Gasworks criticised for impacting a seaside town’s summer tourism have been extended – and now they’re going to impact the school run.

Four months ago SGN revealed plans to shut several roads in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey for three months, however, the gas distribution company has now had to extend the closure of one of the roads due to emergency water works.

SGN originally hoped to reopen Wards Hill Road during the first week of September – now it is going to reopen on Friday, September 15.

Waseem Hanif, a spokesman for the company, said: “We’re continuing to upgrade our gas network on the Isle of Sheppey.

“Wards Hill Road remains closed to allow our engineers to work safely, with signed diversions in place for motorists.

“We originally intended to reopen Wards Hill Road on September 7 however, due to this being a complex engineering project and an interruption to our work caused by emergency water works, we need to increase the duration of the closure by approximately one week.

“All going well, we hope to reopen Wards Hill Road as normal by September 15.”

Previously SGN explained the closures were required for the safety of the public and workforce while gas mains replacement works are undertaken.

In April, Cllr Mike Whiting, the KCC Conservative councillor serving Sheppey, urged the gas company to postpone its plans until later this year.

He previously said: “The summer period is the height of the tourism season on the Island, when many rely on the income tourism brings.

“The population more than doubles to over 60,000 and the road closures listed are some of the busiest local roads used by tourists accessing Sheerness or the beaches of Minster. These works could not come at a worse time.”

SGN did not respond to KentOnline’s request for an explanation at the time.

After learning of SGN’s need to extend the gasworks Cllr Whiting shared his fears about how the road closure will affect children going back to school next month.

He said: "It is disappointing that the works have been extended into the start of the new term, This now affects the return to school and school buses.

“SGN tells me that progress was impacted by having to wait for South East Water to carry out some emergency repairs, and also an issue with the old gas drawings not accurately reflecting what they found when they dug down on the pipes.

“They have assured me they will put out an updated communication to the schools and bus companies as soon as possible."

SGN did not share what plans it had in place to help ease school-run chaos with KentOnline.