A KEY section of Maidstone's one-way system will be closed overnight for six weeks from Monday (July 28).

Sections of Lower Stone Street, Upper Stone Street and Sheals Crescent will be shut off from 7pm to 7am while the roads are resurfaced.

The plans have angered residents of Willington Street, which has been included by the Kent County Council in a lengthy diversion route for traffic.

Motorists heading south from the town centre at night will be asked to follow a lengthy route along Romney Place, Mote Road, Wat Tyler Way, Ashford Road and Willington Street to avoid the roadworks.

The works are intended to make the roads smoother for motorists and quieter for residents and are due to be finished in early September.

Jenny Sutton, of Willington Street and a member of the campaigning group Willact, said: "We are wondering why the B2163 through Leeds is not included as an alternative route for private cars and light vehicles. I understand that there is a lorry ban there but we are upset that it was completely omitted from the route."

Willact campaigners claim that Willington Street is already dangerously busy. Mrs Sutton said: "It is hard to know what difference this will make. We will just have to wait and see. But it will mean extra traffic and anything extra is unwelcome."

KCC said the published diversion route was intended for lorries and had been designed to avoid narrow roads.

A spokesman said: "It is a safety issue. The diversion is an advised route for lorries to ensure they do not go on the minor roads around Maidstone.

"It is anticipated that local people will know the roads and will find their own routes which are most appropriate to their needs." He added: "We have tried to cause as little disruption as possible with these works. They are being done at night time to minimise their impact."

A full timetable of road closures is not available but Lower Stone Street will be shut between Monday, July 28, and Sunday, August 3; Wednesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 21; and Wednesday, August 27, and Friday, August 29.

During the work the junction of Knightrider Street and Lower Stone Street will also be blocked.

Knightrider Street will temporarily be made a two-way road between Priory Road and the Stone Street junction to allow access for businesses and residents.

A hotline has been set up by KCC contractors Babtie to give residents up-to-date information on the works, on 01622 666126. Information is also available on KCC's website at www.kent.gov.uk/maidstoneresurfacing