A 50mph speed limit will be in force on a section of the M2 until the summer as improvements are carried out.

National Highways started work on drainage and safety barriers between Junction 5 near Sittingbourne and Junction 7 at Brenley Corner in Faversham today, with improvements set to last for months.

Between Junctions 5 and 6 there are now narrow lanes on the coastbound stretch, and this will be replicated between Junctions 5 and 7 from next Thursday, as well as a reduced speed limit.

The narrow lanes will be towards the hard shoulder at first but in mid-April, they will be moved towards the central reservation.

This is to allow improvements to the drainage and barriers on the hard shoulder.

Meanwhile, overnight closures on the M2 started on Tuesday, with the coastbound stretch shut from 8pm to 6am tonight and Sunday.

A diversion will be in place via the A249, M20, A20, A252, and A251.

Resurfacing work will also be carried out on Friday, Monday and Tuesday between Junctions 4 and 6 each night between 8pm and 6am. A diversion will be in place via the A229, M20, A20, A252, and A251.

The M2 London-bound between Junctions 7 and 5 will be closed overnight from Wednesday to Friday, January 19 - excluding Saturday, January 13 - from 8pm to 6am. A diversion will be in place via the A2, A20, M20 and A249.

The dedicated link between the M2 coastbound and the A299 New Thanet Way will be closed between 8pm and 6am on next Thursday and Friday. Motorists should use the roundabout to join the A299.

The carriageways on both sides of the M2 will need to be closed for up to seven nights when improvements to the drainage and barriers on the hard shoulder start in mid-April.

National Highways’ website states: “We are due to complete our improvements in summer 2024 when the narrow lanes will be removed. This work is subject to favourable weather conditions, for example, heavy rain may affect the progress.”