A collapsed manhole cover is causing long delays for drivers commuting towards Maidstone this morning.

The hazard has closed one lane of the Maidstone-bound carriageway of the A249 Detling Hill, between Scragged Oak Lane and Pilgrims Way.

It caused rush hour queues stretching back to the Stocksbury roundabout.

It will be shut while emergency repairs are carried out.

Kent Highways has warned drivers to allow extra time for their journeys.

It is the second time in a week engineers have been called to the area. On Friday the same lane was closed while repairs took place on another collapsed manhole cover.