WORK is due to begin shortly on the multi-million pound transformation of the ring road in Ashford.

Temporary traffic lights will be put in place from January 22 in Station Road and Wellesley Road, as the one-way system is converted to a series of two-way streets.

Signs went up in the town this week warning of delays for 23 weeks, until the start of July, while the work is carried out.

The £11.3million makeover will also see 20mph speed limits put in place in a 'shared space' scheme, which aims to give equal priority to pedestrians.

Ashford council leader Paul Clokie was joined by Kent County Council leader Paul Carter symbolically dug the first turf at a ground-breaking.