromley Council prepared emergency accommodation and the Red Cross was offering emergency aid on the scene.
The local authority has said its transport and waste services will be disrupted and accessing Bromley College in Bromley Common will be "difficult".
However, the college is open as usual.
Buses using Bromley Common are being diverted.
The council says there will "inevitably" be some traffic congestion and vehicles are being diverted along Southborough Lane into Blackbrook Lane, Bickley Park Road, Widmore Road, Kentish Way onto Masons Hill and then Bromley High Street.
Traffic was backing up along Widmore Road this morning (December 4) as drivers found other ways to get into Bromley town centre.
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