Diversions while work takes place on a multi-million-pound roundabout revamp have been dismissed as “beyond a joke”.

Construction is set to begin on a second bridge over the A249 at Grovehurst Road, in Kemsley, near Sittingbourne, next month.

Although exact dates have not been confirmed by Kent County Council (KCC) it has been revealed that the project is set to start on Monday, August 14 and last until October 1, 2024.

The £32.7m revamp was given the green light by county councillors in March 2022.

The scheme will use the existing bridge but will replace the dumbbell design with a new one-way gyratory system incorporating a second bridge. That will be built on the Sheppey side of the roundabout and include a cycleway and footpath linking through to Iwade.

The bulk of the cost will come from a £38.1m grant from the government's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF). The rest will be paid for with contributions from housing developers.

While work takes place, road closures wil take place in two phases over the next 15 months.

Phase A will see the B2005 Grovehurst Road, Sittingbourne shut between Bramblefield Lane and Swale Way.

The alternative route for vehicles is via Grovehurst Road, Saffron Way, Mill Way, King Street, St Paul’s Street, Staplehurst Road, Bobbing Interchange, the A249 and vice versa.

Phase B will see the same road closed between Swale Way and Cormorant Road.

The alternative route for vehicles is via the A249, Kingsferry Roundabout, Sheppey Way, The Street, Ferry Road and vice versa.

During this second phase the B2005 Swale Way in Sittingbourne will also be closed between Grovehurst Road and Lloyd Drive.

The alternative route for vehicles is via the B2005 Swale Way, Castle Road, Eurolink Way, Crown Quay Lane, Eurolink Way, Mill Way, St Paul’s Street, Staplehurst Road, Bobbing Interchange, the A249, Grovehurst Road and vice versa.

During this time there will also be speed restrictions of 30mph.

Conservative Iwade councillor, Roger Clark, branded the diversion routes as a “terrible” thing for his ward.

He said: “These roadworks have been in he pipeline for ages. Although the roundabout is in desperate need of an update the works are going to make it difficult for the people living in Iwade.

“We’ll have to survive on traffic lights in the village, it’s beyond a joke.

“Anything the developers do will impact Iwade, it is going to be very congested. It’s going to be terrible for the area.”

However, cllr James Hunt, who is a Conservative representing The Meads, doesn’t think the traffic situation will be too dire.

He said: “I understand that the Sheppey-bound slip on the A249 by the Grovehurst roundabout is what is going to close first.

“This is either going to be later this month or in August. Trying to get information and dates from KCC is very hard at the moment as KCC is wary of things changing.

“After this first closure, although there will be traffic management, I understand that a lot of the work is actually going to be done away from the carriageway.

“So, unlike the backlog which was caused by last weekend’s slip closure by the Stockbury roundabout, I don’t think congestion will be that bad.

“However I could be wrong. The work is desperately needed and it is a good thing that it is happening but there will be disruptions.”

A KCC spokesman said: “Our contractor is now preparing the Grovehurst roundabout site ready for works to begin in mid-August.

“Initially we will be setting up a site compound and completing works off the road.

“Once this is complete we will move to working on the road where traffic management plans will be put in place. We aim to minimise disruption as far as possible and will share this traffic management information once finalised.”

Any local representatives who would like to share their input to ensure KCC are able to keep disruption to a minimum are encouraged to email GrovehurstRoad@jackson-civils.co.uk.