Emergency repairs to a gas main that are causing lengthy travel delays on a busy route should be completed soon, but that will not be the end of the disruption.

SGN has been working “around the clock” to fix a gas leak in Bearsted Road, Maidstone, since Monday night and as a result the carriageway is reduced to one lane with four-way traffic lights in operation outside the Vinters Park Crematorium.

The road is a key route between the A249 and the M20 at Junction 7, and the New Cut Road, giving access to the Newnham Court Shopping Village and the KIMS Hospital in one direction, and the crematorium, M&S, Next and the Orida Hotel in the other.

Some motorists have reported journeys through the area taking more than an hour longer than usual.

SGN said today: “We're continuing emergency repairs to our medium-pressure gas main in Bearsted Road.

“To keep everyone safe around our work area we've installed temporary four-way traffic lights.

“It's too soon to say how long it will take to locate and repair this leak at this stage.

“We're aware that this is a traffic-sensitive area and our engineering team is working around the clock to complete repairs as quickly as possible.”

KCC Highways has granted an initial closure licence until Christmas Eve.

However, disruption in the area will continue in the New Year, thanks to other utility works.

Spot Lane is due to be closed to through traffic over its entire length, on Friday, January 10.

The closure will permit KCC to raise ironwork in the carriageway.

Meanwhile, the continuing planned upgrades to the gas pipe network in the area will see Weavering Street closed to through traffic for three months starting on January 2. The work will progress in sections along the road until March 31.

Similarly, Fauchons Lane will be closed to through traffic from January 2 until February 28, between No 53 and the junction with Aviemore Gardens.

Gore Court Road in nearby Otham, will be closed from Monday, January 13, until Monday, March 10, to allow KCC to carry out highway improvements.

Finally, Openreach will close Merton Road for four days from Monday, January 20, between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm.

The road will be closed between Nos 182 and 190, with an alternative route via Tydeman Road.