TRANSPORT Minister, David Jamieson visited Sheppey to mark the start of excavation works for the Second Swale Crossing.

Using a digger Mr Jamieson broke the ground for the foundations of the first pier of the new £100m bridge.

More than 100 invited guests joined Mr Jamieson at the Borough Hall in Queenborough at the start of the ceremony where he spoke about how the bridge will benefit the community.

He said: "The commencement of the construction of the bridge is a major milestone for the people of Sheppey and the travelling public needing to do business on the Island.

"The road will benefit the people of North Kent enormously and improve the quality of life for people on this Island.

"It will attract inward investment and improve facilities such as transport and leisure."

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, Derek Wyatt asked again about the possibility of putting up a viewing platform so people could stop and see the work going on.

He said: "It's a promise made and a promise delivered: a £100 million commitment to our community, for our community.

"It is a very special day and I am immensely proud to be the MP and prouder still today to see this work begin."

When asked about the queues and traffic problems caused by the works so far, Mr Jamieson said: "Obviously it is a major inconvenience but we must be patient as it will benefit everyone in the long run.”