Temporary traffic lights and water main works on the A2 are adding to traffic problems as the four-month closure of slip roads for the M2 began this week.

Motorists are facing delays in Sittingbourne, Newington and Gillingham during tonight's rush hour.

By the junction of Lower Hartlip Road, on London Road, there are temporary traffic lights in place for Openreach works.

These will be in place until Monday, September 19, and drivers are being warned to expect delays in the area.

There are also ongoing Southern Water burst main repairs at the Murston Road junction of the A2, which are also causing delays.

In Bapchild there are more temporary traffic along The Street.

These are in place until Friday, September 16, to allow for other Southern Water pipe repair works.

The numerous roadworks are causing delays from the area, back to Gillingham.

The added traffic chaos comes as the M2 J5 coastbound slip roads are to remain shut until January.

The closure means motorists are not able to access the Stockbury roundabout from the M2 coastbound or join the M2 coastbound at Stockbury.

There were fears that the A2, through Rainham and Sittingbourne, was likely to bear the brunt, with people fearing months of traffic problems.

This woes were confirmed at the beginning of the week.

John Willis, from Rainham, said he experienced horrendous disruptions following the closures.

The 61-year-old said: “Before the start of the roadworks we were assured that motorists would barely experience any disruption and this is now simply not the case.

“It may be acceptable for vehicles that can easily reach the M20 to join the A249 at the bottom of Detling Hill but, from what I’ve experienced, J3 off the M2 is already swamped at peak times and this is the way we are all supposed to go.

"On Monday I decided to see how bad the A2 was and it was gridlocked just outside Rainham as far as I could see down the A2 towards Hartlip.

“Traffic was heavy with lots of stops to let cars pass, there were mobile roadworks as well.

“It’s clear that very little thought has gone into alternative routes to allow for the junction being closed and other routes have been allowed to be closed without any thought of the consequences.”

Oad Street, between the A249 and Woodgate Lane, is now also closed until Monday, October 10.

In a statement, National Highways said: “We’re doing everything we can to encourage drivers to stick to the approved diversions, which have been chosen to handle the flows of traffic experienced on the M2.

“The diversion routes used have been agreed with local authorities and the emergency services.

"They are clearly signposted using yellow and black signs, as well as VMS signs as far back as the M25.

“We have communicated this closure well in advance via our website, bulletins, resident letters, drop in clinics, and signs on the road.

“These closures will be monitored and reviewed if necessary.

“We appreciate that these roadworks may cause delays and disruption, and are grateful for people’s patience while we deliver this important upgrade at junction 5 on the M2.”