Drivers could be facing chaos for the next month as a main road is set to close for gas works.

SGN is shutting the A26 Tonbridge Road in Maidstone for up to six weeks from Tuesday, July 23 to replace its old gas mains and services with a new plastic pipe.

The company says this will ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area.

However, the closure between the junctions with Stanford Drive and Oakwood Road is expected to cause significant disruption just as schools break up for the summer holidays.

Motorists will instead have to follow a signed diversion via the A20 London Road and Queens Road - adding an extra two miles onto their journeys.

A section of Tonbridge Road was also closed this time last summer after a huge sinkhole opened up outside the Taj Barming Indian restaurant.

Repairs ended up taking five months at a cost of £1 million before it finally reopened to traffic in October.

At the same time as the works on the A26, SGN is also planning to upgrade the gas network on the A228 Malling Road in Mereworth for four weeks from Monday, July 29.

A spokesman for SGN said: "We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. However, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years.

"This means that when the work is complete, people will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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