Nine months of work to replace the Orbital Park roundabout in Ashford with traffic lights will start at the end of the month, bosses have confirmed.

The ‘Bellamy Gurner’ project on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road was expected to begin last year but a ‘Christmas roadworks embargo’ delayed the scheme.

Workers from FM Conway, the company in charge of the build, have been making changes to land off the dual carriageway in recent months, but will start on the road itself from Monday, February 28.

Bosses say the majority of the works are expected to be completed by September but ‘high-friction surfacing’ aimed at improving grip will be laid in October.

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.

Seen as a way of improving traffic flow in the area, plans for the scheme first surfaced in the early 2000s.

Ashford Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) says he has been in contact with National Highways – formerly Highways England – about the works.

“I am pleased National Highways is aiming to minimise the impact on residents,” he said.

“In the long term, once work is completed, all of Ashford will benefit from reduced travel times along the A2070.

“Specifically, residents of Finberry and, in due course, Bridgefield will have improved access to the A2070 and Junction 10a.

“Bridgefield residents will have to wait for completion of the southern link road from Rutledge Avenue to Finberry.

"This will offer a much easier route to the A2070 without having to go via Finn Farm Road or Cheeseman's Green Lane, reducing traffic on rural roads.

However, he warned there would be disruption.

“As the work is being carried out, some patience will be required during the queues,” he added.

Cllr Bartlett says the project – being funded by Finberry housebuilder Crest Nicholson – is “part of the ongoing infrastructure improvements around Ashford”.

Once complete, the Sevington resident expects work on the long-awaited dual carriageway in Chart Road – between the ‘tank’ and Matalan roundabouts – will finally begin.

Meanwhile, temporary traffic lights on the A20 between Tesco Crooksfoot and the Pilgrims Hospice are expected to be removed on Friday.