Motorists have spoken about how the closures of Strood High Street have caused the town to come to a standstill.

This weekend marks the first of 10 weekends in which the High Street will be closed so that developers can replace paving blocks.

It is due to be closed from 8pm on Friday to 5.30am on Monday every weekend from this week onwards.

Bus routes have been diverted and diversion signs have been put up.

But motorists have complained that this has caused traffic to back up along the routes surrounding the High Street.

Colin Tyler, who lives in Strood, missed his train into London as he was trying to navigate his way around the traffic.

He said: "There's no way out of Strood. We are trying to get to the station and we have followed the diversions signs take you into the retail park.

"Cuxton Road is closed, Commercial Road is closed, we were forced to go along Priory Road.

"All the roads to bypass Strood are closed.

"I was headed to a festival in Camden which starts at 1pm but I've missed my train now."

Simon O' Rourke shared his opinion on Facebook:"Unless getting to B&M's in Strood is a matter of life or death, I would avoid. Unless you like the inside of you car and have nothing better to do all day."

Justin Lloyd, who lives in nearby Weston Road, filmed a lorry trying to get through in the traffic.

He said: "Medway council have not considered the impact on surrounding areas of closing London Road, Gun Lane, and Cuxton Road at the same time as closing the High Street.

"Closing more than one of these roads at the same time as the High Street causes all local traffic to travel through Weston Road - and it is just too narrow to take that volume of traffic.

"Medway Council have posted a diversion but the diversion is so far out of the way that drivers are simply ignoring it and cutting through Weston Road, which isn't built to cope."

Messenger reporter Rachel Dixon who visited Strood by foot said: "It's ridiculous, it's awful. It's like all these cars are jamming into each other."

Portfolio holder for frontline services, Cllr Phil Filmer (Con), said: “The transformation of Strood town centre is a very exciting project.

“We have worked closely with businesses during the improvement works and have kept them updated as the work progressed. We are also carrying out the transformation works in phases to minimise disruption.

“The transformation project aims to boost economic growth, provide new jobs in the town and create a place where people are proud to live, work, learn and visit.” Other works in Strood, to transform Strood Waterfront for future development, are nearing completion.

The council has invested in flood defences to regenerate the former civic centre and Strood Riverside brownfield sites for future residential-led development.

Strood Waterfront will be transformed with more than 1,000 new homes, including affordable housing, businesses and public spaces.

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