A busy stretch of road will be partially closed for more than a month due to emergency gas works.

Two lanes of the Chatham-bound A229 on Blue Bell Hill could be shut for up to seven weeks.

SGN has been carrying out the emergency repairs since Sunday, November 6, near Chatham Road slip road.

Two lanes of three are closed on the Chatham-bound carriageway from today.

Motorists faced delays and long queues tailing back to the bottom of the hill during rush hour this morning, causing congestion on the Running Horse Roundabout.

The roadworks are to replace 180m of metallic mains with a modern plastic pipe.

SGN says this will "prevent disruptive repairs in future and ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply".

A spokesman from the company said: "As part of this project we may also need to close lanes in the southbound carriageway, however this will not be done at the same time as northbound.

"We understand this is a busy route, so please leave extra time for your journey.

"We’ll be working seven days a week to ensure this project is completed as quickly and safely as possible.

They add that the repairs will be completed in six to seven weeks.