A widespread congestion-busting road improvement programme worth hundreds of millions of pounds has tackled two problem areas in Maidstone.

Two traffic calming schemes on parts of the M20 have been completed.

A total of £250,000 was invested in the schemes last April as part of the government’s £317million investment intended to cut congestion, increase safety and improve journey times across the country.

The Highways Agency have updated signs between M20 junctions six for the A229 and seven for Sittingbourne Road.

It is hoped this will support several development sites, with 10,400 jobs and 8,400 homes to be created in the area by 2020.

In a second project CCTV has been installed between junction eight for Hollingbourne and junction 11.

The cameras will be monitored and will provide up-to-date traffic information displayed on signs along the motorway.

The improvement plans – part of the biggest programme of road enhancements since the 1970s – will contribute an estimated £1.4 billion to the economy by 2015.

Roads minister John Hayes said: “We are investing record amounts in motorways and major roads – and every one of these pinch point schemes will deliver benefits to thousands of drivers. Some of the benefits are immediate – such as improved road markings to help traffic flow better through a junction; in other cases the roads are being improved now so they can accommodate local development in the future.

“The completed schemes will together help support the creation of more than 300,000 new jobs and 144,000 new homes nationally – so it’s good news for all road users, for local communities and the economy.”