Drivers returning to work and school after the Christmas and New Year holiday faced traffic chaos this morning.

Those driving into Maidstone reported lengthy delays, with traffic at a near standstill along the A229 from Linton to Maidstone town centre and in most surrounding roads. One driver abandoned his car in College Avenue and walked to the town centre.

From the other direction, there were long queues from Royal Engineers Road and through Fairmeadow. Some motorists took up to 45 minutes to cross from one side of town to the other.

Roadworks on the Loose Road, at the Armstrong Road/Park Way junction, are thought to be the main cause of the gridlock.