The long-awaited reopening of a main road which has been closed for eight months has been delayed.

Newtown Road in Ashford was due to reopen next Wednesday after being shut since April, sparking relief for motorists across the town.

But recent bad weather has caused delays as workers have been unable to lay the new road surfaces, pushing the reopening date back.

The stretch is now scheduled to open two days later on Friday, November 30.

Contractors shut the road at the junction with Romney Marsh Road in April to remove two roundabouts and fit traffic lights instead.

Bosses say the Romney Marsh Road dual carriageway, which has been reduced to one lane for months, will fully reopen on Friday.

The works are part of the £90million expansion of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, which will see 50 new shops added to the site.

Centre manager Peter Corr said: "The recent adverse weather conditions have meant our construction partners, McLaren and Walkers Construction, have been delayed in laying the new road surfaces on Newtown Road.

"Consequently, the timeline for reopening Newtown Road has slightly shifted to Friday, November 30 to ensure it’s completed in the safest possible manner.

"Despite this small delay, the Romney Marsh Road portion of the improvement works has been completed ahead of schedule and as a result, all traffic management will be removed with the road returning to a dual carriageway on Friday (November 23)."