A structural issue has been identified with the surface on various sections of the A20, from the Eastern Docks and Western Heights roundabout.

This is six years after the road surface was first laid back in 2008.

To rectify this, the Highways Agency has brought in construction firm LaFarge to carry out the work starting tonight for three weeks, weather permitting.

The work will take place overnight, from 8pm to 6am.

According to the Highways Authority, they had previously had meetings with the district council and the Port of Dover to establish the best way to go about repairing the road.

A statement released by the authority said: “Investigations have shown that remedial works will provide a long-term solution and also improve road safety.”

Gary Burn, contract manager, from Lafarge, said: “There is a structural issue with the material, obviously the road is highly trafficked with heavy goods vehicles. The idea is just to come in and replace the defected areas.

“We have surveyed it over a period of time, and, based on our analysis we have identified that it does need to be replaced, which is why we are coming in now.

“In general, we hope it will last up to 10 years.”

'In general, we hope it will last up to 10 years.' - Gary Burn, contract manager, Lafarge.

The Port of Dover will be upgrading the Union Street and York Street junctions during 2015 and repairs at these locations will be carried out as part of the upgrades.

Over the three weeks, the work pattern has been split up into sections, meaning that there will be various road closures.

A statement reads: “Sections of road will be closed between the Eastern Docks roundabout and the Courtwood interchange in phases.”

These changes also mean that there will be no access from the A20 onto the A256 Woolcomber Street and other roads such as Snargate Street, York Street, Mill Lane, Russell Street, East Cliff, Marine Parade, Athol Terrace, Union Street, Wellesley Road, Old Folkestone Road, Elizabeth Street, and the Viaduct.