MASSIVE disruption during today's morning rush hour on the A21 was caused by emergency repairs to the carriageway.

Frustrated drivers sat in huge queues. They stretched from the Blue Boys pub, north of Lamberhurst, right past the Tonbridge junctions, as temporary traffic lights left the already overstretched single carriageway at Castle Hill down to one alternate lane.

Traffic was at a near standstill on the slip roads at Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells onto the A21, as well as the busy Longfield Road roundabout, with drivers seeking alternative routes, jamming surrounding roads in Tonbridge, Pembury, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells.

Many motorists reported journeys of up to two hours on those that usually took 10 to 15 minutes.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said the work should be finished before this evening's rushour. She said: "We apologise for any delays drivers may have suffered.

"The delays were due to emergency road resurfacing work and we worked quickly to ensure the work was completed by the evening rush hour."