Highways chiefs have been forced to close parts of a busy dual-carriageway in Kent amid fears subsidence has made the road unsafe.

A long section of the A299 Thanet Way has been reduced to one lane, while four consecutive overnight closures will be carried out from Monday to Thursday.

Big yellow signs warn drivers of subsidence, which can cause cracks and unevenness and, in the worst cases, sinkholes.

The inside lane has been coned off along a section of the road either side of the coastbound turn-off for Whitstable.

An emergency 50mph limit has been imposed, but traffic has been left crawling between Faversham and just past Whitstable, with a journey of five minutes now taking close to 30 at the busiest times.

On driver said: "Not long after Brenley Corner everything slowed down, and then for about two miles we were going at a snail's pace.

"I just thought everyone must be heading for Whitstable to make the most of the sun, but then saw these big yellow signs warning of subsidence in the road.

"You can't be too careful with things like that, so it makes sense not to take any risks until it's sorted."

Work to repair the road surface is due to start tomorrow, with the closures set to be in place until August 14.

Kent County Council says it has shut off the inside lane "for the safety of the public due to the uneven road surface".

"The restrictions will be lifted as soon as repair works are completed and it is safe to do so," it adds in a traffic notice.