Major roadworks for the Spirit of Sittingbourne town centre redevelopment will now start tonight to relieve traffic congestion.

The A2 St Michael’s Road and B2008 Milton Road will now be closed from 8pm.

It is estimated the work will take up to five months.

A spokesman for Kent Highways said: "The closures had been planned to start sooner. Apologies are given for any inconvenience caused by this change."

A2 St Michael's Road will be closed between the junction with Dover Street and Station Street.

Milton Road will be closed between the St Michael’s Road and Dover Street.

Lorries and through traffic will be diverted along Dover Street, West Street, London Road, Key Street, Key Street Roundabout, Sheppey Way, Bobbing Interchange, B2006 Staplehurst Road, St Paul’s Street, Mill Way, Eurolink Way and Crown Quay Lane.

Vehicles under 11ft 9in (3.5m) and heading eastwards towards Teynham can use St Michael’s Road, Dover Street, B2008 Milton Road, B2006 Eurolink Way and Crown Quay Lane.

Cars going west can use St Michael’s Road, Station Street and West Street.

The spokesman added: "Operatives will be on site to allow managed access to Sittingbourne train station with the direction signposted on site."

The following roads will become two-way during these works:

Dover Street between St Michael’s Road and Milton Road;

West Street between Dover Street and Station Road;

Station Road from West Street to where it becomes two-way.

Restrictions will apply outside working hours.

The spokesman warned: "Some delays are to be expected, especially at busier times, so it is recommended motorists allow extra time for their journeys or consider using alternative routes."

He added: "There is a possibility the works may overrun because of bad weather or unforeseen engineering difficulties."