Kingsferry Bridge to close again for eight days

The last train service to depart from the island will be the 22:47 from Sheerness-on-Sea to Sittingbourne on Friday

The last in a series of closures of a bridge which connects the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent begins later.

Kingsferry Bridge will be closed to rail and road traffic from 22:00 BST until 05:00 on 28 July.

It is the latest in a series of closures to allow engineers to replace steel cables on the 64-year-old structure.

The last train service to depart from the island will be the 22:47 from Sheerness-on-Sea to Sittingbourne.

Southeastern said that buses will not stop at Swale station

The next service to run on the train line will be the 07:47 on Sheerness-on-Sea to Sittingbourne on 28 July.

During the closure, a replacement bus service will operate between Sheerness-on-Sea and Sittingbourne, calling at Queenborough and Kemsley.

Southeastern said that buses will not stop at Swale station, due to low customer numbers and the extra time it would add to journeys to the other stations.

They added that all replacement buses can be used by customers who have accessibility needs and a taxi will be provided for customers who need assisted travel if there is no available bus.

The bridge area is also closed to all Maritime traffic, including small boats, kayaks/canoes and jet skis, to ensure the safety of maritime users as there is a risk materials could fall from the bridge.

Drivers are advised to use the Sheppey Crossing but to leave more time to travel as journeys may take longer.

A shuttle bus will also operate across the Sheppey Crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.