Six weeks of major roadworks will start today.

South East water intend to replace a troublesome water main that is buried beneath the A249, which links Maidstone to Sittingbourne.

Work will begin on the Sittingbourne- bound carriageway, between the Hayes Lane and Steps Hill Road junction, at 5am.

This will see one lane closed every day from 5am to 3pm every day for five weeks. A 50mph speed limit will also be in place at all times.

Between 3pm and 5am the inside lane will be narrowed, although the outside lane will be unaffected.

Two weeks of work will also take place on the Maidstone-bound carriageway from Monday, February 2 between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

This will see a one lane closure and a speed limit of 50mph enforced between Steps Hill Road and Stockbury.

These will be in place from 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

Outside of these times both lanes will be open.

A one week temporary road closure on Steps Hill Road will begin on Monday, February 16.

This is the third time South East Water have tried to the upgrade old and unreliable water main.

The £240,000 project will see 710 metres of old water pipe replaced with a new and tougher plastic one.

Last year the Company tried to replace it twice, once in January then again in September.

These projects had to be called off because traffic problems in the area put extra pressure on the major road which meant work had to be stopped.

Dave Tomsett, chairman of Stockbury Parish Council, said: “We are keen to ensure this water main is replaced as soon as possible to stop residents of our village going without water when the pipeline bursts.

“When bursts occur there is then further disruption to motorists on the A249 while repairs are carried out, something we are keen to avoid.”