A section of the M20 will be closed this weekend as part of plans to widen a bridge.

The work on the M20 junction 4 will provide extra carriageway space on the junction gyratory system.

It will be done in two stages starting on Saturday, October 8.

The southbound road will be reduced to one lane from 3pm.

This will allow the bridge beam to be brought in on the back of a lorry in the outside lanes.

Temporary working platforms will then be fixed to the beams prior to installation over the motorway.

The M20 closure will then be put in place from 8pm.

The beams will then be moved onto the existing bridge ready for installation.

Two mobile cranes will set up on the motorway close to the bridge and will operate in tandem to lift the beams into the new position next to the existing bridge.

The road is then expected to be reopened from 3am.

When the M20 is closed the motorway traffic will be diverted up and down the slip roads.

The A228 northbound from West Malling to Snodland and the Medway Towns will remain open at all times.

There will be two separate diversions for traffic using the A228 southbound from Snodland to West Malling.

London-bound motorway traffic and large vehicles will be diverted onto the coastbound M20 to junction 5 and back to junction 4 on the London-bound carriageway.

Non motorway traffic will be diverted via New Hythe Lane and the A20 back to the A228.

The work to widen the eastern bridge to gain an extra lane is being carried out by John Sisk and Son and is being managed by consultants Amey, under the direction of the County Council’s Major Projects Team.

The scheme is funded by contributions from developers and from Local Growth Funding provided by the government to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Work will continue on the project throughout October and November and once new traffic signals and finishing works have been completed, it is expected to be ready before Christmas.

KCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Matthew Balfour said: “Once this work is complete we believe it will reduce congestion, improve the operation of the junction and generally improve safety.

“We have timed this work to ensure there will be minimal impact the travelling public.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works and we appreciate the ongoing traffic management will be inconvenient and particularly difficult for drivers coming from the Snodland direction.

“We are working hard to ensure the works will be completed as quickly as possible.”

Anyone with queries can email M20J4MajorProject@kent.gov.uk or contact Ros O’Flynn at rosoflynn@sisk.co.uk or on 07423433399.