A main village road has been shut for more than a week while Thames Water fits a new manhole cover.

The water company apologised for closing Station Road in Brize Norton until Thursday, February 8.

A spokeswoman said the new manhole cover in the West Oxfordshire village would provide easier access to the company's sewer network.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire: Sewage discharged for thousands of hours

“This will help speed up investigations when we receive reports of blockages and flooding,” she added.

A diversion route is signposted in the area.

With 15 million customers, Thames Water is Britain’s largest water company, but faces an uncertain future after accruing a £14bn debt pile.

Oxford Mail: Thames Water has shut the road until February 8

It has also been criticised for discharging thousands of hours of sewage into Oxfordshire waterways last year.

The company said all discharges were “unacceptable” and plans to upgrade over 250 of its sewage treatment works and sewers.