A busy tunnel was closed this morning as road bosses prepared for significant traffic heading towards ferry terminals.

The A20 Roundhill Tunnel was shut eastbound between the M20 J13 (A259/A2034) and the A260 near Folkestone.

The closure was put in place by officials to prevent traffic queueing inside the tunnel following the implementation of Operation TAP for the Port of Dover. TAP was stood down early this afternoon, although no update has yet been given on the tunnel closure.

Road users are advised to follow the hollow black circle diversion symbol on road signs.

Drivers should exit M20 at J13 and go onto the A259 Churchill Avenue, travel east to the A260 Canterbury Road roundabout, take the first exit onto the A260 Canterbury Road and head north and at the Spitfire Way roundabout, take the third exit onto the A20 coastbound.

Dover TAP – a temporary traffic management system which queues port-bound lorries in the left lane of the A20 after the tunnel - was implemented as a result of significant volumes of traffic heading for the port today.

It is a move taken to prevent Dover from becoming congested and help to improve its air quality by ensuring the town is kept free of stationary port-bound traffic.

A 40mph speed restriction applies to all vehicles approaching Dover from the west via the A20.

Those heading to France using the Kent ports are advised to plan ahead, leave extra time for their journey and to check with their operator before they travel.