Highways bosses have apologised after extending roadworks for an extra two weeks along a busy commuter route.

The A228 Four Elms Hill headed towards Strood from the Hoo Peninsula has already been partially closed for more than a month.

The scheduled roadworks are to widen an existing shared footway and cycle path.

One lane headed southbound has been shut since August 7 for the last four weeks.

This has caused longer delays for drivers travelling towards the Medway City Estate and Strood from the approach to the Peninsula Way Roundabout through to the Four Elms Roundabout.

It was set to finish around Monday this week.

However, this afternoon Medway Council issued a statement on Facebook, detailing the extension of the works and thanking residents for their patience.

It said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay to the footpath and cycle path improvement works on Four Elms Hill.

“They are now due to be completed on Saturday, September 16, two weeks later than anticipated.

“To keep Medway moving, a number of works were scheduled to take place over the summer holidays.

“Unfortunately, this placed a strain on our contractor, which along with unforeseen circumstances, led to the delay.

“We are continuing to regularly speak with our contractor to ensure these essential works are completed as quickly as possible.”

The lane closure towards Strood will remain in place until work has been completed.

Medway Council says removing the restrictions overnight would “cause further delays”.

The statement added: “Once completed, these works will improve facilities for residents walking and cycling along one of our most important routes, and will help us continue to deliver our ambitions for a clean, green and sustainable Medway.”

Some residents and motorists were not happy with the extension, and expressed their frustrations under the post.

Joanne Warren commented: “It’s been an absolute shambles from start to finish.

‘Once completed, these works will improve facilities for residents walking and cycling along one of our most important routes...’

“Spending this amount of money on a path that is barely used. Causing upset to local residents who are missing work, school and hospital appointments to name just a few!

“Why wait till this week to add more men to the job? It was obvious weeks ago it wasn’t going to get finished.”

Kelly Baskerville said: “What an absolute joke! You have caused absolute chaos to improve a pathway for bikes and people walking?

“Yet in all the years I’ve lived on the peninsula I have never seen enough people using it to warrant this level of carnage!”