Work has begun on one of the most controversial traffic changes in Medway's history.

It is the first stage in the process to demolish the 1980s Sir John Hawkins flyover and open up the waterfront.

Once the road has been built - in about three months time - buses and taxis will be able to use it to get into Military Road.

The flyover will then be demolished. All other traffic will be diverted around the former one-way system while workmen cut it in two, then bring it down either side of Chatham High Street.

The flyover has been the subject of numerous consultations, public exhibitions, and political uproar that threatened the Conservative administration at the 2007 council elections.

All but two of the 131 businesses in the vicinity opposed the plan - first proposed in 1998 - to close the waterfront to all traffic.

A new £6 million bus station will be built on The Paddock - the last piece of central Chatham which has never been developed.

A new road will be rebuilt across the High Street on the line of the flyover to give buses and taxis permanent access to the front of the Pentagon Shopping Centre.

Councillors expect almost three years of disruption around Chatham as they prepare the area for redevelopment and reconstruction.

It includes the widening of The Brook, with up to six lanes in places, with new crossings and bus lanes to improve public transport.

New shops and homes are expected to be built as the recession ends.

Tesco has already confirmed it plans to rebuild its shop, while the Pentagon has plans to build a new store on the site of the current first-floor bus station.

• What do you think of Medway's regeneration? Send us your views and pictures of Medway under change by email to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk