Delays are expected next week as a major route is to be controlled by temporary traffic lights for roadworks.

The signals will be in place along the Lower Road, near Wallend cottages, in Minster, Sheppey, 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday.

Engineers are due to lay drainage channels underneath the road.

A spokesman said they will work extended hours to try to keep the time the lights are needed to a minimum. They will be changed manually between 7am and 7pm each day to try to reduce queues.

If the roadworks run into the weekend, the lights will need to stay.

Up until now, contractors Breheny Civil Engineering have had temporary traffic lights at off-peak times only.

But due to the space needed to install the drainage pipes a temporary lane is being built.

Once these works are completed there will be no need for temporary lights until September, according to Breheny which is installing walking and cycling paths to part of the Lower Road.

Director of Sheppey taxi firm iCars, Tony Stevens, said he was prepared to take a hit if it meant improved journey times in the long run.

He said: "You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, it's for the greater good.

"At the end of the day it's just frustrating so many people tend to be negative about the development on the Island."

Elsewhere in Minster, residents in Noreen Avenue have already been experiencing disruption from today after their road was shut at the junction with The Broadway.

Gas engineers from SGN will be upgrading the network until Thursday, July 11.

Saxon Avenue is to be closed during the same period, for the same works, at the junction with The Broadway.

Nearby Glenwood Drive has also been closed for the upgrade since Friday, June 7, but it is expected to reopen on the earlier date of Thursday, July 4.

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheerness.