A gas leak is causing chaos for drivers as road closures have clashed with planned water works.
The emergency repairs have shut the A26 Tonbridge Road and Red Hill at the crossroads in Wateringbury.
It started this week and is being carried out by gas company SGN.
According to the roadworks site one.network, Tonbridge Road heading towards Mereworth is set to be closed until next Tuesday (June 4), with Red Hill also shut the following day (June 5).
However, due to it being emergency work, this could be extended.
A diversion route has not been publicised, but some drivers are choosing to go via Yalding and Teston.
One motorist told KentOnline that parts of the route are getting “backed up with traffic”, but says there are multiple signs in place.
Others have expressed their frustration on social media.
One person said: “Avoid Yalding Bridge because of this it’s an absolute nightmare.
“I’m a mobile hairdresser and had to deal with eight road closures on my travels!”
Another added: “Got to the Wateringbury lights heading away from Maidstone. Roads right and ahead closed, diverted left.
“Turned left and followed the road towards Nettlestead, past the turn off for Pizien Well Road, which was signed ‘not suitable for diverted traffic’.
“20 meters further on the road is closed. Went back and took the Pizien Well Road which was a nightmare, as everyone else was doing it and drivers were acting like idiots.”
Temporary two-way lights on Bow Road and Tonbridge Road heading towards Barming are also adding to the traffic woes.
Both were set up at the beginning of the week and are set to be in place until next Wednesday and this Friday (May 31) respectively.
A spokeswoman from SGN said: “To ensure everyone’s safety while we work, temporary traffic lights are in place from Tonbridge Road to Bow Road.
“There is a temporary road closure at the other side of the junction of Tonbridge Road and Red Hill Road.
“We are currently monitoring gas readings and carrying out investigations to identify exactly where the gas is leaking from our pipe. We will then carry out emergency repair work.
“Currently it’s too early to say how long our work will take to complete but we are working as quickly and safely as possible.”
Further down in Nettlestead, Maidstone Road has been closed due to planned works by South East Water.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust posted a message on social media warning patients who have appointments during this time.
It said: “There will be delays travelling to and between our @MTWnhs hospitals this week as there are temporary traffic lights for gas work at Wateringbury crossroads and the complete closure of the Nettlestead Road because of water works.
“We are currently monitoring gas readings and carrying out investigations to identify exactly where the gas is leaking from our pipe.”
“Some buses are also on diversion.”
One of the routes affected is the number seven which runs between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.
Arriva posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Due to multiple road closures, our services will be unable to serve stops between Fountain Lane in Maidstone and Mereworth.
“They will divert via Hermitage Lane, A20 and A228 (Kings Hill). We do not have an end date at this time. Apologies.”
South East Water has been contacted for a comment.
