Drivers are being warned to expect delays as Kent County Council gears up to tackle an 18-month road restoration project.

Starting from March, as many as 11 roads in and around Canterbury will be subject to patching and preservation works.

It means disruption to travel between the city and nearby towns Herne Bay, Whitstable, Faversham and Ashford could last until September 2025.

However, it has been confirmed works will be phased – meaning the routes will not be closed for the entire 18 months.

It comes after some residents on social media had voiced fears that key routes such as Thornden Wood Road, Chestfield Road and Radfall Road would be shut entirely for more than a year.

But the authority warns some roads will need to be closed on multiple occasions for each phase of the works.

Planned dates will be published in advance of the works and indicated by signs displayed on site 14 days before they start. But the closures will take place between March 18 and September 17 next year.

Affected roads are:

- Bekesbourne Lane will be closed from Bekesbourne Hill to the A257 High Street, Littlebourne. The alternative route will be via the A257 High Street, The Hill, Canterbury Road, A257 Littlebourne Road, Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne Hill and vice versa.

- Denstroude Lane in Denstroude and Dunkirk will shut from the A290 Honey Hill to Dargate Road. A diversion will be put in place via Dargate Road, Plumpudding Lane, Dargate Road, Fox’s Cross Hill, Fox’s Cross Road, A290 Pean Hill, A290 Honey Hill and vice versa.

- Station Road in Bekesbourne will be closed from School Lane to Bifrons Hill. The alternative route is via School Lane, Chalkpit Hill, Adisham Road, Adisham Downs Road, Bramling Road, Poor Start Lane, Coldharbour Lane, Bonny Bush Hill, Bridge Hill, High Street, Town Hill, Bekesbourne Road, Bifrons Hill and vice versa.

- Burnt House Hill in Stodmarsh will be shut off from Stodmarsh Road to Holly Bush Lane. The diversion will be Stodmarsh Road, Holly Bush Lane and vice versa.

- Clapper Hill in Waltham and Stelling Minnis will be closed from Duckpit Road to Dean Hill. The alternative route here will be via Duckpit Road, Lower Waltham Road, Dean Hill and vice versa.

- Thornden Wood Road in Herne Bay and Chestfield will be closed from Hackington Road to Owls Hatch Road. The diversion will be via Greenhill Road, A2990 Thanet Way, Chestfield Road, Radfall Hill, Radfall Road, Hackington Road and vice versa.

- Molehill Road, also in Chestfield and Herne Bay, will shut from Thornden Wood Road to Chestfield Road. The alternative route will be via Thornden Wood Road, Greenhill Road, A2990 Thanet Way, Chestfield Road and vice versa.

- Radfall Road and Radfall Hill in Chestfield will be closed from South Street to Thornden Wood Road. The diversion will be via Chestfield Road, A2990 Thanet Way, Greenhill Road, Thornden Wood Road, Hackington Road, Radfall Road, Radfall Hill and vice versa.

- Chestfield Road in Chestfield will be shut from South Street to Maydowns Road. The alternative route will be via Chestfield Road, A2990 Thanet Way, Greenhill Road, Thornden Wood Road, Hackington Road, Radfall Road, Radfall Hill, Chestfield Road and vice versa.

- Faussett Hill in Lower Hardres will be closed from Hardres Court Road to Bridge Road. The diversion is via Nackington Road, Old Dover Road, A28 Rhodaus Town, Pin Hill, Wincheap, Thanington Road, Ashford Road, Shalmsford Street, Chartham Downs Road, Street End and vice versa.

- Howfield Lane in Chartham will be closed from New Town Street to A28 Ashford Road. The alternative route is via Town Road, Hatch Lane, A28 Ashford Road and vice versa