Drivers say they are facing delays of an hour due to the closure of the Sheppey Crossing and roadworks for a major motorway upgrade.

Maintenance crews are working on the bridge, which has been closed Maidstone-bound, while the A249 is down to one lane at Stockbury as part of the ongoing M2 J5 improvement works.

Driver William Stone said he was attempting to travel from Sheppey to Ashford but had been been stuck in traffic for more than an hour this morning.

He criticised the co-ordination of roadworks, which had led to two seperate closures on the road at the same time.

"They've decided to close the new bridge coming from the Isle of Sheppey and at the same time the A249 is down to one lane just a few miles down the road.

"It's absolute chaos, we've been moving about one mile and an hour, and I've been stuck in it since the old bridge."

It is not yet known why the bridge has been closed but pictures showed a bridge expansion joint unit truck parked up on the carriageway.

Drivers have been told to use the old crossing via the Kings Ferry bridge to rejoin the A249.

National Highways says the A249 is due to be fully closed southbound, between the Stockbury roundabout and Maidstone from 9pm to 5am tonight and tomorrow night.

Lane closures will also be in place on the same stretch during the day, with further lane closures tonight between Bobbing and the Stockbury from 8pm to 5am.

The A249 is fully closed northbound between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing today until 9pm, and tomorrow from 9am to 5pm.

Lane closures will also be in place between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing from 8pm to 5am tonight and tomorrow night.

National Highways has been approached for further information on the closure of the Sheppey Crossing.