Motorists are experiencing traffic chaos following roadworks on a busy Maidstone road.

Kent Highways is reporting slow moving traffic on the A20 London Road heading out of town towards the Hermitage Lane junction, where temporary traffic lights are in operation.

The works are being carried out by South East Water, who are laying a new pipe.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is advising patients with appointments at Maidstone Hospital to allow more time for their journeys.

Arriva are also warning of possible delays on its buses.

One commuter reported a 40-minute wait due to the three-way traffic lights.

MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch, took to Twitter to ask how long the disruption would last, adding: "It's chaos out there."

A spokesman for the utilities company replied: "The works are scheduled to be completed by Friday. Apologies for the delays."

South East Water’s delivery manager Chris Love said: “We know this is a very busy stretch of road and that’s why we have worked with the highways authority to plan this work in the school holiday when there is less traffic. However, as this is also a main route to Maidstone Hospital we are advising patients with appointments and visitors to allow extra time for their journeys.

“We have also told the hospital and South East Coast Ambulance Service about the temporary changes to the traffic lights and its possible impact for routine journeys and deliveries. Of course, as with the usual traffic management system, emergency vehicles should not encounter delays.”