A major route in and out of a town is to shut tonight for emergency gas main repairs.

The A2 will be closed off at Key Street, Sittingbourne, from 7pm so work can be carried out by Southern Gas Networks.

The closure will be at its junction with Wises Lane, just a few hundred yards from the Key Street roundabout and the A249.

A Kent County Council Highways statement said: "As this is a new leak the extent of which needs to be assessed, it not yet known how long the repair will take and when the road will be able to reopen."

Traffic is to be diverted via Sheppey Way, Staplehurst Road, St Paul's Street, King Street, Mill Way, Eurolink Way, Crown Quay Lane, A2 St Michaels Road, Dover Street and London Road.

The latest closure comes after drivers have experienced weeks of delays in and around the town due to roadworks.

The situation has become such a problem that Swale council has proposed setting up an A2 task force.

Its aim is to improve the co-ordination of roadworks and keep traffic moving.