Motorists are warned to expect delays from today as a major £1.8 million gas main replacement programme begins.

Gas company SGN is to replace nearly three miles of pipe along the A2 between Newington and Sittingbourne.

Drivers are being delayed as part of £1.8 million gas main replacement programme

Work had originally been scheduled for next year but it has been brought forward after fears the 80-year-old main would not last that long.

There has been a record number of leaks along the pipe this summer leading to emergency repairs which caused widespread delays and led to the main road between Sittingbourne and Medway being closed completely.

Work to replace it begins at 7.30am and will take at least 10 months to complete.

A spokesman for SGN said: "We are investing £1.8 million to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local community by replacing existing metal gas mains and services with modern plastic pipe.

"This essential work forms part of an ongoing mains replacement programme developed with the Health and Safety Executive. Following discussions with Kent County Council, our project will start on Monday and last approximately 42 weeks.

"Following our emergency work to repair multiple gas leaks underneath the A2 at Newington earlier this year, we need to replace 4.5km of old gas mains."

The first phase begins at the junction with Oak Lane and will continue in sections of between 100m and 900m along the High Street towards the Key Street roundabout at Sittingbourne.

The work will be carried out by contractor Forefront Utilities.

Temporary traffic lights will be installed and will be operated manually Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 7.30pm and between 8am and 5pm on Saturdays. The lights will be in automatic mode at all other times.

Oak Lane will be one-way at its junction with London Road for the first four weeks so vehicles will not be able to use it to join the London Road. Other side roads will also be closed during the project.

Updates will be posted on the SGN website www.sgn.co.uk.

SGN engineering manager Simon Patient said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning this work and will be doing everything we can to limit disruption.

“We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating but the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years.

"This means once the work has been completed, Newington homes and businesses will enjoy the benefits of a continued safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.”

During the works, lorries will be banned from the A2, unless they have a permit for access, and will be diverted onto the M2.

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