Engineers are set to work through the night in a rush to fix a burst water main outside Twickenham station before 82,000 rugby fans descend on the town tomorrow.

Thames Water and Richmond Council workers have been assessing the damaged pavement in London Road, as firefighters pumped flooding in nearby Cole Park Road.

Motorists face major disruption after police closed the A316 at about 3.30pm this afternoon.

Officers said they were concerned about the safety of rugby fans attending tomorrow's England vs New Zealand game at Twickenham stadium.

Sergeant Tom Knox, of Twickenham Police, said: “At the moment we are trying to find out if emergency work needs to be done, and we’re working out the logistics of people coming home and access.

“We were worried initially about the houses but we are no longer worried about them. We’ve got to make sure the road tomorrow is safe and secure.

“At the moment I’ve been told this carriageway maybe shut tonight for emergency repairs.”

Cars in Cole Park Road were tyre-deep in water and drains were blocked with sand and sediment that washed down the street.

Residents, who had to put their wellies on to walk out their homes, said the flooding started at about 2pm and continued for about an hour until the emergency services arrived.

A pensioner, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw the water coming out of the pavement, but it was only six to eight inches really. It was the volume of the water that was the problem though.

“I think it was coming out of the ground for about an hour-and-a-half or so.”

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: "We working to fix a 12-inch burst water main on London Road.

"We are hoping to get it repaired overnight and apologise for any inconvenience this has caused."