People are planning to leave work early after roadworks left drivers stranded for several hours on an industrial estate last night.

Drivers working on the Medway City Estate, in Strood, were stuck due to traffic which tailed all the way back from Strood town centre.

The journey to Rochester Bridge, which usually takes 10 minutes, took some drivers two hours.

It seems the delays were caused by temporary traffic lights at Station Road while council contractors carry out road improvements as part of the Strood Town Centre Project.

The lights appeared to be out of sync and only let about three cars at a time through to Rochester Bridge or over towards the retail park.

This meant traffic was gridlocked for two miles between the bridge and Sir Thomas Longley Road.

Some company bosses on the estate are now planning to let their workers out early and continue shifts from home.

Dee Ford, managing director of surveyors Michael Parkes, said: "I've got someone leaving the office at 12.30, she's going to report back and if it's bad I'm just going to let people leave and work from home.

"It is just not fair, people have children to look after.

"We're lucky because we can work from home, but other businesses are not as fortunate and have to stay in the office and will be stuck again.

"I've tried to contact Medway Council for an update but they seem to be ignoring me.

"The council are leaving us high and dry."

According to Medway Council's website the temporary lights will be there for three weeks until August 20.

Medway Council’s Assistant Director of Frontline Services Ruth Du-Lieu said: “We are aware that there was an issue with the temporary traffic lights at the Commercial Road and Station Road junction in Strood last night (Tuesday, July 30).

“As soon as we became aware a signal engineer attended site to monitor and make adjustments.

"Further changes have been made today (Wednesday) and additional warning signs are being put in place in and around the surrounding area to advise motorists of possible delays and to provide opportunities to take other routes.

"An engineer will be on site today and tomorrow to monitor traffic flow.

“The works are being carried out in the school holidays to help minimise disruption. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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