An 18-mile stretch of the M20 will be closed for 16 nights to allow for resurfacing works.

National Highways is to shut the coastbound carriageway between Junction 7 for Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford.

The first round of closures will take place from Monday (November 28) to Friday (December 2) between 9pm and 6am.

The same stretch will then be shut on weeknights between 8pm to 6am from Monday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 20.

Bosses say the work will reduce the risk of skidding and cut noise from vehicles using the stretch.

Due to emergency gas main repairs reducing the northbound A229 on Bluebell Hill to one lane, traffic will be diverted at Junction 7 to follow the A249 and A20 to rejoin the motorway at Junction 9.

But due to height restrictions, National Highways says HGVs and tall vehicles should follow a diversion route via the M20 Junction 6, A229, M2, A2, A20 and M20.

'The new road surface will be quieter and safer...'

Nicola Carley, National Highways project lead, said: “This is essential resurfacing work for the M20, and the new road surface will be quieter and safer.

"We are carrying out the work at night and before the Christmas period to keep disruption to a minimum, and, while frustrating for the people using the roads in Kent, we ask them to bear with us.

"We also advise people to plan their journeys and allow extra time if travelling overnight.”

Although the Operation Brock contraflow was lifted at the beginning of September, narrow lanes and a 50mph limit are still in place between Junctions 8 and 9.

Highways bosses are upgrading the central reservation to allow the concrete barrier – which is used to make the contraflow – to be stored there, but the works are not expected to be completed until next summer.