Passengers travelling to the Isle of Sheppey are being advised to plan ahead as the first eight-day closure of the Kingsferry Bridge takes place.

The 1960s-built bridge needs to be closed so that engineers can continue to replace the 40 steel ropes, which are used to lift the bridge for maritime traffic.

The bridge was closed for a weekend earlier this month, in which engineers completed the replacement of counterweight ropes on the Sheppey side of the bridge.

The lifting ropes on the Sheppey side of the crossing will be replaced in this closure, whilst the counterweight and lifting ropes on the mainland side will be replaced during upcoming closures:

• 22:00 on Friday 28 June to 05:00 Sunday 7 July
• 22:00 on Friday 12 July to 05:00 on Monday 15 July
• 22:00 on Friday 19 July to 05:00 on Sunday 28 July

The last trains will depart the island around midnight on Friday, with the first trains after the closure running from 05:43.

The latest travel advice for both rail and road users is available on the Network Rail website.

“While the first weekend closure went very smoothly with traffic on local roads being very light, we’re expecting the roads to be much busier and more congested over weekdays with school and commuter traffic.

“We’re grateful to people of Sheppey and the surrounding area for their patience as we complete these urgent repairs and our people who use the bridge is to please continue to plan ahead and leave more time to complete your journeys.

“This next phase of work involves the replacement of the ropes on the Swale side of the bridge, which means that there will be 10 more days of closures after this, one weekend and another 8-day closure.

“We want to remind jet ski and speed boat users that for the safety of everyone, including those working on the bridge, they can’t pass under the bridge when work is taking place – it’s too dangerous. We hope people will understand why this is the case, and we thank them for their patience.”

David Davidson, Network Rail‘s Kent route director