Scenes like this that have driven businesses and villagers to the point of despair are due to finish today.

Junction improvements at New Hythe Lane/London Road, Larkfield, have been underway for five weeks.

Among those affected has been Jimmy Costa from nearby A&D Fisheries, who said rat-running along narrow Bell Lane – as a result of the roadworks – meant his customers found it impossible to park anywhere.

The junction improvements have been carried prior to the installation of a bus priority system.

A Kent Highways spokeswoman said temporary traffic signals had been controlled manually during peak times to reduce congestion as much as possible, with the works scheduled to coincide with the summer school holidays when traffic flow was at its lowest.