It has scarcely been open four months, but already the Peters Bridge across the Medway at Wouldham is to close for repairs.

It transpires that the bridge contractors Bam Nuttall fitted incorrect expansion joints at both ends of the multi-million pounds bridge roadway deck and footpaths.

A spokesman for Trenport, the company which commissioned the bridge over the Medway to facilitate its creation of the 1,000-home Peters Village development, said: “The expansion joints are designed to allow movement between sections of the bridge, due to traffic weight and temperature variations.

“There is absolutely no danger to the public from having the incorrect joints in place, but it could affect the long-term life of the bridge so, reluctantly, we have to allow BAM Nuttall to address the issue as quickly as possible.

“The bridge was subject to regular progress inspections by Kent County Council, so we are currently investigating why this oversight was not picked up during building work and before the bridge opened.

“Naturally, Trenport is disappointed that this avoidable remedial work is needed and appreciates that closure of the bridge to all traffic - including walkers and cyclists - will cause delay and inconvenience to the many who have benefited from using this new Medway crossing.”

A KCC spokesman said: “The bridge has not yet been adopted by the Highway Authority and remains the responsibility of the developer, Trenport.

“As the highway is not adopted, KCC do not have authority to insist the road is closed to carry out these works and they have been planned according to the developer’s and contractor’s requirements.

“In dealing with all developer funded projects, KCC always act to maximise the value of the development for the highway user and minimise potential future maintenance bills for the taxpayer being incurred.

“KCC are working closely with the developer to ensure the issue is suitably rectified and these works are being carried out at no cost to the taxpayer.

“By way of background, KCC was employed by the developer to inspect the bridge works, however the developer opened the bridge to traffic before all remedial works had been completed as approved by KCC.

“It is clearly not desirable that the bridge expansion joints require replacement, however, not enough information was provided to KCC prior to their installation.

“It was only when we raised the issue with the developer’s consultant that it was determined the expansion joints installed did not meet the design criteria."

The bridge will be closed for a week starting next Monday.

The bridge cost £18.9m to build and links the new housing to Snodland and Halling.

It was opened with great ceremony in September last year by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Viscount De L’Isle, with speeches by the leader of Tonbridge and Malling council, Cllr Nicolas Heslop, and the KCC cabinet member for transport, Cllr Matthew Balfour.