Frustrated business owners, residents, motorists and bus passengers say "completely chaotic and disorganised" roadworks are causing gridlock amid diversions.

The partial closure of Chatham's Luton Road and Luton High Street has meant five different bus routes are on diversion.

The end of Luton Road which connects to Luton High Street was shut on July 25 for four weeks and then there will be temporary traffic lights until September 2. The work is to add in road safety measures such as speed bumps.

Medway Council, which is charge of highways across the Towns, says it asks firms to carry out works outside of peak travel times and during the summer holidays, where possible, to minimise disruption.

But businesses say they have lost over half their customers, blaming the lack of access and "road closed" signs making it unclear that shops are open.

Hayward Motor Group is directly next to the road closure. Owner Graham Hayward said: "I find it hard to believe Medway Council can close Luton Road at the entrance to your business and expect business to go on as usual.

"When you challenge the council for help you get brushed off. They said they would leave access to both entrances. They haven't done that.

"People absolutely think we're shut. There's a sign at the far end of the road that says businesses are open as usual but the signs close to us all say road ahead closed.

"People don't know we're open. And they can't get to us at all from the High Street.

"This is more than a challenge in an already challenging time. We just don't need the extra grief. It's impacted us very badly. It's knocked our sales down by half, and service-wise it's taken three quarters of our business out. It's costing us thousands per week.

"It will have a massive, lasting impact, too. The more that people avoid the road, they'll start to avoid it completely.

"You find a new route to work, cut it out of your routine. Even when the road is open again we won't get the same business."

Last year, the street was closed twice for resurfacing.

Plumbing and hardware suppliers Plum Bro's in Luton Road is also directly next to the roadworks. Owner Shaun Harris said: "We get no passing trade any more.

"The way it's been signposted, people think the whole road is closed and are turning away.

"It should be clear to the public what's open and what's not. There's only one sign up saying businesses are open as usual but when you come up to our entrance it says 'road ahead closed'.

"It's impacted us quite a bit, to be honest. It's a proper shambles. They also keep blocking the whole road off outside, so they've stopped deliveries and the public being able to come in."

Traffic is being diverted up Chatham Hill but that has faced delays because of temporary lights both near the Rock Avenue junction and Gillingham Park, as well as roadworks in Canterbury Street.

People have reported being late for work, appointments, and general daily commitments. And diversions on bus routes mean that many are delayed, with passengers who rely on them being left in the dark on whether the service will show up at all.

Gillingham resident Siana Mee, 26, from Gillingham, said: "I've lived in Medway for nearly 27 years and this is the worst I've ever seen it. I understand the improvements are necessary but the idea to start the roadworks all at the same time has caused nothing but problems for drivers all round Kent.

"For example, Canterbury Street in Gillingham had a backlog of four to five buses a few days ago causing issues up and around the corner. People were having to make risky U-turns as the roads were gridlocked and traffic was at a standstill.

"Emergency services are now facing delays as traffic is restricted from manoeuvring out of the way.

"It's completely chaotic and disorganised. Hopefully it will all be worth it."

Grange Road resident Martin Cork, 54, said it took his in-laws over an hour to drive from Gillingham to Chatham last week. He continued: "I'm a bus user and the problem is worse for us.

"It seems that Medway Council has given a free-for-all for the utility services plus broadband services being put into place. It's too much."

An Arriva spokesman said: "Numerous and extensive roadworks around the Medway Towns continue to have a huge impact on our buses.

"This has also not been helped by emergency road closures and diversions by some companies not being shared with our local team until after services have reached them."

This comes as the Unite union ballots 800 Arriva members in Kent and Essex tomorrow on whether they will strike over pay in September.

Ben Williams, 39, is one of many to vent their frustration on social media. He said: "I'm just using the motorways now until it's all over. Commuting to Maidstone is impossible without hitting some form of roadworks. The motorways are the only way."

Milton Road resident Grzegorz Olczyk, 40, said: "To get to Chatham, there's two ways – through the dockside and through the hill, which are already very busy. Now add in the roadworks. Luton Road is shut, so people going to Lordswood or Walderslade don't have any option but to stay in traffic."

Alex Constantinides, Medway Council’s head of highways and traffic, said: "We work closely with utility companies to ensure measures are in place to reduce disruption and keep traffic moving in Medway. This includes asking them to carry out works outside of peak travel times and during the summer holidays, where possible.

"Unfortunately, emergency roadworks, like Southern Water’s works in Gillingham High Street, can lead to delays.

"To minimise the impact of the works, bus companies and local businesses are told about the works as soon as possible.

"We apologise for any inconvenience the works may cause and thank motorists for their patience."