A five-month roadwork scheme is set to cause major disruption in the town centre.

Kent County Council will be carrying out £400,000 of safety improvements to the traffic light Junctions at Somerset Road and Mace Lane.

Both areas have been identified because of a number of crashes involving pedestrians and congestion problems.

The first leg of the work, which will start on Saturday, April 9, will involve staggering the crossing points at Somerset road and installing extra push buttons on the central reservation.

Workers will also have to widen the road and this is expected to last for 10 weeks.

The second set of works will involve similar improvements to the nearby junction of Mace Lane with Wellesley Road and will last a further 10 weeks.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: "We appreciate this work will cause disruption whilst it is being carried out and we would ask residents and businesses to bear with us.

"We have attempted to keep disruption to a minimum and we would welcome anyone with specific issues to discuss their needs as the work progresses.

"Once completed there will be increased capacity at the junctions and the positive safety aspects for people crossing."

Drivers are asked to follow diversion routes via Magazine Road and keep checking the council website for information and updates.

It is hoped the work will improve traffic flow at busy times by increase the junction capacity.

Visit www.kent.gov.uk for the latest.