Alan Howland had planned to cause chaos during the Tour de France

Truck drivers had been accused of using Bekesbourne Road in Bridge as a rat-run to the nearby A2.

Villagers threatened to publicise their campaign by disrupting a stage of the Tour de France cycle race.

However, they have called off their protests after Kent Highways agreed to provide new signs and impose restrictions in the area.

The agency said signs will divert drivers away from Bekesbourne Road, and there will be a seven-and-a-half tonne weight limit through Bridge.

One resident, Alan Howland, said the village was being used as a rat-run because drivers miss the slip road to Canterbury on the A2.

However, he added: "I don't think we should fool ourselves in thinking that just because there's a sign up that HGVs are going to take notice of it.

"These restrictions will need policing."

Kent Highways manager Matthew Sims said he hoped the residents of Bridge would now feel reassured that something was being done.

He said signs were being delivered next week and would be put up as soon as all the relevant arrangements had been made.