A2 WARNING

Months of roadworks to spark closures and speed restrictions Diversions to force motorists onto city centre’s ring-road Delayed slip-road extension not due to finish until February

Motorists are being warned to expect months of overnight closures and speed restrictions on the A2 as a series of roadworks gets underway.

The central project of the programme is the long-awaited extension and improvement of the Londonbound off-slip at Thanington, which is due for completion in February next year.

But the dual-carriageway will also undergo resurfacing and stud replacement work over the next 18 months.

The seven-mile coastbound stretch from Faversham to Thanington will - at some point be closed overnight, followed by the longer Londonbound stretch from the New Dover Road interchange to Brenley Corner. Highways England officials have also gained the traffic order to enforce 24-hour closures of all lay-bys along the carriageway at any time in the next 18 months. When the A2 is not closed, a 50mph limit will be enforced on a section of the road approaching Thanington. Exact dates for closures and speed restrictions are yet to be finalised.

The traffic order, which came into force last Monday, is to mainly allow for contractors to work on the extension on the offslip at Thanington.

The roadworks include plans to widen and extend the route, and to create a junction leading to the new 450-home Saxon Fields development behind Cockering Road.

While work is carried out, the slip-road will be closed from 7pm until 6am each day.

This will mean those heading up the A2 in the late evening will need to exit the carriageway at New Dover Road, forcing them into the city centre before rejoining the A2 at Harbledown. The work was scheduled to start two months ago but was delayed due to Covid-19. Plans are still afoot for the new £8.8m coast-bound off-slip at Wincheap, but the new route - envisaged to alleviate constant traffic problems on the A28 does not legally need to be completed until the 450th home at the Saxon Fields development is occupied.

The project is also dependent on the city council’s controversial plan to expand the Wincheap park and ride site, which has been put on hold for at least a year amid the Covid-19 budget strain on the authority.

There will be overnight closures on the A2 between Canterbury and Faversham

Drivers are warned to expect delays on the route