People living along a busy road that’s likely being used as a rat run during a three-week motorway slip closure are preparing for “nightmare” roadworks that will stop motorists from taking a shortcut that could reduce congestion.

Part of Lower Rainham Road, by the Three Sisters pub in Rainham, will be closed from tomorrow (Monday, May 20) until Sunday, June 9, for drainage works.

The full closure comes at the same time as the National Highways’ M2 Junction 5 coast-bound slip closure for the multi-million pound Stockbury flyover project.

It is in place until Monday, June 10, along with a lane closure on the A249 Sheppey-bound from Stockbury Roundabout towards Key Street.

Once the work being carried out is complete, there will be space for traffic coming from the Stockbury Roundabout and M2 coastbound to safely merge with traffic from the flyover.

Although this closure is about seven miles away from the one in Rainham, those living in the Medway town fear the two coinciding with each other will cause a disastrous effect on local traffic due to motorists ignoring the official Blue Bell Hill diversion that will take them down to Detling Hill to join the A249 Sittingbourne and Sheppey-bound.

Steve Goodwin, who lives along the A2 London Road in Rainham, fears motorists who would usually come off for Sittingbourne from the M2 will neglect the diversion and instead cut through Medway to get to Swale.

The 45-year-old dad-of-three explained: “Now that coastbound slip road is closed people going to Sittingbourne won’t go via the Blue Bell Hill diversion, they’ll drive through Rainham instead.

“The roadworks are a nightmare they just need that new flyover to open.”

The IT manager works just 15 minutes away from his house but says on a good day it can take about half an hour due to all the roadworks in the area.

He added: “I usually go to work via Lower Rainham Road but now, with it being closed, I am going to have to get there by using the main road with all the other traffic.

“I’ve lived here for eight years and the amount of traffic has gotten worse since work began on the M2 Junction 5 project. “

Malcolm Collins, one of the directors of The Angel pub, which is located along Lower Rainham Road, says the closure couldn’t have come at a worse time.

He said: “The closure across the Bank Holiday weekend (May 24, 25 and 26) will be catastrophic for business in the area.”

The works planned are being undertaken by Marron Civil Engineering.

Lower Rainham Road will be closed in the vicinity of The Three Sisters Roundabout while drainage works are undertaken.

For information regarding this closure contact Marron Civil Engineering on 0208 601 7100.

Kent County Council spokesman said: "The road closure of part of Lower Rainham Road is for installing a storm water drain in the highway required for the Redrow Homes housing developments in the area.

“The road closure is to allow for space to ensure the works are done safely.

“The works were planned at this time to utilise the school half-term holiday when there is less traffic on the roads."

A diversion is in place via Otterham Quay Lane, the High Street and Station Road.

There has been long delays on the A2 over the weekend due to temporary traffic lights at the Otterham Quay Lane junction du.

Living further up the A2, in Newington, is David Moyler.

The Playstool Road resident is also dreading the traffic carnage that is likely to be caused by the closures.

The 68-year-old said: “When the A2 is used by traffic from the M2, Newington becomes a bottleneck.

“They need to stop building houses around here because it leads to more people and cars which further congest the roads.

“I’ve lived here for 24 years and it has definitely gotten worse since new housing estates have been built nearby. It is crazy.

“The A249 improvements are good but I do think it will lead to traffic bottlenecking at Detling and with the M2 slip closed there will be so much congestion along the A2.

“Last time they shut the M2 we had juggernauts coming down Playstool Road.

“If an accident happens on the M2 and traffic is diverted it is horrendous, all because of one little accident.

“Hopefully we’ll be moving Lincolnshire way soon because of things like this happening near us.

“We did love Kent but there is nothing to love now.”

National Highways has been contacted regarding the residents’ concerns about motorists not following the M2 J5 slip closure diversion.