Major repair works to a bridge are well underway this weekend.

The Kingsferry Bridge, which connects the Isle of Sheppey with the mainland, is shut so the 40 steel ropes which stabilise it when it lifts can be replaced.

They were last replaced around 30 years ago and recent tests found some have degarded and urgently needed changing as they come to the end of their operational life.

Network Rail is carrying out the maintenance works and has closed the bridge to drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and maritime traffic.

Providing an update today (June 8), engineers said the work was “progressing well” after the bridge was closed at 10pm last night (June 7).

The statement added: “Thanks for bearing with us while we work.”

It reopens at 5am on Monday (June 10), however, it is only the first of a series of closures over the next two months.

It will next be shut for nine days from Friday, June 28 to Sunday, July 7.

A regular rail replacement bus service will run between Sheerness, Queenborough, Kemsley and Sittingbourne stations during the closures.

Built by British Rail in 1960 the bridge is used by motorists and pedestrians to travel to the rest of the county and is the only route trains can use to get across The Swale.