Plans to close a main route into Whitstable have been pushed back to avoid town-centre gridlock during the half-term.

Southern Water had been due to start sewer repairs two days ago at the junction of Oxford Street and Cromwell Road, with the work planned to last until Sunday.

But concerns were raised by local businesses about the impact it would have on footfall in the school holidays.

Now, the work has been postponed and will instead be carried out between March 13 and 24.

Cllr Mark Dance (Con) says he pushed for the works to be delayed following concerns raised by traders.

"Millstrood Road is closed at the moment for gas works so I used that as a lever as there are only four routes into Whitstable and two would be shut off," the county and city councillor said.

"Young people getting to school and using buses is a problem but you have to weigh up the problems of locals - and ultimately street traders won.

"What we have to avoid is - because of Whitstable's popularity - doing work in the summer because a huge amount of income comes from tourism.

"We avoid major roadworks in the summer at all costs as the tourism spend in the town is phenomenal.

"There is limited flexibility with utility works and some of it is urgent, but in this case Southern Water has done a good thing."

Oxford Street will be shut near Co-op to the junction with Canterbury Road.

The diversion for town centre-bound traffic is Canterbury Road, Borstal Hill, Old Thanet Way, Chestfield Road, Herne Bay Road, St Swithins Road, Tankerton Road, Tower Parade, Harbour Street and High Street.

And the alternative route for those leaving town is High Street, Horsebridge Road, Harbour Street, Tower Parade, Tankerton Road, Bennells Avenue, Herne Bay Road, Chestfield Road, Old Thanet Way, Borstal Hill and Canterbury Road.

Cromwell Road will be closed at the junction with Oxford Street.

The southbound diversion is via Cromwell Road, Harbour Street, Tower Parade, Tankerton Road, Chestfield Road, Old Thanet Way, Borstal Hill and Canterbury Road.

The alternative route for northbound traffic is Cromwell Road, B2205 Harbour Street and High Street.

Clifton Road will be closed at the junction with Oxford Street and the diversion is via Portway, West Cliff and Nelson Road.

The no-right turn order in Canterbury Road into Belmont Road will be suspended to allow for diverted traffic.

A KCC spokesman confirmed it had to revise the permit for the Southern Water sewer repairs.

"Our aim is to always plan non-urgent works for quieter times, like school holidays, but SGN emergency roadworks at Millstrood Road between Bellevue Road and Thanet Way prevented us from allowing this," he said.

"It is recognised that, while Millstrood Road is not the official diversion for the Southern Water roadworks, it is another main road into the town.

"Therefore to minimise disruption as far as possible, we have replanned the Southern Water closure for March 13 to 24 but hope this will be completed sooner."

A spokesman for Southern Water said: "We know our work can cause disruption and we apologise for any caused.

"This work is an important sewer repair. We always work closely with local stakeholders to minimise this including to schedule work in the best way possible.

"All our work is cleared with the relevant highways and other council departments."