A well-used underpass beneath the M20 has shut for three months to allow for more essential repairs.

The route - which links Ashford Rugby Club in Kennington with the Heathfield Road estate - was closed by National Highways today.

Bosses say the works to Great Stour Bridge are "critical for safety reasons" and include replacing expansion joints at the site, which regularly floods.

Resurfacing is also due to be carried out, but contractors say the works are subject to change "due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances".

An 88-mile diversion was put in place in April when National Highways closed the motorway between Junctions 9 and 10a to allow for initial repairs to the bridge.

While the M20 itself will remain open during the latest stage of works, National Highways says the diversion will add approximately seven minutes to pedestrians' journeys.

The alternative route is via Heathfield Road, Canterbury Road and Kinney's Lane.

The work was due to begin in August, but was pushed back by National Highways.