A two-and-a-half month closure of the A20 in Ashford has begun, signalling the start of yet more disruption for drivers.

Kent County Council has shut the stretch between the Pilgrims Hospice and Tesco Extra in both directions to allow for the installation of traffic lights outside a new housing estate.

It is the latest in a series of roadworks on the busy route, which links Junctions 10 and 10a but has been closed numerous times in the last two years.

Contractor Tamdown Ltd will be fitting traffic lights outside the 192-home Hinxhill Park estate, which is being built by Belway Homes and was approved in 2017.

The road was closed this morning and is set to reopen on Wednesday, December 22.

Earlier this year, the same stretch was shut for two weeks to allow contractors to install an electricity supply for the new estate.

Before that, contractors closed the road to carry out drainage improvements and install gas mains.

Due to the nature of the latest works, KCC says the A20 will not be reopening outside of working hours, with drivers instead told to use a diversion on the A2070 link road.

In 2022, more traffic lights will be installed in Ashford when contractor FM Conway starts work on the 'Bellamy Gurner' scheme on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road.

Work to replace the existing Orbital Park roundabout with lights was expected to start in the summer, but KCC is enforcing a ‘Christmas roadworks embargo’ to keep the route clear over the festive season.

FM Conway workers have moved onto the site but are currently only focusing on land off the main A2070.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford