There is good news and bad news for traffic in the north west of Maidstone.

Kent Highways will be pressing ahead with plans to increase the capacity of the Coldharbour Roundabout on the A20, which connects to Junction 5 of the M20.

It intends to purchase some land from the Royal British Legion Industries in order to double the size of the roundabout, thus increasing traffic flow, with the design completed by July 2019 and work starting in 2020.

Traffic on the A20 coming from the west will be able to use a new slip road to access the M20.

The plans revealed at this month's meeting of the Joint Highways Board indicate that the increased capacity will enable the authority to do away with the traffic lights that currently control traffic flows on the existing roundabout.

That element has angered local Lib Dem councillors who believe that the potential benefits will be totally undone by the proposal to remove the traffic lights.

Cllr Rob Bird said: "This is hugely disappointing and frustrating and threatens to bring gridlock."

Cllr Dan Daley said: "Prior to the installation of these lights, it was impossible to get out of Maidstone during the peak hours. Highways officers need to understand that they are critical.

“We are not going to give up on this. Common-sense must prevail.”

Meanwhile plans to ease congestion at the Maidstone end of the B2246 Hermitage Lane have been put on hold.

Kent Highways had been working on a scheme that would have involved taking part of Barming Heath to enlarge the carriageway, and banning residents from parking in Fountain Lane.

The scheme also proposed the linking of the traffic signals at the junction with the A26 Tonbridge Road and those at B2246 Hermitage Lane by fibre connection, allowing them to work together.

However, KCC believes that the scheme would not generate sufficient capacity benefits to demonstrate "good value for money" - a necessary condition for it to submit a business case for Government funding.

Cllr Bird said: “This has come as a massive shock. It’s no wonder that so many local residents and motorists feel totally let down.

“The congestion here is already intolerable and is bound to get a lot worse without effective junction improvements."

More traffic news: Parts of the M20 are to shut this weekend.