An MP has hailed a u-turn from Highways England to keep the M20 open on Remembrance Sunday.

Highways England was branded "disrespectful" for planning to close a four-mile stretch of the M20 on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Concerns had been raised the closure would clash with planned closures for Remembrance Parades - after villages were congested at the weekend when the old bridge over Teapot Lane was removed.

Now Highways England has revealed junction four to six of the M20 will reopen on November 11, even if work to install a new bridge isn't finished.

A Highways England spokesperson said: "We are pleased to confirm that the M20 will be open to traffic on Remembrance Sunday. The Teapot Lane footbridge over the M20 is an important community asset and we want to reinstate it as soon as possible. We understand that motorway closures inevitably cause disruption, and do our best to plan them to keep disruption to a minimum.

"We chose the weekend of 9-12 November for this vital work after speaking with our partners in local councils and the emergency services, and on the understanding that the impact on traffic for Remembrance Sunday would be acceptable.

"However, responding to local concerns, we will ensure that we re-open the M20 by early Sunday morning and, if necessary, complete the bridge installation the following weekend of 16-19 November, which we have set aside as a contingency.”

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch wrote to Highways England earlier this week urging a chance in date.

She said: "This is a welcome u-turn from Highways England, who have clearly listened to concerns from local residents about the impact their closure and the road closures for Remembrance Parades would have in the area.

"Common sense has prevailed."