Parts of the Sheppey Crossing will be closed for the next two weeks while resurfacing work is carried out.

Damage to the road surface at either end of the bridge, which has been caused by changes in the ground level since the crossing opened to traffic in 2006, is being repaired.

Work started today and is due to be completed by Monday, March 14.

The Highways Agency said repairs of this type are normal when large structures such as the Sheppey Crossing are built in marshland conditions like those found on the Swale coastline, and will help keep journeys on the A249 safe for the 28,000 drivers that use the bridge every day.

Most of the work will be carried out daily, under a single off-peak lane closure in one direction over the bridge.

However, two weekend closures of the bridge - one in each direction – will be required while full-depth resurfacing of the road is carried out.

From today, lane one of the Sheppey-bound carriageway will be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm until Friday.

Then, from 8pm on Friday , the Sheppey-bound carriageway will be closed until 6am on Monday, March 7, with traffic diverted over the Kingsferry Bridge.

The following week, work will move to the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway where lane one will be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm each day between Monday, March 7 and Friday, March 11.

That weekend, between 8pm on Friday and 6am on Monday, March 14, the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway will be closed with traffic diverted via the Kingsferry Bridge.

Highways Agency project manager Arvind Ranpuria said: “Since the Sheppey Crossing opened in 2006 it has made a real difference to people living and working on the Isle of Sheppey.

“This important work will help us keep the road in good condition, and has been carefully planned to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.”

All restrictions will be removed outside working hours.