Hated roadworks that have been causing long tailbacks since May will now drag on until Christmas, bosses have confirmed.

Work to remove the Orbital Park roundabout in Ashford and replace it with traffic lights was supposed to finish next month, but has been delayed due to Operation Brock and issues at the Port of Dover.

Disruption was reduced over the summer when road bosses asked contractors to ease off while high volumes of holiday traffic were expected.

But queues returned on A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road last week when lane closures were reintroduced, causing long delays in the area.

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson – which is funding the scheme – says it is now aiming to finish the project in December.

Called 'Bellamy Gurner', the plan first surfaced in the early 2000s and is seen as a way of improving traffic flow in the area.

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson, which is behind the nearby Finberry housing estate, said: “We can confirm that the traffic management on the A2070 in Ashford has been reinstated, and works have recommenced, following National Highway’s approval.

"We are endeavouring to complete the works before Christmas, and are working closely with National Highways to do so.

"We thank local residents for their patience. We’ll share further updates as soon as we can.”

A National Highways spokesperson confirmed that, now Operation Brock has been removed from the M20, the A2070 works can fully restart.

She says the completion date "as it stands" is mid-December.

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

Changes to the roundabout – which will be turned into a traffic light-controlled junction – were supposed to start at Easter but were pushed back twice because of Operation Brock.

Disruption on the M20 meant contractors were told to hold off as the A2070 formed part of the 'official' six-mile Operation Brock diversion through Ashford.

When work finally began in May, lane closures caused huge tailbacks across Ashford which have continued.

Construction was also put on hold over the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend and over the summer holidays to ease traffic chaos as far more vehicles than normal were expected to use the road.

Despite the delays, Ashford Borough Council's deputy leader, Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con), insists it will be worth it in the end.

"As far as the new traffic lights are concerned, I'm pleased it will be done by Christmas," he said.

"We have had five years of disruption with Junction 10a and then the traffic light scheme, so it will be great to bring it to a close.

"Last week was a challenge moving around with the lane restrictions back in place.

"All I can say is, I know it will be worth it (and thanks to residents for bearing with the council)."

Cllr Bartlett says "it will be nice to have it all done before the A28 duelling starts", which will see Chart Road, between the 'tank' and Matalan roundabouts, turned into a dual carriageway.

"We don't have a date for that yet, but at least we won't have two big projects in Ashford being done at the same time," he said.