Emergency roadworks have closed a stretch of a ring-road, causing long tailbacks.

Gas engineers from SGN have shut the junction of New Street and Somerset Road in Ashford, next to Farmfoods and Barnardo’s charity shop.

It means drivers are not able to turn left onto Somerset Road, which forms part of the town’s ring-road, sparking long queues.

While an exact end date for the roadworks is unclear, SGN expects the closure to remain in place over the next few days.

An SGN spokesman said: “We’re carrying out repairs to our gas network in New Street, Ashford.

“For everyone’s safety around our work area, we’ve put a temporary lane closure in place.

“Road users will need to turn right onto the ring road.

“All being well, we hope to complete our repairs and reopen the lane within the next few days.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience our work may cause.”

During this morning’s rush hour, traffic was backed up to Chart Road by Repton Manor Road.