Closures of a major route have been extended as work continues on the £92 million revamp of one of Kent's busiest junctions.

National Highways chiefs have revealed further dates on which the A249 between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing will be sealed off, as teams continue the eight-figure transformation project.

Officials say the recent series of weekend closures north of Junction 5 of the M2 have allowed them move "ahead of schedule".

The scheme - which will see a new flyover for traffic travelling between Maidstone and Sittingbourne and re-configured slip-roads added to the route - promises to cut queues along the frequently congested A249.

A National Highways spokesman said: "This does mean there are some additional week night and weekend closures until early April.

"We appreciate these additional closures will have an impact on drivers and the local community, but by doing them now, it means fewer closures and less disruption in the future."

This weekend the A249 Sheppey-bound between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing is fully closed until 5am on Monday.

It will also be shut from 8pm on Friday, March 10, until 5am on March 13.

During these closures, there will be lanes will be intermittently sealed off on the Maidstone-bound carriageway of the A249, but traffic will still be able to use the route.

The announcement comes a month after the coastbound entry and exit of the M2 at Junction 5 for Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Maidstone reopened.

Its four-month closure meant motorists heading towards the coast along the M2 were forced to follow lengthy diversions earlier this year.

In January drone pictures revealed what progress had been made at the site ahead of the reopening of the newly designed slip roads.

The A249 Maidstone-bound between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing will also be sealed off overnight from 8pm this Wednesday until 5am the following day.

The stretch will be shut from 8pm on March 13, until 5am on March 15, and from 8pm on March 27 until 5am on March 31.

There will also be two weekend closures in a row along the same route, with the first starting on March 17.