Motorists will need to change their travel plans over the school half-term as a vital crossing will be closed for eight days.

Kingsferry Bridge, which connects the Isle of Sheppey with the mainland, will close for important repairs from 10pm on Friday, October 25 until 5am on Sunday, November 3.

Commuters in Sheppey and Sittingbourne are advised to use the parallel Sheppey Crossing instead.

During this time, Network Rail will complete the replacement of the 40 steel ropes which lift the bridge for shipping.

Although the rope replacement was not planned until 2026, it had to be urgently brought forward after scans revealed the ropes had degraded.

Network Rail said if the work wasn’t done before winter there was a risk the ropes could fail, resulting in a bridge closure for a much longer period.

The lifting ropes in the Kingsferry Bridge towers and the counterweight ropes that balance the bridge deck when it lifts were replaced over a series of closures in June and July.

The fresh closures are so the lifting ropes in the Kent Towers can be replaced.

As a result of the eight-day closure, motorists are being advised to plan ahead, leave more time to travel and drive at quieter times of the day.

Buses will also replace trains for the week during repair work.

David Davidson, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, said: “We know there’s never a good time to close the Kingsferry Bridge.

“It’s vitally important to rail passengers, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, commercial shipping and leisure boats.

“The local road network is busy with holiday traffic in summer and school and commuter traffic, as well as road freight the rest of the year.

“During the October half-term around nine in 10 schools in the area are closed, meaning that the roads will be quieter, and people will generally have more flexibility with their travel plans.”

To reduce congestion during the work, Network Rail and the county council have agreed that traffic management from the northbound A249 will be temporarily removed.

There will also be free vehicle recovery from Cowsted Corner to Bobbing Roundabout, and shuttle buses will be in place for rail passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and 50cc moped and motorbike users.

It has also been agreed that non-emergency roadworks in the area will be turned down while the Kingsferry Bridge is closed.

David said: “We are sorry for the disruption people will face, but we have no other option but to get the ropes replaced now.

“We’re fully aware that many people can’t change their travel plans, but if you can shop locally, car share, travel outside of peak times or work from home for the week, please do, as this will make journeys easier for people who have no other option but to travel."

Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s operations and safety director said: “Online journey planners are up to date, and you can also visit our website for more detailed information.

“Thanks for bearing with us over the summer and again for this final time while the essential repairs to the Kingsferry Bridge are completed.”

During the closures, the bridge will be closed to motorists, rail passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and all maritime traffic, including jet skis and other leisure craft.