DETAILS of the traffic diversions and bus route changes that will operate while an historic bridge is closed have been announced.

Motorists are likely to face long delays when the Town Bridge, Yalding, near Maidstone, shuts to all traffic for up to eight weeks from January 8, to allow an ageing cast iron gas main that runs across it to be replaced.

Southern Gas Networks has said there was no alternative to closing the single carriageway 450ft long bridge to enable the work to be carried out safely. Pedestrian access will still be allowed.

Northbound traffic will be diverted via the B2162 Lees Road to Hampstead Lane, B2015 Maidstone Road, Bow Road, A26 Tonbridge Road, B2163 Teston Lane, B2010 Lower Road, Smiths Hill and Yalding Hill. Southbound traffic will take the same route.

All vehicles with a maximum gross weight of more than 7.5 tonnes will also be barred from using Mill Lane.

Arriva is having to make changes to the 23 and 26 bus routes – both of which normally cross the bridge.

Route 23 from Maidstone to the Woolpack pub at Benover, via East and West Farleigh and Yalding will terminate at the war memorial at the junction of Vicarage Road and the High Street in Yalding. There will be no service between Yalding and the Woolpack during the works and passengers will need to make their own arrangements to cover this section of this route.

A temporary 26A bus will operate at the same times as currently between Maidstone and Yalding via Hunton, but will terminate at Yalding war memorial.

The 26 service will run from Maidstone to Goudhurst, using the diversionary route detailed above. It will run non-stop between Maidstone and the Twyford bridge at Yalding.

For more details of bus route changes call 01622 690577 or log on to www.arriva.co.uk