It has left motorists and pedestrians fuming but road chiefs say they have come up with a novel solution to ease congestion around Ashford's notorious two-way ring road.

The £13million scheme was supposed to bring an end to the "concrete collar" around the town but has been bedevilled by problems since it came into effect last July.

Now county road chiefs have announced plans they say could improve the situation for the thousands of drivers who use the new ring road.

The plan will see motorists driving on the right rather than the left, bringing the ring road into line with most other European countries.

Sources say the idea will not only benefit local motorists but the increasing number of visitors from abroad who come to Kent.

A spokesman said: "We see this as in line with our radical approach to adopting innovative cutting-edge solutions to challenging traffic environments involving high-spec technical configurations.

"We are confident that motorists will support the switch although we appreciate there may be some reservations."

While drivers will drive on the left round the ring road, surrounding access roads will continue to be on the right. In order for this to happen, council bosses have placed an order for 35,000 additional traffic cones.