Roads across the Medway Towns have been thrown into "absolute chaos" as the Medway Tunnel linking Chatham to Strood remains closed.

Medway Council announced the closure at 6am with the hope that it would reopen soon - before confirming at 1.30pm that it would be shut until at least the end of today.

Roads have been left "gridlocked" as a result, with simple journeys taking hours, severe disruption to bus services and a knock-on effect on bin collections.

Ruth Du-Lieu, assistant director of frontline services at Medway Council, said: "We anticipate the Medway Tunnel will be closed in both directions for at least the rest of today.

"Our highways engineers have been to the site and identified an issue with the tunnel’s operating systems.

"Our engineers and specialist engineers are currently working hard to fix the technical issue which would allow the tunnel to operate safely.

"Motorists are asked to plan more time for their journeys and use alternative routes. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

"As soon as we have more information on when the tunnel might be reopened, we will post an update."

Medway Council has been asked for further clarity on the cause of the problems.

Maintenance work has been taking place in the tunnel, which has seen the route shut overnight, most recently on December 9, which was due to be the last of this quarter's closures.

Today's closure has led to huge delays on routes across Medway.

Arriva tweeted to say its entire Medway bus network was severely disrupted and delayed.

Medway Norse was also unable to complete the brown bins round today due to the closure.

This evening, Nu-Venture tweeted: "Our bus services in #Medway remain hugely disrupted due to serious congestion from traffic displaced from the ongoing closure of the Medway Tunnel, for which there is no end in sight.

"So, literally, no light at the end of the Tunnel."

Commuters are having to divert through Rochester, leaving many routes gridlocked.

One motorist reported that it took them more than an hour to get their children to school, when it is usually a 15-minute journey.

"Absolute chaos @medway_council come on please, get your finger out, and at least give hourly updates..."

Another resident said: "Unless the ceiling has caved in, what possible technical issue could there be?

"Frindsbury Road is shut both ways, constant roadworks all over Medway, ALL of the time.

"Isn’t it about time the local authority put some of their revenue into more 'permanent' solutions to what is appearing to be 'constant' problems, in the same areas? Just a thought."

There have been increasing calls for clarity over the issue.

A tweet by beckygander said: "What’s happening with the tunnel? No explanation, lots of delays & no update? You are affecting small business in the Medway estate? Any answer to this?"

Another tweet said: "The Medway Towns are gridlocked. Absolute chaos @medway_council come on please, get your finger out, and at least give hourly updates. And chase the contractors who are responsible. Who are they btw??"

Harry2671 posted: "@medway_council have caused gridlock in Medway towns by shutting the tunnel, but none of us are grown up enough to be told why? #farce #joke."

Jeff Miller, owner of two businesses on the Medway City Estate, Emblem Workwear and Francombs Sandwiches and Salads, said the closure had impacted trade.

"It's been really quiet today." he said.

"People didn't want to be stuck in traffic to get here.

"The decision to shut it – which causes misery for everyone on a Friday – would not have been taken lightly."

He added: "It took me about two hours to get in this morning. It's usually 10 minutes. For some of my staff who live in Rochester it would have been quicker to walk."

One driver took to social media to say they spent "half the day on the road" thanks to the closure.

Greenwich University buses twitter page explained their services would be diverted via the A289 to avoid the closure, causing a delay of around 50 minutes.

The tunnel – used by 50,000 drivers per day before the pandemic – costs Medway taxpayers £415,000-a-year and various ideas have been considered to help pay for it.

The council bought it for £1 in 2009.

In November 2020, it was suggested cash contributed by housing developers could be used to prop up funding repairs for the route.