KENT Reliance Building Society may turn its back on Wales and stay in Medway after all - but only as long as the council keeps the traffic moving.

The society had threatened to quit Kent after a century in the county and move its head office from Sun Pier, Chatham, to Wales with the loss of 50 jobs.

Bosses were so incensed by the chaos triggered by the new two-way traffic system, the closure of Medway Street and the Sir John Hawkins Flyover, that they started serious talks with the Welsh Assembly about a possible relocation.

Mike Lazenby, chief executive, led a business revolt against the traffic system and voiced his anger to Medway council, claiming it would force firms and jobs out of the area.

But since Medway Street was made two-way and the flyover reopened, Mr Lazenby has had a change of heart.

While he says office accommodation and staff would have been a lot cheaper in Wales, it would have cost more than a million pounds to switch its technology.

"Unless they made us a really good offer that would offset all the costs of relocation, we couldn’t do it," he said.

He was now happier in Medway. "The traffic system has improved significantly since the local authority had a reality check and we are very happy with the way things are at the moment," he said.