A multi-million pound scheme to ease congestion on a route between Dartford and Greenhithe has begun.

But while councillors and contractors were all smiles at an official ground-breaking ceremony on the A206 St Clements Way last week, some residents fear the scheme will cause more problems and have criticised contractors for felling trees.

Highways chiefs say St Clements Way is on an important A226 strategic route between Dartford and Gravesend and provides links to the A2, Dartford Crossing, Bluewater and the Crossways retail parks.

And with more development and traffic expected in the coming years, Kent County Council believe the improvements will increase the capacity of the London Road/St Clements Way roundabout and provide a new northbound bus lane along St Clements Way between London Road and Crossways Boulevard.

They also say St Clements Way provides direct access to Greenhithe Station and forms a key link for the Fastrack bus service and other important bus services in the area.

But Caroline Smith of nearby Maritime Close, Greenhithe, said the Fastrack service was not being used to the extent some hoped - meaning there would be less space for an increasing number of vehicles and more space for an underused bus service.

"It will cause more pandemonium than what we have now," she said. "It's of no benefit to us.

"Also they’ve chopped lots of trees that were protecting views and protecting property from the main road.

"They took away our greenery and it looks like an eyesore. The nail in the coffin yesterday they had their photograph taken."

Fellow resident Kerstin Peters added: "We loved the trees as it made us feel we were living in a little oasis in an ever expanding sea of concrete. I did attempt to obtain a TPO for the trees via DBC but was unsuccessful.

"We were particularly upset to lose the trees on the roundabouts as they were always shown on plans as being retained and were removed without warning. I'm not sure what the local wildlife must be thinking, the foxes, birds and squirrels have no habitat left."

Greenhithe Cllr David Mote said he hoped the trees would be replaced with semi-mature trees, and that the land occupied by the KC site office might be put to good use after the works are completed.

"What we need is a decent medical hub," he said. "The concern is that KCC will finish working on the road, the land will become surplus to requirements and they will sell it off to a developer.

"I’m hopeful KCC recognise what is needed is a medical centre."

The work, which is due to be completed by spring next year, will also see the existing pedestrian crossings upgraded with more efficient traffic lights, while the existing footpath along St Clements Way, between London Road and Mounts Road, will be converted to a shared cycle path.

KCC also intends to provide a noise fence to screen residents affected by the increased traffic along the road and this will be integrated into the design of the replacement landscape planting.

It is expected this first section - widening of the northbound carriageway of St Clements Way between London Road and Crossways Boulevard - will take a few weeks to complete and will require off peak lane closures along the northbound side of St Clements Way and on the approaches to the London Road roundabout.

Contracts Manager for Jackson Civil Engineering Andy Nailor said: “Jackson Civil Engineering is proud to have been awarded this contract from Kent County Council and is looking forward to delivering a successful scheme which will benefit the local community and the wider travelling public.”

KCC deputy cabinet member for highways and transport Michael Payne said: “It’s great to see work get underway on this important project which aims to reduce congestion in an area that is only going to get busier in the years ahead.

“Whilst I appreciate there will be some inconvenience while work is going on, I believe it should make it better for all highway users in the future including buses, pedestrians and cyclists as well as cars.”

The improvement scheme forms part of a wider package of improvements – such as work on the A2 Bean junction – and is aimed at reducing congestion and catering for future growth and development in the area.

The project will cost £6.9million, with a £4.2million Local Growth Fund contribution from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

Anyone with concerns during the works can visit @StClementsWay on Twitter, call Rebecca Edwards, the public liaison officer on 07970 358089 or email at redwards@jackson-civils.co.uk