Thames Water has revealed that a six metre deep collapsed sewer will keep a major Wimbledon road closed for "several more weeks."

The company began carrying out repair works on Worple Road on July 15 to prevent blockages causing flooding to homes and damage to the environment.

The collapsed sewer was discovered during the summer and while a temporary fix was carried out to allow RideLondon to go ahead, Thames Water said a permanent job is needed.

A spokesman for the company said engineers are currently working "every day" to complete the repair but "due to its complicated nature the job is unlikely to be finished for several more weeks."

“We’re very sorry to anyone who’s been impacted by these works but it is vital we carry them out," the spokesman added.

“We understand there will be issues on the roads but due to the nature of the sewer collapse, doing nothing could have led to a blockage which may have flooded homes and caused damage to the environment.”

As a result, a section of the road from Thornton Hill to Elm Grove will be closed to traffic to allow the work to be carried out.

An hourly shuttle-bus service is being run by the company to service those living along the section of road which is shut.

No exact date has been set for when the works will finish.