THAMES Water bosses say they expect the London-bound carriageway of the A210 (Eltham Hill) to re-open by 8am tomorrow.

The road was closed yesterday for emergency works after a major pipe sprung a leak.

Thames Water engineers are at the scene now digging up the carriageway to repair the burst 24-inch pipe.

A Thames Water spokesman said: "Engineers were at the scene this morning at 7am. The mains were switched off and we hope to have fixed the leak by this afternoon.

"Repair work will then begin immediately and the road should be re-opened at 8am tomorrow."

General traffic is being diverted along the Well Hall Road to Westhorne Avenue towards the Yorkshire Grey Roundabout, Eltham.

Major delays are likely.

Paul McCrossen is one of the directors for plumbing firm JRE Dinnage based in Eltham Hill.

He said: "The road closure is going to cause inconvenience to our staff as they travel out on jobs.

"I'm just about to go out on a job now and ideally need to get on the London-bound carriageway, but I'll just have to follow the diversions.

"I hope it's sorted out quickly."

Secretary Valerie Stark from Bernard H Skinner and Co estate agents in Well Hall Road, Eltham says traffic levels appear to be normal despite the road closure.

Well Hall Road forms one of the diversion routes.