Tonbridge town centre - always busy with traffic at the best of times - is facing more congestion next month.

The Tonbridge Little Bridge in the centre of the High Street is suffering a failure of its water-proofing membrane, which needs to be addressed before the water causes corrosion to the bridge structure.

As a result, Kent Highways intends to work on the bridge for three weeks starting on March 10.

The bridge carries traffic over the Botany Stream.

A spokesman said: “It is unfortunate but if the defects in the waterproofing membrane are not repaired, it will lead to the premature failure of the bridge, causing the road to be closed.”

While the work is carried out, the road will remain open to northbound traffic, but southbound traffic will be diverted via Bordyke, Hadlow Road, Cannon Lane and Vale Road.

One footway across the bridge will be open to pedestrians at all times and access to the properties and shops along the High Street will be unaffected during the works.

Any queries to KCC Highways on 0300 333 5539.