Sheppey drivers and rail passengers face a fortnight of disruption due to Kingsferry Bridge becoming stuck during lifts.

Last Monday, the 54-year-old crossing was jammed in the up position for nearly two hours.

It led to a number of train cancellations, while motorists were diverted over the Sheppey Crossing.

The same error occurred the following evening.

It means for the next two weeks an “auxiliary method” will be used to carry out lifts in lieu of the span’s renovation.

During this time it will take about an hour for the bridge to go up and down.

Lifts are being limited to commercial vessels, and when these take place, buses will be laid on for rail passengers travelling to and from the Island.

These will coincide with high tides when ships travel.

Network Rail spokesman, Chris Denham, said: “A vital motor that powers the lifting mechanism of the Kingsferry Bridge has failed in service and has had to be removed for rebuilding.

“Without it, we have to rely on the auxiliary method of lifting the span, powered either by diesel or the railway’s own traction power supply.

“This is much slower than the normal method and can take up to an hour to complete a cycle (up and down).

“For that reason we are limiting the lifting to commercial vessels only and asking for advance notice so Southeastern can arrange buses for the hour when the bridge will be up.”

Mr Denham said repairs should be completed by mid-February and apologised for “the disruption to people’s journeys on and off the island until the work is done.”

He said Network Rail was “planning and scoping” a refurbishment of the bridge and its equipment, to be delivered “in the next few years”.

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