Drivers are being advised to take a 25-mile diversion when a 0.7-mile stretch of road is shut later this month.

The alternative routes suggested by Kent County Council when the A251 Ashford Road in Faversham is closed between July 23 and September 2 take non-motorway drivers all the way to Canterbury.

While motorists who can use the motorway are advised to use the M2 until Brenley Corner and join the A2 from there and vice versa, those who can’t face a diversion which would take around 45 minutes.

Non-motorway drivers heading to Ashford are instructed to go all the way into Canterbury city centre, taking the A2 to Harbledown, continuing past Wincheap and then joining Maidstone Road (A252).

People driving into Faversham are asked to take Canterbury Road (A252), continue to the A28 and then join the A2 at Thanington.

Among those worried is Jeff Tutt, chairman of Dunkirk Parish Council, who fears the lengthy diversion will be ignored by drivers keen to avoid Brenley Corner, meaning small, rural lanes will become snarled with traffic.

“It just seems ridiculous when they could suspend motorway regulations for a mile-and-a-half, from the A251 to Brenley Corner, for about six weeks so that everybody can use it,” he said.

“It’s mad, especially when you think about the costs of it. They have got to signpost the whole of the way through and will also have to get banksmen.

“The A251 is a major, major road and to have that taken out of service is going to cause a lot of problems.

“We accept it’s got to be done, but come on guys, use your brain cells.”

KCC spokesman Thom Morris says the route is the only one available using similar main roads.

“The length of these diversion routes is so they are of an equivalent standard to be suitable for use by all vehicles diverted,” he said.

The A251 will be closed for six weeks while a new roundabout and pedestrian crossing leading into the Perry Court housing development is built.

Emergency services and Ashford Road residents will still be permitted to use the road.

The 666 bus route will be diverted during this time, with services into Faversham using the M2 up to Junction 7 and rejoining its normal route at The Mall, and services to Ashford doing the reverse.