Drivers have taken to social media to vent their frustrations as the A2 shuts for the weekend, the first of nine planned closures lasting until December.

Drivers heading for Dover this weekend face a 40-mile diversion through east Kent as resurfacing starts on the A2.

The stretch of dual carriageway will be completely shut off at weekends - sending drivers through Thanet or forcing them to use country lanes as rat runs.

The coast-bound carriageway between Brenley Corner and Canterbury will be closed from 6pm on Fridays to 6am on Mondays so vital repairs can be carried out on the road.

The Highways Agency says the inconvenience is unavoidable as the surface of the six-mile stretch is starting to break up.

Dover-bound vehicles, especially HGVs, will be diverted down the Thanet Way to Manston and will reach the port via the A256 Eastry and Whitfield by-passes.

But highways bosses admit motorists with local knowledge and wanting to get to Canterbury and the surrounding villages will find alternative routes.

The A290 through Blean, in particular, could bear the brunt of Canterbury-bound traffic.

But signs are being put up on the motorways to tell HGV drivers to switch off their sat navs when they get to Brenley Corner at Faversham so they are not led down unsuitable roads.

Even the slip roads in and out of Boughton will be closed and the Holiday Express, Texaco garage and three homes on the section of the closed carriageway will be isolated at weekends.

The agency says it has made special arrangements for the businesses and properties to be able to use the road under repair by issuing passes and escorting vehicles needing access.

The work is due to end on December 1.

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