Drivers using the busiest junction in Faversham are banned from turning right onto the A2 for the next two weeks.

Kent County Council is enforcing the prohibition at the A251 and A2 London Road junction as part of the controversial £1.6 million project to install traffic lights at the snarled-up convergence.

Motorists coming off the A251 and wanting to head up towards Brenley Corner are instead being told to turn left.

The official 2.2-mile diversion directs drivers along the A2 past The Abbey School and through Ospringe.

When they reach the Western Link roundabout they then loop around and head back along the A2 and past the A251 junction.

The traffic order is expected to be enforced for the next fortnight, and is in place daily from 9am until 5pm.

Critics fear the right turn ban is "an accident waiting to happen" as it will inevitably lead to the use of smaller side streets, such as The Mall, from those not wanting to follow the longer diversion.

Last Monday, a pedestrian suffered serious leg injuries after being hit by a car near to Preston Grove - a small road off the A2, opposite the A251 junction.

Officers and ambulance crews were called and the woman was taken to the William Harvey Hospital.

Police say inquiries into the incident, which happened at about 2pm, are ongoing.

KCC says the decision to prohibit the right turn from the A251 is for "congestion relief".

Work on the junction redesign began way back in February, but installation of the permanent traffic lights is not due to be complete until November.

Temporary traffic lights have been in operation for months and many frustrated drivers claim the changes have made congestion in the town worse.

KCC however says the redesign will “improve access to Faversham, alleviating the current constraint on housing and commercial development”.

Installing a roundabout is the favoured option among many, but a three-way traffic signal plan was instead chosen.

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