People are being warned a series of bridge closures will be for longer than expected this summer.

The Kingsferry Bridge is used by motorists, pedestrians and rail passengers to travel to and from the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent.

Built in its current form by British Rail in 1960, the vertical-lift bridge is the only route trains can use to get across The Swale.

However, it is to shut across two entire weekends and two nine-day periods throughout June and July.

KentOnline previously reported the closures were in place for the same number of weekends and also for two eight-day periods.

However, Network Rail has now confirmed a closure planned from June 16 until June 22 has been rescheduled to late July.

It says the changes are being made to avoid a clash with school exams plus the Chase the Sun bike ride on June 22.

It says emergency repairs need to be carried out to 40 steel ropes, which support the bridge when it lifts for maritime traffic.

They have deteriorated and all 40 need replacing.

The bridge – which was used to shoot scenes in The Beekeeper, starring Hollywood actor Jason Statham, which was released in January – will be closed to pedestrians, cyclists, rail, road and maritime traffic.

The first set of closures is from 10pm on Friday, June 7 until 5am on Monday, June 10.

This will be followed by nine solid days of closing, from Friday, June 28 until Sunday, July 7.

Further closures will take place from Friday, July 12 until Monday, July 15, plus nine full days from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 28.

All closures will start at 10pm on the first day and finish at 5am on the last.

The last trains will depart the Island at around midnight on Fridays when it shuts.

First trains will run from approximately 5.43am on the days when the bridge reopens.

Network Rail’s Kent route director, David Davidson, said: “We’ve taken the difficult decision to reschedule the work that was due to take place from June 16 to 22, to late July.

“Rescheduling the work means that students can get to their exams without being disrupted by the Kingsferry Bridge closure.

"It also means the Chase the Sun bike ride, involving thousands of people, can go ahead and participants and support staff can get to and from the Island safely via rail.

“While changing the dates of one of the closure weeks removes some challenges, we know that the other planned closures of Kingsferry Bridge, combined with the impact of existing roadworks in the area, still mean longer journeys for people coming to and from Sheppey.

"We’re working closely with Southeastern, National Highways, Kent County Council, Swale council and emergency services to manage the impact on local people and services.”

Meanwhile, Southeastern’s operations and safety director, Scott Brightwell, added: “We want to get our customers where they need to be during the bridge closures, and a regular bus service will be running between Sheerness, Queenborough and Kemsley stations.

“It will take a bit longer by road and our advice is to check before you travel and leave more time for your journey. I’d also like to thank our customers in advance for bearing with us while this essential safety work is carried out.”

Previously, Mr Davidson said the closures will be "very inconvenient" for users, but says the work needs to be done for people's safety.

He explained: “Kingsferry Bridge is a vital link for the people of Sheppey and essential for the movement of billions of pounds worth of goods by shipping each year.

"We know the closure is going to be very inconvenient and have explored a wide range of options for replacing the ropes, but this is the least disruptive for people in Sheppey and shipping.

“We simply can’t delay the work any longer, due to the risk of a failure closing the bridge without warning."

The train operator says people in Sheppey and north east Kent should plan trips in advance before the works begin.

Southeastern is arranging alternative travel for those using the trains.