Motorists travelling on the A229 between Maidstone and Medway can expect lengthy detours and long delays in the weeks ahead.

Kent County Council has passed a temporary traffic order that will close the Running Horse Roundabout to all traffic for two weeks starting on October 21, which will also limit access to the M20.

The “overnight” closure is to enable resurfacing, lining, and signing works to be carried out, with the road closed for 12 hours from 7pm each evening.

During the works, parking will be banned in Rochester Road, Pratling Street and Beddow Way, which will be used as diversion routes.

With the road not scheduled to re-open until 7am, Maidstone MPs Helen Whately and Helen Grant, and Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch, fear there will be traffic chaos and hold-ups for many businesses and commuters trying to get to work in the morning.

They have jointly written to Simon Jones, KCC’s director of highways, asking him to re-open the road earlier – they suggest 5am.

The MPs say: “While the improvement work is to be welcomed, we are concerned that the overnight work finishes too late in the morning.”

“There are many people in our constituencies who are on the road very early in the morning and who use the Running Horse Roundabout. They will be severely impacted.”

Kent County Council has been contacted for comment.