The planned closure of part of the A2 near Bluewater has been postponed due to contractors going into administration.

Work was due to take place on a new bridge across the major route between Bean and Gravesend on Friday, August 6 for the entire weekend.

How improvements at the A2 near Bean and Bluewater will take shape

Diversions were set to be put in place overnight as the entire stretch of the A2 from Ebbsfleet to the M25 was declared off-bounds until Monday 6am on Monday, August 9.

But these works have now been postponed due to the company appointed to build the bridge beams entering administration, according to Highways England.

It means the planned closure of the Bean bridge can no longer go ahead.

However, the government-owned company in charge of the works says it is still planning on carrying out other works which may require overnight closures.

In a communication it said: "We are currently looking at our options to complete the work during later August 2021, whilst maintaining our safety and high quality standards.

"We are still planning to carry the work out over the course of a weekend, but we are reviewing all options."

A spokesman for Highways England said no date has yet been confirmed as to when it is likely to carry out the work needed.

But said people can stay informed of its timetable of works via is scheme webpage and text messaging service.

Highways chiefs have dubbed the work a "major milestone" in the £112 million scheme.

The overhaul of the junction is planned due to increasing numbers of homes being built in the area over the coming years with 20,000 in the pipeline.

It was granted permission in June 2019 after approval from the Transport Secretary following a public inquiry.

The two junctions are 1.2 miles apart with Bean linking traffic with Bluewater and the Ebbsfleet junction joining the A2 with the B259 Southfleet Road.

The proposals will see the Bean junction retain its existing layout but making the roundabouts larger and with traffic lights.

This includes enlarging the current roundabouts and adding in new signalised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

At the Ebbsfleet junction, Highways England says the proposals "will broadly follow the existing road layout" but with the roundabouts extended and traffic lights installed.

A dual carriageway will be created to link the roundabouts with the A2 off slip roads kept and the slip roads on to the A2 widened.

Keep up-to-date with developments on transport and stories that will impact how you travel

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford