A new traffic trial to relieve huge tailbacks on the Lower Road at Minster has been abandoned at the last minute.

Kent Highways had planned to introduce a no right turn experiment at the bottom of Barton Hill Drive from today (Friday) so Minster motorists going to Neats Court shopping centre, Sheerness, or off the Island had to turn left and go round the roundabout at the bottom of Thistle Hill Way near the Sheppey Rugby Club ground.

But as drivers braced themselves this morning nothing changed. Bewildered motorists discovered there were no diversion signs as expected.

Scroll down for video

This afternoon Kent County Council confirmed the experiment had been axed without warning, although posters remained in place on traffic lights.

A spokesman said today: “This traffic trial is no longer going ahead. We are now looking into a different trial but we are not sure when it will be implemented.

We will need to apply for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). We will let you know when we know.”

Video: The Sheppey traffic trial is no longer going ahead

KCC Highways had insisted a temporary solution was needed until a £2 million roundabout was built to replace traffic lights at Barton Hill Drive.

At the moment, Sheppey’s roads are gridlocked most of the day and particularly during the rush hour from 3pm because of new housing estates at Minster, increased traffic from the Island’s three prisons at Eastchurch and holidaymakers visiting Leysdown.

The tailbacks jam the two Cowsted Corner roundabouts and lead to delays at Halfway and Sheerness.

Objectors to the trial had warned the short-term measure would only lead to confusion, further delays and road rage.

The seven-week trial was scheduled to last until Friday September 30.

* Islanders will face further traffic woes from Monday (August 15) when Peel Ports begin repairing the road where railway lines cross the Brielle Way at Blue Town. Temporary traffic lights will be in operation from 8am to 5pm.It follows an incident last month when retired headmaster Martin Webb, 70, had three front teeth knocked out when he came off his cycle on the uneven tracks which used to link the former steel mill with Sheerness Docks.Work is scheduled to last five days.