Water works on the A249 are overrunning for 10 days because of Operation Stack.

South East Water started replacing a troublesome water pipe that has burst five times in recent years on January 12.

Since then 730 metres of a new main have been installed and work on the first phase of work was due to last five weeks.

However, the company have had to suspend work twice - once for two days and then for eight days.

Chris Love, delivery manager at South East Water, said: “If we had not suspended work for those 10 days while Operation Stack was in place we would have been on schedule to complete our work on time, however we are now overrunning by 10 days.

“I apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause, but I would like to reassure motorists that our contractor is working hard to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.”

The first phase of the £240,000 project is being carried out on the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway, between the Hayes Lane and Steps Hill Road junctions.

It has seen one lane closed every day from 5am to 3pm and a 50mph limit in place at all times.

Phase two of the scheme, which was due to start at the beginning of the month, will start on Monday.

This will take place on the Maidstone-bound carriageway for two weeks.

During this time a lane closure, which comes with a 50mph limit between Steps Hill Road and Stockbury, will be enforced from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Outside of these times both lanes will be open.

Steps Hill Road will remain closed until a week after the other works finish.

Last year, South East Water tried to replace the pipes twice – once in January, then again in September – but work was called off when traffic problems put extra pressure on the key route, which links the M20 and M2.