An infamous bell bollard has been removed after a decade of accidents and near-misses.

Highways workers have taken away the controversial traffic-calming measure and will replace it with two steel bollards on the A2 London Road at the junction with Gun Lane in Strood.

Butcher Gary Hunt has been battling to get what is locally known as the "metal bell" shifted for years and welcomed the news it would be gone last week.

The 60-year-old dad first launched his one-man campaign after his son was involved in a collision.

He believed the problem was it was painted white and "camouflaged" against the wall of Papa John's takeaway behind it, so drivers could not see it.

The Northcote Road resident said: "This is fantastic news. There are some people who have been saying it is just a bollard. But you would not be saying that, if it were your daughter or partner involved in a crash."

Council contractor Volker Highways will replace the concrete bell-type bollard with two steel bollards while raising the kerb to make it more visible to motorists.

Road markings will also 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 started today and will be lasting for about four days between 9.30am and 3pm.