A HUGE sinkhole and burst water main have created chaos with a key route closed in both directions and repairs expected to last all week.

A large section of Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, collapsed on Sunday following a burst water main.

Essex and Suffolk Water is carrying out urgent repairs on one of the 28-inch cast iron water mains, which fractured and caused serious damage to the road.

The road remained closed in both directions throughout yesterday.

Essex Highways hope the work will be fully completed by Friday, with the closure expected to remain in place until at least the middle of the week.

Michael Hoy, Rochford councillor for Hullbridge, said: “Even just one of these big roads being closed causes problems elsewhere, including on the A127 and Eastwood Road.

“The knock-on is horrendous, and it goes to show the infrastructure in this area isn’t fit for purpose. One road closing shouldn’t cause the mayhem it does, there’s been a big build up in traffic ever since. Usually its 25 minutes to get to Seevic, and it’s taking an hour. It also effects businesses.

“My concern is that the hole is so large it may take a while to repair.”

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Bus routes are being diverted, with Essex and Suffolk Water warning that some nearby residents may experience water pressure problems.

Arthur Williams, councillor for the environment at Rochford Council, says the burst water main washed away the subsurface under the road, leading to the collapse.

He said: “I do appreciate this of course causes disruption for residents and it’s difficult to live with for the time being, but I’m sure this will be resolved as quickly as possible.”

An Essex Highways spokesman, added: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused while Essex and Suffolk Water carry out these repairs.”