A major road will be closed for 18 months following a landslide last month.

The A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe has been closed since a suspected burst water pipe caused the collapse of part of the road and pavement on Easter bank holiday weekend.

After weeks of questions from residents and commuters as to how long the road will be closed and how long repairs will take, Kent County Council has now released information revealing the road will be officially shut for 18 months.

The council said: “Due to the likely danger to the public following damage to the road surface caused by a landslip, Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic and pedestrian access.”

The busy road, which joins Greenhithe and Ebbsfleet has been shut between Swanscombe High Street and Ebbsfleet football grounds for the past four weeks.

The order officially comes into force when the Emergency Temporary Traffic Regulation Order expires on May 24.

The collapse was thought to have been triggered after a large 150mm mains pipe burst, sending hundreds of tons of rock and debris onto the industrial estate below.

The section of road was cordoned off and businesses below the landslide were evacuated.