Heavy congestion is predicted as a main route between Herne Bay and Canterbury closes for three weeks.

The A291 Herne Street was shut between Albion Lane and School Lane this week, and will remain sealed off until Monday, September 3, to allow gas mains work to be carried out in the area.

The closure means motorists have to take alternative routes along Bullockstone Road and Thornden Wood Road when travelling between the town and city.

A driving campaigner fears it will cause major congestion in surrounding roads.

Terry Hudson, of the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “If the work’s got to be done, it’s got be done; but it’s certainly going to create traffic problems.

“Most people know a back route, but they’ll get congested – so we’ll see a lot more traffic.

“There will be problems, really big problems.

“It’s a big inconvenience. It just shows the volume of traffic using such minor roads.

“Every road around here is working to capacity.”

In particular, Mr Hudson believes it will highlight Bullockstone Road’s “inadequacies”.

“It will show up how bad Bullockstone Road is,” he said.

“The road’s collapsed already. It’s probably the worst in Kent.

“I drive a low car, so when I’m going towards Canterbury I try to get on the wrong side of the road.

“It is inadequate and its junction with Canterbury Road is really narrow and certainly not made for that sort of traffic.”

Bus routes through Herne have also been diverted and a shuttle service between Albion Lane and Canterbury Bus Station is in place.

The work is part of the second phase of Southern Gas Network’s upgrades in the village.

The third, and final, stage, which will be carried out early next month, will involve about three weeks of work and closures in Albion Lane between its junctions with Herne Street and Albion Close.