The four-month closure of two slip roads between the M2 and the A249 has begun.

Sittingbourne’s Junction 5 coast-bound entry and exit slips was closed at 8pm last night and will reopen on Friday, January, 13.

The closure means motorists will not be able to access the Stockbury roundabout from the M2 coastbound or join the M2 coastbound at Stockbury.

National Highways has confirmed an 18-mile diversion which Google Maps says takes 21 minutes to complete, adding 11 miles to the normal route.

The coastbound entry slip diversion will take drivers to Junction 4 at Gillingham/Hempstead Valley and back again but the exit slip diversion directs traffic down Blue Bell Hill, onto the M20 and back up the A249 northbound.

However, the A2 through Rainham and Sittingbourne is likely to bear the brunt, with people fearing months of traffic problems.

Oad Street, between the A249 and Woodgate Lane, is now also closed until Monday, October 10.

National Highways will be finishing the widening work which started earlier this year.

For more information on the closures click here.

In a statement, National Highways said: “We are doing everything we can to encourage drivers to stick to the approved diversions, which have been chosen to be able to handle the flows of traffic experienced on the M2.

"The diversion routes used have been agreed with several local authorities and the emergency services.

"They are clearly signposted using yellow and black signs, as well as VMS signs as far back as the M25.

"We have communicated this closure well in advance via our website, bulletins, resident letters, drop in clinics, and signs on the road.

"These closures will be monitored and reviewed if necessary.

"We appreciate that these roadworks may cause delays and disruption, and are grateful for people’s patience while we deliver this important upgrade at junction 5 on the M2."