by Sarah Shaffi

sshaffi@thekmgroup.co.uk

Work to improve traffic jams on a busy industrial estate will not start until April, almost six months behind schedule.

Left-turn only lanes on the approaches to the Antonys Way and Sans Pareil roundabouts on the Medway City Estate were due to be set up in December but freezing weather conditions made it impossible.

Medway Council now says the earliest it will be able to carry out the work will be April.

The scheme, which will cost some £50,000, will see Berwick Way increased from two to three lanes, letting an extra 300 to 400 cars go through the Sans Pareil roundabout every hour.

The council’s research shows lorries use the left-hand lane to go all the way around the roundabout into Wulfere Way, blocking traffic turning left on to Frindsbury Hill.

The changes will let them use the middle lane to cross the roundabout into Wulfere Way.

Antonys Way, which leads from the estate to the Medway Tunnel, will also have three lanes on the approach to the roundabout.

Director of regeneration, community and culture Robin Cooper said: “We have experienced particularly difficult weather conditions which have meant that the work to the Sans Pareil roundabout on Medway City Estate has not been able to get under way.

Priority

“It does still remain a priority of ours as is ensuring that those working on the estate and living nearby can travel easily and safely around the area with minimum disruption.

“To be able to carry out all the necessary works, which include resurfacing the road, we would have to close the roundabout to motorists for a period of time.

“The most feasible time to do this would be during the next planned overnight tunnel closure in April.”

There are 600 businesses on Medway City Estate, employing up to 6,000 people. During busy periods and bad weather, workers have been left queueing for more than an hour to leave the estate.