National Highways has announced roadworks starting today as it moves ahead with plans to reconfigure Junction 5 of the M2 at the Stockbury Roundabout.

The authority has completed the first phase of its £92m scheme, which was moving the utility pipes on the southbound carriageway of the A249.

Starting tonight at 10pm, it will carry out similar work on the northbound carriageway.

That will result in the closure of the A249 northbound lane between Rumstead Lane and the Stockbury roundabout until 5am on Monday.

In addition motorist will not be able to access the A249 via Church Hill from Stockbury this weekend as it will be closed from the Honeycrock Hill intersection.

The diversion for motorway traffic is to take the M20 westbound towards London to Junction 6, then join the A229 northbound towards Gillingham.

At the Lord Lees roundabout stay on the A229, but at the next roundabout take the third exit, on to the M2 eastbound towards Canterbury. Take the M2 Junction 5 eastbound exit slip to access the Stockbury interchange

National Highways warns that the diversion could add 25 minutes to normal journey times.

There will be more closures the following weekend.

The A249 northbound lane between the Stockbury roundabout and Key Street roundabout will be closed from 10pm on Friday, January 28, until 5am on Monday, January 31.

The diversion will be along the Maidstone Road to the Key Street roundabout, then take the third exit to Sheppey Way. At the next roundabout take the second exit to A249 northbound entry slip.

Overnight closures of Oad Street due to run for a week from this Monday have been postponed.

For more information call 0300 123 5000 or email m2j5@highwaysengland.co.uk