The reopening of part of a multi-million-pound improvement scheme has been delayed by more than a week.

The closures of three routes on the Grovehurst Roundabout between Iwade and Kemsley, near Sittingbourne, have been extended.

Contractors Jackson Civil Engineering started the £32.7m upgrade in September 2023.

Workers are replacing the existing dumbbell junction with a two-bridge flyover.

It is part of a wider Kent County Council (KCC) scheme to future-proof the road network in the A249 corridor ahead of major housebuilding in the area.

The project has been hit with some delays, which has caused the end date to be pushed back until May.

It has now been announced that three of the current closures, which were put in place during January and February, have been extended.

The A249 Maidstone-bound entry slip road and the Grovehurst Road B2005 towards Kemsley have been extended by more than a week.

They are both due to reopen on Monday, April 28 at 6am.

Whereas the A249 Maidstone-bound exit slip road closure – expected to be completed next Tuesday (April 15) – has been extended a further two days.

It will now reopen at 6pm on Thursday (April 17).

A Jackson Civil Engineering spokesman said: “We appreciate that road works can be disruptive and with a project of this size and nature, challenges have and will continue to present themselves.

“We will continue to keep you informed of our traffic management plans as early as possible to help plan your journeys.

“Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

The construction firm says there were delays with utility service works and drainage clashes, which made it “impractical” to open as previously scheduled.

In the coming weeks, workers will be laying tarmac on the bridge decks and the connections to the north-bound entry and southbound exit slip roads.

The new bridge is expected to open soon, with drawings set to be published of the new road layout.

When the current closures are lifted, additional routes will be shut to allow for work on the northern roundabout.

This includes the A249 Sheppey-bound entry and exit slip roads, as well as Grovehurst Road overbridge and Grovehurst Road itself, in the direction of Iwade village.

Full details and official diversion routes will be shared in the construction firm’s weekly traffic management updates.

A drop-in session is also scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 29 from noon until 1pm at the site compound.

Project officers from Jackson and KCC will be available to talk about the scheme and answer any questions from the public.