A busy road is to stay closed for a week while work to raise a zebra crossing and reduce speed limits is carried out.

The changes in Bybrook Road are part of a "Twenty is Plenty" scheme which aims to drive out ‘rat-run’ motorists in part of Ashford.

The zebra crossing in Bybrook Road, between Grasmere Road and Belmont Road, is being raised in the hope it will force speeding motorists to slow down.

New signs and road markings with the reduced speed limit of 20mph are also being installed on 40 across the whole of the Bybrook area bounded by the A28, Canterbury Road, Faversham Road and Lower Vicarage Road.

Kent County Council's Ashford Central member Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con), who used his community fund to pay for the changes, says he is hopeful the upgraded crossing will be safer based on others already in the town.

"The raised tables force traffic to slow down," he said.

"The one outside the Designer Outlet, as you turn into Newtown Road, is really effective in slowing down traffic.

"There is quite a lot of foot traffic between the flats, Bybrook Road, and the shops, so it should improve safety.

"With a bit of luck it will all be done this week. The view is it will reduce the speed of traffic.

"The 'Twenty is Plenty' scheme started two or three years ago and it has taken a lot of time and effort to get enough cash in the pot to pay for this work.

"I have had to use the last two years of my community fund to pay for this work and Kennington Community Council have contributed as well as Ashford Borough Council."

It is hoped all the work can be done this week ready for when the schools go back on Monday.

The road will be closed from 7am to 5pm to allow KCC to carry out the work.

There is a diversion in place via the A28 Canterbury Road, Faversham Road and The Pasture.

Nearby Ulley Road is also closed and will be shut until Thursday at Faversham Road and Upper Vicarage Road to enable urgent pavement and kerbing repairs.

Upper Vicarage Road is also closed from today for up to five days to allow for emergency gas works by SGN.

The sheer volume of roadworks have led to Stagecoach suspending some services.

The bus operator said: "Due to excessive roadworks our 1 service is unable to serve Upper Vicarage Street, Faversham Road and The Street.

"Our service will continue on the A28 until further notice.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused."