Island motorists faced gridlock after a vital road was closed by contractors 'without warning'.

At least two packed school buses were caught in the tailbacks caused by roadworks on Wednesday in Minster Road, Halfway, on the Isle of Sheppey.

Resident David Jones said: "There was total chaos around 7.15am.

"We noticed that during the night, or in the early hours of this morning, contractors had completely blocked off the road with barriers on the Halfway side of Banner Way.

"Unfortunately, no one appeared to have shut off Minster Road at the other end near Barton's Hill Drive, so the morning rush-hour began with a massive queue of traffic and two school buses at the front unable to get past Banner Way.

"Dozens of cars turned around in the road but obviously the buses couldn't. So the two bus drivers, one from Arriva and one from Travelmasters, got out of their cabs and moved the barriers themselves."

Southern Gas Networks and Southern Water had been working at the junction of Banner Way and Minster Road for the past week after resurfacing work allegedly damaged a water main. Residents say gas pipes ended up being flooded with water.

Mr Jones said: "Six houses, including mine, were without gas for up to a week from the previous Tuesday. Supplies were finally restored but the holes in the road are still there."

He added: "Apparently, the chaos is being caused because signs near Barton's Hill Drive area didn't make it clear which road ahead wa closed, so drivers just ignored them.

"Amusingly, an elderly lady neighbour was in Minster Road directing traffic as baffled drivers stopped outside her house and found they couldn't get through to Halfway.

"One of the road workers said they had instructions to open the barriers to let school buses through but some arrived before any workers were on site, hence the bus drivers doing their own thing.

"There were still loads of drivers trying to go through although Minster Road was closed in both directions. Looks like it will have to be re-surfaced again."

Bradley Barlow, spokesman for gas distribution company SGN, said: "Our engineers are carrying out emergency work in Minster Road and Southern Water engineers have been undertaking emergency work on their network at the same time.

"Due to the location of these works, Minster Road was closed at its junction with Banner Way to ensure everyone's safety, with a signed diversion route is in place for motorists."

He added: "We'd like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and are working as quickly as possible to complete our essential work and re-open the road."

A spokesman for Southern Water said: "We are sorry for disruption caused to road users and a small number of households in the area after a valve on a water main leaked.

"Due to the leak affecting the gas network, a gas utility company also attended to carry out works. Our work to repair the water main was finished on Monday (June 27)".

Swale Cllr Cameron Beart (Con, Queenborough and Halfway) said: "I've just received word that SGN have requested to close Minster Road due to their gas main works.

"Following works undertaken overnight, they have discovered they will need to dig up more of the road and this will require a closure.

"I am awaiting confirmation of when this closure will start and the duration but extended working hours have been requested."

At the weekend the road closure was replaced by three-way temporary traffic lights.

Roadworks planned to close Scocles Road from last Monday have been postponed until the Minster Road works are completed. They will not be allowed to take place at the same time.