A town is preparing for gridlock this weekend after Kent County Council confirmed it will shut a main road.

The highways authority has confirmed it plans to close a part of the A2 Canterbury Road in Faversham - which runs through the market town - on Sunday.

Between 7am and 7pm, the carriageway between Preston Park and Love Lane will be closed to facilitate resurfacing works – a move which has left residents concerned about disruption.

The diversion for motorway traffic will require drivers to use the A251 Faversham Road, turn onto the M2, and then come off at Brenley Corner and vice versa.

However, the closure and additional drivers using the motorway could cause further delays as Operation Brock checks take place at Brenley Corner.

The checks are to ensure lorry drivers are not attempting to bypass the M20 route and the traffic management system whereby freight traffic is staggered heading to Dover.

The non-motorway diversion will force motorists through The Mall, Forbes Road, Newton Road, East Street, Whitstable Road and Love Lane – a route which currently has three-way temporary traffic lights in place.

The decision to close the road has come as the authority wishes to carry out surface dressing, a process it says is a cost-effective way of prolonging the life expectancy of a road before any major repairs are needed.

KCC has been contacted for comment.