The road running parallel to the A249 is due to be shut this weekend as work continues on a £92m flyover at junction 5 of the M2.

National Highways is closing Maidstone Road between the Stockbury roundabout and Wormdale Hill, near Sittingbourne, to enable the installation of a new drainage pipe.

The road, linking the Stockbury and Key Street roundabouts, is often used as an alternative route when the A249 is shut or congested.

The full closure will be happening from 5am Saturday, October 29, and until 5pm on Sunday October 30.

It is happening alongside the four month closure of the coast-bound entry and exit M2 slip roads and the closure of the A249 southbound between Bobbing and Stockbury last weekend.

A spokesman said: "By doing this as a full closure, we’ll be able to get this work done as quickly and safely as possible.

"Access will be maintained to properties south of Wormdale Hill throughout the closure.

"We know having additional closures while the slip roads are shut is not ideal, but we need to do this work to move onto the next phase of construction and keep our project on track.

"We’ll be working 24 hours a day to allow us to carry out as much work as possible during the closures."

For drivers wanting to access Maidstone Road from the Stockbury roundabout, follow the diversion route via the A249 Sheppey-bound towards Sittingbourne, then take the Key Street roundabout exit slip, at the Key Street roundabout take the fifth exit onto Chestnut Street and follow towards Maidstone Road.

For drivers wanting to access the Stockbury roundabout from Maidstone Road, follow the diversion route via Maidstone Road and Chestnut Street Sheppey-bound towards Sittingbourne, then at the Key Street roundabout take the first exit onto the A249 southbound towards Maidstone and exiting the A249 onto the Stockbury roundabout, where you can continue your journey.

The revamp, which will include a flyover for traffic heading to and from Maidstone and Sittingbourne, is set to be completed in 2025.