There is once again traffic chaos on the A2 as a result of gas works.

Gas Transportation Company (GTC) has set up temporary traffic lights in Key Street by The Long Hop pub in Sittingbourne.

The work, which is at the junction of Wises Lane, is for excavation and reinstatement work and is set to end today.

However, although the traffic management was only put in place on Monday afternoon it has been called “ridiculous” by motorists.

It took Antonio Amadori, who lives near the Key Street roundabout, 45 minutes to get from Bobbing to Morrisons in Queenborough – a journey that usually takes around 15 minutes.

He said: “Travelling, just to get from Bobbing to Sittingbourne, in rush hour is getting more ridiculous.

“It was only in December that the Wises Lane junction along the A2 was closed creating massive disruption.

“Now again, at the same spot, they have put up temporary traffic lights.

“It is again creating long queues on the A2.

“It just seems impossible that all these repetitive roadworks on the same spot of the A2 in Sittingbourne have to be done.”

A GTC spokesman explained the work was being undertaken by one of its group companies, Express Utilities Ltd.

They said: “On behalf of Express Utilities Ltd, we’d like to apologise to the businesses, residents and road users affected by the traffic disruption caused by our temporary traffic lights in Key Street, Sittingbourne.

“The commencement of these essential works yesterday is required to repair the road surface and are due to be completed tomorrow.

“In order minimise disruption in the meantime however, the traffic lights will be manually operated on site during peak times to assist with the flow of traffic.

“Once again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused by this work.”

Last month, SGN had to undertake urgent repairs to its Sittingbourne gas network, along the A2 at Key Street.

They were completed four weeks after they first began.

Initially, there was a traffic-light-controlled lane closure on the road outside the Long Hop pub, but on Thursday, December 7, that turned into a full road closure.

The work was originally meant to finish on December 6, but was later extended until December 16 and then December 20.

As a result, Andria and Andy Matheou, who run the nearby Marino Fish Bar, say their trade plummeted, particularly after the gas firm placed a “road closed” sign along the route to their business.

Gasworks along another section of the A2 London Road are also causing chaos on the side of Sittingbourne between Bapchild and Teynham.

Dully Road is to be closed until Tuesday, January 23, at the junction with London Road.

It is in conjunction with the traffic lights on London Road for SGN to carry out gas main repairs.

The alternative route is via Dully Road, Upper Road, Church Street, Panteny Lane, A2 The Street and A2 London Road.

SGN has been contacted for comment.