Villagers living around Maidstone found themselves trapped today when Kent Highways shut three bridges.

East Farleigh bridge, Teston bridge and Wateringbury bridges were all closed to traffic for level crossing maintenance.

One resident who came up against the barricades was Jacky Taylor of West Farleigh.

The 68-year-old was driving back home with her husband after spending the night away when she encountered the road blocks.

She said: "I'd seen an advance notice about East Farleigh a few weeks ago and then last week noticed Teston was being closed so I thought I'd be clever and try to cross at Wateringbury. But that was closed, too. I couldn't believe it.

"I thought I was going to have to drive through Maidstone and through Tovil. It effectively closed off three villages.

"It was ridiculous planning. I have emailed Kent Highways complaining about the lack of thought.

"If the A26 at Barming hadn't opened today after having its sinkhole repaired the whole place would have been gridlocked.

"There weren't even diversions. If you don't know your way around here you'd be stuck. I saw lots of cars giving up and turning round.

"Luckily, I returned to East Farleigh and pleaded with the railway workers who let me through. I really don't know what Kent Highways were thinking of allowing this. The work should have been staggered over three weekends.

"Do they expect us to stay indoors all Sunday watching TV?

"Knowing that the works were being done by the railway I expect they were just sweeping leaves off the line."

There were online alerts from roadworks.org to temporary road closures at Bow Hill, Nettlestead (Wateringbury level crossing) from 1am Sunday and at Teston Lane.

One frustrated motorist who was turned back at East Farleigh bridge wrote: "No diversions or signs whatsoever until you actually get to the bridge."