Motorists are being warned of traffic chaos from this weekend as a key road into Canterbury is closed for almost a week.

Sweechgate - used as a popular rat run through Broad Oak, will shut from Saturday, January 27, for an estimated six days.

It will allow for work on a new sewer connection to service a housing development at the former Royal Oak pub site.

Sweechgate is typically used by motorists heading from Herne Bay into the city.

Its closure will likely lead to long jams on the already congested Sturry level crossing.

Alan Holden, of the Broad Oak Preservation Society, said: “This will divide our village in two and create immense disruption.

“Stagecoach is suspending the bus service through the village for a week, meaning many of the elderly residents at Bluebell Woods and Dengrove Park will be unable to get into Canterbury for shopping.”

The road will be shut between the junctions with Shalloak Road and Barnet’s Lane.

The new sewer will serve 13 homes being built on the former pub site. BT will also be carrying out work at the same time.