Eggs, golf balls, cream cakes and CD cases are just some of the items being thrown at workmen by frustrated Kent motorists.

Such has been the abuse to South East Water workmen they now work in ‘cage-like’ conditions.

The workers have put up a temporary fence around themselves as they carry out emergency work on a water main on London Road,(stretch of the A26) Southborough, to avoid being hit by irksome motorists.

Drivers have been pelting workmen with all sorts of objects and hurling verbal abuse at them as they manually operate the traffic lights to ease congestion.

In his 30 years working in the water industry, Graham Webb, South East Water’s infrastructure manager, has never heard anything like it.

He said: “It’s the first time I have come across this sort of reaction of motorists to the workforce which is one of the reasons why we have put up the protective fencing to avoid them being hit by missiles thrown by the motorists.”

One workman on some occasions is so scared he has resorted to staying in his van to operate the lights.

Mr Webb added: “The traffic light controls are close to the edge of the van so we position it as close as possible so the worker can reach out the van and operate the lights. This is to avoid abuse and being hit by eggs and all sorts.

“We understand motorists’ frustration but these are essential works that has got to be carried out and we are trying to complete the work as quick as possible.”

South East Water also stressed that motorists are jumping the traffic lights and driving through the site’s working area, which is putting themselves and the company’s contractors at considerable risk.

A spokesman from South East Water said: “While we have always acknowledged the frustration caused by delays this sort of behaviour is clearly dangerous and so we are concerned someone will get hurt.

“It is also unacceptable that our staff and contractors should have to put up with this sort of verbal and physical abuse when they are trying to get on with the job of replacing a water main to ensure our customers have a secure water supply and further bursts and flooding are minimised.”

South East Water is continuing to liaise with the police and are actively reporting any further incidents when they occur.

It is costing the water firm £500,000 to lay the new 1km pipeline on the A26 London Road and work is aimed to be finished by mid- November.