After more than a decade of accidents, near-misses and minor injuries, it's the end of the road for the notorious bell bollard.

Highways workers are removing the controversial traffic-calming measure and replacing it with two steel bollards on the A2 London Road at the junction with Gun Lane in Strood.

And nobody could be more delighted to see its demise than butcher Gary Hunt who's been battling to get what's locally known as the "metal bell" shifted for years.

The 60-year-old dad first launched his one-man campaign after his son was involved in a collision causing major damage to his car and leaving him extremely shaken.

Part-time DJ Gary believes the problem is that it's painted white and is camouflaged against the cream wall of Papa John's takeaway behind it, so approaching drivers don't see it.

The Northcote Road resident said: "I've been trying to get something done about this for four years. It's been like banging my head against a brick wall.

"This is fantastic news. There are some people who have been saying it's just a bollard. But you wouldn't be saying that, if it were your daughter or partner involved in a crash.

"There are others saying that Mr Hunt just wants to get in the newspapers. But I would say to them, thanks to Mr Hunt's efforts lives will be saved."

The council's contractors, Volker Highways, will be replacing the concrete "bell"-type bollard with two steel bollards and raising the kerbs to make the kerb-line more visible.

Road markings will be enhanced to help guide oncoming traffic.

If underground utility services prevent the new measures from being installed, a "bell" type bollard with added vertical post will be placed further back on the pavement.

Work is due to start on Tuesday between 9.30am and 3pm and lasting for about four days .

It was installed to stop vehicles mounting the pavement and potentially injuring pedestrians on the Gun Lane junction.

Gary said: "Steel bollards are brilliant but, and it's a big but, it must be visible. Perhaps it could be wrapped with reflective tape like you get on police cars so people can see it at day and night."

In desperation, at one point Gary had even considered buying an aerosol and spaying it a fluorescent orange colour.

But he thought better of it when his family warned him he could be arrested for criminal damage.

He said: "This has made my day, I have seen at least 10 accidents and near misses since moving here six years ago.

"There have been times when I have thought nobody's listening to me. But I am a Taurean and I get things done."

Gary added he will be keeping a watchful eye on the road safety scheme.

In October last year, a Fiat 500 clipped the bollard and overturned, and in July 2020 the road was shut for three hours after a car crashed into it.

In March, a lorry collided into it, just after reflective red stickers were put on it.

At the time Gary described the red shiny patches placed on the rear of the bollard as "about as useful as a chocolate teapot".

Medway Council’s interim Head of Highways and Traffic, Alex Constantinides, said: “The bollard is in place for the safety of pedestrians and to protect the corner of London Road, and the businesses that are located there. We are currently considering options for a long-term solution.”

Work will take place from Tuesday to Friday with traffic control measures in place.