Night closures for the A20 improvements will be suspended over the Christmas period.

The Port of Dover has decided on the moratorium to avoid traffic disruption during the busy period and the closures will return in January.

Port of Dover spokesman Antony Greenwood said: “The A20 Junction Improvement Scheme has made good progress over recent weeks.

“However, to avoid disruption to ferry customers and Dover people throughout the Christmas period, we have decided to avoid any further night closures during 2016 to ensure 24-hour flow of traffic.”

Single lane running in both directions will remain in place throughout the festive break with vehicle recovery and traffic management maintenance.

The new traffic lights that have recently been installed will not be commissioned until overall completion of the scheme in the New Year and therefore right turns will remain unavailable to ensure traffic remains free flowing.

The January night closures are to complete the works safely for London-bound traffic in the York Street area.

The works will then conclude with the traffic lights at Woolcomber Street upgraded before the 52-week scheme concludes in February 2017.

There had been seven night closures on the town’s A20 between November 17 and 25, from 9pm to 5am. Diversion routes were provided.

The roadworks include replacing roundabouts with traffic lights and are part of the Port of Dover’s major redevelopment, the Dover Western Docks Revival.