The completion of infuriating roadworks that have dragged on since last year will be delayed for another month, it has emerged.

Work to replace Ashford's Orbital Park roundabout on A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road with a traffic light-controlled junction started in May and was initially set to end in October.

But the end date for the upgrades, known as the ‘Bellamy Gurner’ scheme, has repeatedly pushed back.

Now, highways bosses say the task is not expected to be completed until the end of April - nearly a full year since it begun.

The news has frustrated those who regularly use the road and rely on it in order for customers to reach their businesses.

On hearing of the latest pushed back deadline, tyre fitter Zai Aldo, from Ashford Kent Tyre at nearby Orbital Park, said: "That's horrible.

"The business has already been affected a lot.

"Customers have had difficulty getting here. This will further affect the business."

Owner Hassan Refare previously said the roadworks have driven some customers away.

He said: "I can carry one, two or three quiet days, it's a business sometimes it's busy sometimes it's not, but to not be busy for months at a time because of roadworks, I’m not sure I could carry on."

Harish Popat, National Highways programme delivery manager, asked that drivers bear with them during the final few weeks.

He said: "We thank road users for their patience and understanding while we create a new signalised junction on the A2070 in place of the existing Orbital Park roundabout and Avocet Way junction.

"This work is part of the new Finberry housing development in order to deliver a better and smoother traffic.

"To complete this work, we will be putting out some closures and we ask people to bear with us during these final stages."

National Highways explained some delays last year were due to road space restriction because of Operation Brock being in place.

It says delays this year are mainly because of bad weather.

The high friction surface could not be completed when planned, which has affected the scheme programme.

The agency added contractor FM Conway wants to book road space during April to finish that and will not be expected to finish until the end of the month.

As part of the project, the Avocet Way junction which leads to the Finberry housing estate will be upgraded, allowing drivers to turn right onto the A2070 for the first time.

Residents at Finberry previously said they felt like prisoners in their own homes as the roadworks have caused gridlock on the only route into their estate.

In addition, one resident claimed there were three crashes at the new junction in one day, last Friday.

During one incident, a traffic light column was damaged.

Speaking to KentOnline, they said: "One was in the morning rush hour, a minor one early afternoon and one in the evening.

"It's an absolute joke. Never thought I'd say it but the roundabout seemed so much better, safer, in comparison. I really hope it settles down."

More red faces were caused last week when a new sign for the area misspelt the suburb of Newtown as "Newton".

The incorrect sign has since been replaced.