RELIEF is coming at long last to Ashford's notorious traffic bottleneck at Willesborough.

Access to and from South and East Ashford should be much easier this time next year, following the start of work on improving the M20 Junction 10 roundabout.

"The trees and vegetation have been removed to allow preparatory, geo-technical and investigative work of ground conditions to begin," said council spokesman Adrian Westwood.

"Residents have already noted how much more tidy the area looks and some have commented on the increased visibility approaching and around the junction.

"This is not only part of the improvement works but also improves the safety of the roundabout, now. Some residents along Hythe Road are affected by the clearance works, so we have made sure that there is still a line of trees between them and the motorway."

The main construction work is expected to start in April 2005 and should be finished before the end of the year.

"The two road bridges over the motorway will be expanded to allow for three lanes by using the current grass verge and footpath. A separate bridge will be provided for pedestrians and cyclists."

The route from the Kennington Road will also be improved with an extra lane on the entry to the roundabout while the circulatory carriageway itself will be widened to four lanes.

Exit and entry to the roundabout from the A20 will be improved by the provision of an extra lane and the slip road on the M20 coast bound will be slightly modified.

"Original proposals for the roundabout improvements were modified following last year's public exhibition at the Centrepiece Church Hall.

That was held to give local residents the opportunity to comment on the initial proposals so that any changes could be considered before the detailed design was finalised.

"As a result of the exhibition several design changes have been made to reflect residents' concerns and minimise adverse environmental effects.

They include restricting the highway layout to the existing boundary, keeping traffic noise to a minimum by using low-noise surfacing and enhanced landscaping once the work is complete.

"Improvements to local air quality will be achieved through reduced congestion, as will the quality of surface water through better treatment systems."