Drivers are set to be directed along an 18-mile detour while the main route between Canterbury and Herne Bay is sealed off.

Kent County Council has revealed Calcott Hill in Sturry will be shut on Tuesday for several days while teams undertake carriageway repairs.

Officials are urging motorists to take a huge diversion along the A299 Thanet Way, before turning off at St Nicholas-at-Wade to travel into the city while the closure is in place.

But those living in Hoath fear commuters will instead cut through their historic village, transforming it into a busy rat-run as children return to school.

“Traffic through here is an increasing problem, as people already use it to cut through all the way down to Sturry,” Hoath Parish Council chairman Imogen Morizet told KentOnline.

“People do not respect the speed limit, which is driving us all mad, and the roads aren’t built for heavy-duty traffic.

“I’m anticipating the roads will be flooded with even more cars, and there's the potential for accidents to happen as we're going to have people running late and getting frustrated.

“I’m going to be bombarded with messages from people venting their frustration about this, and quite rightly so."

Ms Morizet also believes “it would be useful if KCC considered blocking access” to Hoath's main stretch, Maypole Road, for the duration of the project.

The work will take place while the county council continues its multi-million-pound improvement scheme in Bullockstone Road.

The rat-run – regularly used by those heading between the Bay and Canterbury – is shut until August, while teams equip it with a widened carriageway and two roundabouts.

Herne resident Alistair Russell, who works for construction firm Ian Sayer & Co, estimates his trips into the city could be made three times as long by the closures.

"People are going to pour through Hoath or Thornden Wood Road instead of along the diversion," he explained.

"It's just another pain for everybody in Herne.

"It's going to add another 20 minutes, half an hour to journeys to Canterbury, when it would usually take me 15 minutes.

"There seems to be a lack of coordination with the highway projects, but I'm assuming it's emergency work and needs doing."

Authority officials say Calcott Hill will be closed for as many as eight days.

The stretch will be sealed off between the Punch Tavern pub and Long Shaw Farm.

A traffic notice issued by the county council states: “The alternative route is through the A291 Canterbury Road, A299 Thanet Way, St Nicholas-at-Wade roundabout and A28.

“This is to enable us to carry out carriageway maintenance.”

Bosses of bus operator Stagecoach stress most of its day-time routes will be sent along the official diversion.

But for school-time buses, all number 6 and some Triangle services will be allowed to run through the roadworks.

"I’m anticipating the roads will be flooded with even more cars..."

“We have worked very closely with KCC to minimise disruption for people travelling by bus,” a Stagecoach spokesman said.

“We're pleased school-time services, as well as all route 6 buses and early morning and evening Triangle buses, will be permitted access to run the usual route.

“All other buses will divert using the Thanet Way."

KCC has been approached for further comment.