The Sheppey Crossing has reopened after planned maintenance finished.

Tailbacks built up yesterday on A249 as the road was closed between the Kingsferry Bridge slip roads and Cowstead Corner roundabout. Traffic was diverted via the Kingsferry Bridge.

Road users travelling in the opposite direction were not affected.

Despite road signs in the vicinity many motorists were caught by surprise.

On Saturday lunchtime one driver reported taking around 20 minutes to move less than a mile as tailbacks stretched from Bobbing to Cowstead Corner on the island.

Resurfacing of the A249 began on the northbound carriageway at 7am and should be finished by 11am on Sunday.

The work was started in November but stopped due to bad weather.

Kevin Bown, Highways Agency asset manager, said: "The work we are doing will help to reduce the likelihood of unplanned closures in the future."