Despite advance warnings of a new A2 junction opening, many drivers have fallen foul of unfamiliar signage and spent extra minutes driving round a roundabout looking for the right exit.

Some even gave up and, thinking the Tollgate junction at Gravesend was now closed, doubled back and drove to Ebbsfleet to use the junction there instead.

The confusion began on Tuesday morning after vehicles were directed onto the new London-bound stretch of the A2 between Cobham and Pepperhill.

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Congestion also increased on the first day, with some motorists having a 30-minute wait to get through the new layout.

At the same time, the new slip road leading onto the A2 from Wrotham Road was opened, while the old one off to the left of the Tollgate roundabout was closed.

Signs were put up by the Highways Agency directing people around the new layout, but reports of driver confusion came from both those exiting the A2 and those using the Tollgate junction to get onto it.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "With a new road layout it always takes a little time for regular drivers to get used to it.

"However, the signs do conform to the regulations, and as far as I’m aware, we haven’t had any complaints from motorists.

"In the meantime we would ask people to drive with a bit more caution until they get used to the changes."