Home owners and dog walkers living near emergency gas works say they're ''frightened'' of motorists using country lanes as diversions.

Unplanned roadworks are seeing three lanes merge into one on Blue Bell Hill between Maidstone and Medway.

The emergency repairs, which began on the A229 on November 6, are causing tailbacks for commuters and some are cutting down country lanes to avoid the traffic.

But some people who live on these lanes say they now feel unsafe to walk along them, knowing there are drivers not familiar with the twists and turns of the routes. As a result, they say they feel trapped in their homes.

Suzanna Bailes lives in the area.

She said: "From about 2.30pm through to about 7pm, with the worst being between the hours of 5pm and 7pm, you are, in effect, housebound.

"You cannot get out onto the road in either direction.

"I feel frightened when I'm walking the dog because there's no protection for me as a pedestrian. People drive at insane speeds."

In a statement, highways authority Kent County Council said it had liaised with other organisations to ensure a proper traffic management plan was in place, but it was impossible to prevent disruption.

Cllr Des Keers (Con), who represents Aylesford North and Walderslade on Tonbridge and Malling council and is also cabinet member for community services, said: "There are the huge A249 closures and bizarrely Blue Bell Hill is the diversionary route for that.

"Not only is it causing disruption but people are sitting in the traffic for a good hour or so when it used to be free flowing, almost."

In a statement, gas company SGN – which is responsible for the roadworks – said it was committed to completing the work as soon as possible, but the lanes would have to stay closed.

Work is hoped to be completed by this Sunday.

Coach driver Tim Lindup said: "It's very frustrating.

"Traffic can be delayed by 40 minutes when it goes into one lane. I've driven past it a few times and I think they can make the cones a bit less draconian."