A multi-million-pound improvement scheme to transform a busy junction has been completed.

Work on the A20 Coldharbour Roundabout near Maidstone and Aylesford will help to reduce congestion, Kent County Council has said.

The project cost £5million and saw several overnight closures and diversions during the nine months it took to be upgraded.

It has been enlarged and has additional lanes around it on the approaches.

Other changes include the removal of traffic lights which have been replaced with give-way junctions – something the county council predicts will result in “smoother journeys”.

KCC received funding from the government’s Local Growth Fund as well as contributions from housing developers.

Construction started in February, with KCC appointing Breheny Civil Engineering as the principal contractor.

Near the roundabout is the Poppy Factory – one of two warehouses that make millions of poppies each year for Remembrance Day.

When driving up to the roundabout, Unknown Tommy silhouette statues can be seen alongside new trees that have been planted.

KCC officers worked with the Royal British Legion Institute to source the statues which represent British soldiers who fought in the First World War.

The presence of the saplings will be of comfort to some people who were devastated to see the removal of mature trees when the work started.

Cllr Neil Baker (Con), KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It is great news that the upgrades to the Coldharbour Roundabout are now complete – and earlier than expected.

“This is a significant project which people are already telling me they are seeing a real positive impact from.

“This project is another example of infrastructure for the future, which is the approach we need to take to ensure improvements that benefit residents not just today, but long into the future.”

A Breheny Civil Engineering spokesman said: “It has been a pleasure working with KCC to successfully deliver the Coldharbour Roundabout Scheme.

“The works have presented various challenges, most notably working in close proximity to live traffic.

“We have been required to phase the works to avoid peak periods of traffic which has included prolonged periods of night work to minimise disruption.”