Out-of-date satnav directions have been blamed after lorries were seen reversing the wrong way up a link road off a dual carriageway.

Several HGV drivers have mistakenly been taking the South Green Lane exit at the revamped Stockbury Roundabout believing it will lead onto the A249 towards Maidstone.

Realising their error, they have been reversing several hundred metres back to the roundabout.

People have noticed several vehicles making the blunder since the road opened on Friday (July 19).

The Stockbury project aims to make journeys easier and safer for motorists travelling between Maidstone, Sittingbourne and Sheppey on the A249.

Our reporter was one of the first to step foot on the new £92m flyover – click here to read more.

Since March, part of the new South Green Link Road (the former A249 Maidstone-bound) which links South Green Lane to Oad Street was closed.

It allowed National Highways’ workforce to complete drainage improvements on the link road and the A249 itself – a stretch that was previously liable to flood in heavy rain.

Since it reopened last week, vehicles have been spotted travelling though Stockbury Valley towards South Green Lane, not realising it doesn’t connect to the A249 anymore.

Rob, who asked us not to use his surname, recorded the moment two lorries decided to reverse after making a wrong turn.

One was taken at around midday on Saturday (July 20) and the other was at 7pm the following day.

“A lot of cars are doing the same thing,” he said. “I think satnavs have not been updated by the owners.

“Personally I have seen five drivers do this, but my family have spotted lots more and so have other residents.

“I would estimate somewhere between 20 and 30 just over the weekend – I dread to think what it’s like today.”

Rob, who lives nearby, posted the video to warn other drivers in the area.

He added: “People have become very reliant on satnavs.

“There is a sign at the start of Stockbury Valley saying no access to A249. I’m guessing the foreign drivers can’t read it.”

Julian Austin also captured on his drone a coach trying to do a three-point turn at the junction after missing the correct turn-off.

“There were a number of them doing it when I have been there,” he said.

“Satnavs will not have been updated yet so it will say take the 'first exit at the roundabout' which obviously used to be correct.

“No doubt they will slowly get updated if they are online versions.”

This isn’t the first time drivers have been seen making shocking manoeuvres whilst navigating the Stockbury Roundabout.

One motorist was caught on dashcam making an illegal turn onto the wrong side of an A249 slip road.

National Highways says the road is open but is managed by temporary traffic lights due to some fencing that is set to be completed.

A spokesperson added: “We have opened up South Green link road to the public on Friday and are aware that over the weekend there have been incidents where members of the public and HGVs have incorrectly attempted to access the A249 southbound from here.

“Google Maps and satnavs are correct, and we are looking at additional temporary signage to ease the problem until people get used to the new road set-up.”