The date for the opening of Sheppey's new Lower Road roundabout has been confirmed.

The £1.8 million roundabout at the junction of Barton Hill Drive and the A2500 Lower Road at Minster will open for use on Tuesday, December 18.

Kent County Council's highways department, in charge of the project, said Barton Hill Drive will reopen the same day.

A spokesman said: "The original 12-week road closure for Barton Hill Drive is coming to an end.

"Following a review of the future traffic management requirements, with the KCC streetworks co-ordinator, it has been decided to extend the road closure of Barton Hill Drive until December 18.

"This will enable most of the kerbing and drainage tie-in works along the Lower Road to be completed under alternate two-way lights during the off-peak period.

"The new roundabout will be opened, along with Barton Hill Drive, from December 18 so there is minimal traffic management in place over the Christmas and New Year holidays period."

He warned that UK Power Networks would have to switch off power in Barton Hill Drive to complete work on an electric main in Lower Road so new lamp posts can be connected.

The electricity supplies will be turned off between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday, December 11, affecting properties in both Barton Hill Drive and Lower Road.

The works for this part of the scheme – phase one – are on schedule to be completed by Friday, February 8, he added.

Phase two – a £4.85m project to widen the 1km stretch of road from Barton Hill Drive to Cowstead Corner – is set to begin soon after.

The widening scheme will include a shared footpath and cycle route.

Speaking about the opening, Cllr Cameron Beart, who represents Queenborough and Halfway, praised Breheny Civil Engineering, the contractors carrying out the works.

He said: "It is great news, the work is being carried out to schedule and, for such a major infrastructure project, with relatively minimal disruption.

"Breheny have been really considerate contractors who have kept their work area neat and tidy, have liaised with all three tiers of local councils and councillors throughout the works and have gone above and beyond to keep us and residents informed on what is going on.

"Despite the odd complaints about the off-peak roadworks, comments received have been generally positive and I've been feeding this back to Breheny throughout to give credit where credit is due."