Motorists using Hermitage Lane in Maidstone face delays this week while South East Water carries out roadworks.

From today until Friday, February 17 the four-way traffic lights at the junctions with Heath Road, St Andrew’s Road and Fountain Lane are replaced with temporary lights which will extend a further 20 metres from their usual site to allow for the work to be carried out safely.

During peak hours the traffic lights were be manned, but unlike the permanent lights, they do not have traffic flow sensors for off-peak periods.

The impact of the work could be felt not only by commuters but patients and ambulances heading towards Maidstone Hospital.

The work being carried out in two phases. The first phase involves looking at the existing network to make sure the future work can be completed with minimal disruption.

Phase two, planned for just under two weeks April 3 to April 13 and needing the same traffic management, involves fitting water flow meters to the network. These meters, which are different to domestic water meters, help the company detect leaks and bursts quickly.

Chris Love, South East Water’s delivery manager 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."

Mr Love added: “The meters record the amount of water passing through our pipelines and the water pressure in a particular area.

"By monitoring this we can see how much water is being used and, if there is a drastic change in the water pressure, it may indicate a burst, which we can respond to quickly.”