A main road in Blackheath village has had to close due to emergency repairs to a leak underground, leaving the road covered in large holes and cordons.

Thames Water's repair teams were called to urgent repair work on Montpelier Vale in Blackheath on January 21 which has resulted in ongoing disruption.

The company's engineers are working to repair a leak and the work will cause significant road closures.

Work is predicted to finish by January 26.

Thames Water says it has allocated 200 repair teams fix leaks daily, including 280 staff who focusing their efforts to detect unseen leaks.

The company has been forced to close traffic from traveling southbound through the village as a temporary measure.

Lewisham Council confirmed it is monitoring the situation closely and liaising with Thames Water to keep local residents and businesses updated about the emergency road closure's duration.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "We are sorry to residents and businesses for any disruption while our teams repair a leak on Montpelier Vale in Blackheath.

"Our engineers began work on Sunday 21 January and are due to complete the repair by Friday 26 January, during which time a road closure will be in place.

"We have 200 repair teams working tirelessly to fix leaks with activity taking place 7 days a week and over 280 people working round the clock and mainly overnight to detect leaks not yet appearing at ground level.”

A spokesperson for Lewisham Council said: “Thames Water are having to carry out emergency repair works in Blackheath Village.

“Montpelier Vale is closed and diversions are in place - it is not possible to drive southbound through the village.

“We are seeking further updates from Thames Water about how long the emergency road closure is likely to be in place for.”