Motorists should expect long delays as a three lane closure on the M2 comes into force today.

It is because of work being done on the Medway Bridge and means lanes one and two between junctions 3 for Chatham and 1 for Strood and Rochester will be closed from 8pm to 6am today, as well as lane three, between Junctions 2 and 3.

There is currently a 24 hour lane closure on the westbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 3, and a 50mph speed restriction through this section. This will remain in place until Tuesday 13 November.

The Westbound carriageway is fully closed between junction 4 and 3 from 8pm to 6am today also.

In addition there will be an eastbound exit slip closure at junction 3 on Monday 5 November for six nights between 8pm and 6am. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the next available junction.

Drivers have faced multiple closures along the road and they are set to continue into December.

The road is being resurfaced in both direction and maintenance crews are replacing the bridge joints in the London-bound carriageway.

As of Monday, lanes two and three of the M2 London-bound between J2-3 will be closed from 6am to 8pm until Tuesday, November 13.

Lane one at junction 2 will also be closed between 8pm and 6am from Tuesday, November 13 to Thursday, November 15.

Junction 2-3 of the M2 coast-bound and the J2 on-slip is closed between 8pm to 6am from Tuesday, November 20 to Friday, November 23.

Residents received a letter from Highways England which explained all of the delays.

It said: "In order to carry out these works as efficiently and as safely as possible, work will be undertaken under a series of full closures to resurface the road and lane closures to replace bridge joints."

It also said there will "inevitably be some noise and disruption" generated by these works, which they apologised for.

They also wrote that "every effort has been made to ensure disruption to nearby residents is kept to a minimum."

Lane three of the westbound carriageway at junction 3 will be closed between 8pm and 6am on Wednesday, November 13.

It will also be closed from 3 to 2 from Wednesday, November 14 to Friday, November 16, on Friday, November 23 to Saturday, November 24 and from Monday, December 3, to Thursday, December 6.

There will also be closures on the westbound carriageway between junction 4 and 2 between 8pm and 6am from Wednesday, November 14, to Thursday, January 24 and between junctions 4 and 3 from 9pm on Tuesday, October 30 to 6am on Thursday, November 15

The scheme is expected to be complete in March.

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