A stretch of the A2 will shut this weekend to allow for the maintenance of a bridge.

Highway bosses say the work on the structure, which carries the A2 over Patrixbourne Road between Dover and Canterbury, is “critical to maintaining and improving safety”.

The westbound carriageway between Bonny Bush Hill and Roman Road (A2050) will be closed on Saturday and Sunday between 8pm and 8am each night.

The essential maintenance includes replacing more than 20 bearings, which are the joints that attach the road deck to the supports below.

National Highways say it is using a mixture of closures and narrow lanes on the A2 to help traffic flow. The work started on October 30 and is expected to run into spring next year.

Patrixbourne Road, which passes under the A2, has been closed until the work is complete. A diversion is in place via Patrixbourne Road, The Street, Bifrons Hill, Bekesbourne Road, Town Hill and High Street.

The A2 will also be closed in both directions from 8pm on Saturday, December 9 until 8am Sunday, December 10.

A signed diversion will be in place via the A299 Thanet Way and A256 to the Whitfield roundabout during the closures.

A National Highways spokesman said: “We will need to close the road again to remove the narrow lanes once work is complete, and this is currently planned to be early March 2024.

“Keep an eye on [our website] and on social media for more details.

“Please note that these works are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather.”