The final opening date of a multi-million-pound roundabout has been delayed for a second time after issues with “construction complexity”.

The A249 Grovehurst Road Improvement Scheme, between Iwade and Kemsley, is now due to be completed nine months later than originally planned.

Work first started in September 2023 to improve the junction where the existing dumbbell junction is being changed to a two-bridge flyover.

It is part of a £32.7m upgrade by Kent County Council (KCC) in a bid to improve the road network as more houses are built in the area.

The project was supposed to be completed at the end of last year, however, in May the end date was pushed back.

Constraints with utility works, urgent repairs by Network Rail and problems with “trapping reptiles” were all to blame.

Two days ago, we reported how drivers would have to contend with further delays after contractors Jackson Civil Engineering discovered “some unchartered services” and that the A249 Maidstone-bound entry slip road and Grovehurst Road B2005 towards Kemsley weren’t reopening until Saturday (May 3) at 6am.

Unchartered services refers to utilities – including gas, water and electrics – which are not officially documented or regulated.

KCC has since announced that additional time will be required to complete the installation of a new second bridge over the A249 and realignment of the junction at Grovehurst Road.

Read more: Our reporter sees 100-tonne steel beams lowered into place over the A249

The authority had to update its plans due to the “complexity of the construction” at the junction, as well as the challenges involved in ensuring utility companies coordinate the work they need to do to move utility lines on site.

Traffic management has been put in place to reduce congestion as much as possible during this time.

The current timeline of the scheme is as follows:

June – The gyratory will be opened to drivers.

July – Works to the Grovehurst Road on the Iwade side of A249 will be completed.

August – Works to the Kemsley side of the A249 will be completed.

September – Works to the existing bridge will be completed and the new bridge opened.

It is at least a nine-month delay from the original opening date.

Simon Jones, KCC’s corporate director for growth, environment and transport, said: “Building the new bridge and making changes to the surrounding road network and utilities is a complex project.

“The local community has been very patient while the works have been progressing and we hope they will value the benefits of smoother and more reliable journeys this project will bring."