A section of the M20 is set to be closed over the course of a month to allow bridge repairs to take place.

The motorway will be closed in both directions overnight in Ashford while contractors work on overpasses.

The works, which will affect Junction 9 to Junction 10a, will also see both carriageways closed over full weekends.

There will also be a 50mph speed limit imposed on the coastbound carriageway between the bridges of Sandyhurst Lane (just before Junction 9) and Canterbury Road (just after).

Expected to start on Friday April 21, the overnight closures will take place between 8pm and 6am.

The full weekend closures would then take place between 8pm on Fridays and 6am on Mondays.

Traffic affected by the closures would be diverted using the A20, A28 and the A2070 in either direction.

A National Highways spokesman said: "These measures would be in the interests of road safety while contractors undertake bridge deck works and associated works.

"The temporary closures, speed restrictions and diversion routes would be clearly indicated by traffic signs when they are in operation during the works period."

It comes as work to replace Ashford's Orbital Park roundabout on A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road with a traffic light-controlled junction was delayed again.

The end date of the 'Bellamy Gurner' scheme has been repeatedly pushed back, with highways bosses now saying the task is not expected to be completed until the end of April – nearly a full year since it began.

The news has frustrated those who regularly use the road and rely on it in order for customers to reach their businesses.

'These measures would be in the interests of road safety...'

Owner Hassan Refare previously said the roadworks have driven some customers away.

He said: "I can carry one, two or three quiet days, it's a business sometimes it's busy sometimes it's not, but to not be busy for months at a time because of roadworks, I’m not sure I could carry on."

Harish Popat, National Highways programme delivery manager, asked that drivers bear with them during the final few weeks.

He said: "We thank road users for their patience and understanding while we create a new signalised junction on the A2070 in place of the existing Orbital Park roundabout and Avocet Way junction.

"This work is part of the new Finberry housing development in order to deliver a better and smoother traffic.

"To complete this work, we will be putting out some closures and we ask people to bear with us during these final stages."