A lane closure will be removed on a busy dual carriageway to help ease traffic congestion when a bridge shuts for ten days.

Traffic management will be lifted on the A249Sheppey-bound carriageway while Network Rail works continues work on the Kingsferry Bridge.

The firm shut the 64-year-old bridge, which connects the Island with the mainland, for rail passengers, motorists and cyclists for periods in June and July so it could replace 40 degraded steel ropes which are 30 years old.

In the summer, Network Rail warned it would have to shut the bridge for a further eight days to replace the final 12 ropes and complete the project.

It announced today that it will close the crossing from 10pm on Friday, October 25 until 5am on Sunday, November 3 to coincide with the school half term holiday.

It says that if this work is not carried out before winter there is a risk that the lifting ropes could fail and the bridge would close for a much longer period.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the works click here.

The summer closures caused traffic chaos in Sittingbourne and on Sheppey with drivers, school children and people using rail replacement buses stuck in traffic for hours heading to the Island.

Network Rail says it has taken “on-board lessons from the previous closures” and so decided to complete the works in the half term when there will be less traffic on local roads and people will have more flexibility with their travel plans.

Kent County Council has also today announced it will be removing the cones and the lane closure on the A249 which are part of the works on the Grovehurst Junction Improvement scheme.

Additional measures including placing breakdown vehicles in busy areas at peak times and putting on additional shuttle buses to encourage people to use public transport are also set to be brought in.

Non-emergency roadworks in the area for the duration of the closure of the Kingsferry Bridge are being refused.

Meanwhile, KCC says its highway inspectors will closely monitor local roads to ensure any emergency works required by utility companies are known and completed as quickly as possible.

KCC said: “We understand the works are incredibly disruptive for people in the area however we know that the bridge could fail if these repairs are not made and we acknowledge the importance that the works are completed as soon as possible to prevent future negative impacts on jobs and livelihoods.”

KCC’s cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, added: “We are doing everything we can to lessen the impact on the travelling public.

“We recognise the disruption that came before when previous closures of the Kingsferry Bridge were required and we are now in a position to do even more to reduce disruption.

“Once Network Rail has completed its work, the cones will be redeployed so we can continue to deliver the new gyratory as soon as possible.”

David Davidson, Network Rail’s route director for Kent said: “There’s never a good time to close the Kingsferry Bridge as it’s vitally important to rail passengers, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, commercial shipping and leisure boats.

“The local road network is busy with holiday traffic in summer and school and commuter traffic, as well as road freight the rest of the year.

“During the October half-term around nine in 10 schools in the area are closed, meaning that the roads will be quieter and people will generally have more flexibility with their travel plans.

“We know that the Grovehurst roundabout works are already increasing journey times for local people, but unfortunately we cannot delay the rope replacement until that work is complete.

“If the ropes failed over the winter, it would take time to mobilise a repair team. Also, doing the work in winter when weather is more challenging would take longer, and there is a higher risk the Sheppey Crossing could close due to the winds, cutting the island off completely.

“We are sorry for the disruption people will face, but we have no other option but to get the ropes replaced now.

“To help manage the impact on the area, we’re working closely with Kent County Council to put a range of mitigations in place.

“We’re also asking those people who can change their travel plans to do so. We’re fully aware that many people can’t change their travel plans, but if you can shop locally, car share, travel outside of peak times or work from home for the week, please do, as this will make journeys easier for people who have no other option but to travel."