There’s good news on the horizon for the thousands who drive daily through the Stockbury roundabout.

It has been announced that up to £100 million could be spent on improving the congestion-hit junction which joins the A249 to the M2.

It was revealed last week that a survey is to be carried out imminently by the Highways Agency to see what can be done to boost the capacity.

Work is unlikely to begin until 2020 though.

The government said in December that the roundabout was one of several key Kent roads and junctions in line for £1.4 billion.

Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles, who will make a formal statement about the matter tonight, said: “We have been intensively lobbying to persuade government that Junction 5 on the M2 is a major constraint on regeneration and development within the borough and that structural improvements need to be made to it.

“It is encouraging that the Highways Agency has already held meetings with Swale and Kent County Council (KCC) officers.

“Such a speedy action is unusual and welcome.

“A major project such as this will take time to come to fruition, but I am very pleased that it is now firmly on government’s agenda as a priority project.”

MP Gordon Henderson added: “I thought that inevitably there would be a delay before the Department of Transport got the ball rolling.

“So I was delighted that when I met with officials a couple of weeks ago and they told me they had already arranged to hold discussions with both councils to get the local take on what improvements are needed to solve the problems that have beset the roundabout for so long.

“Those meetings have now taken place and are the first steps in determining the specification for any modifications that might be needed to the approach roads to the roundabout.

Two options have been discussed in the past to alleviate the problems.

They include a flyover, similar to the Bridgewood roundabout connecting Walderslade Woods, Maidstone Road, Bluebell Hill and access to the M2; as well as widening the A249.

Cllr Bowles said: “One of the many discussions that have floated around is the possibility of a flyover so Sittingbourne/Sheppey and Maidstone traffic doesn’t have to use the roundabout.

“Another suggestion is an extra lane [on the A249]. It’s probably cheaper but a less permanent solution. I’m excited about it.”

Mr Henderson echoed his views, saying: “There are a number of options that could be considered.

“Changing the slip road off the London-bound M2 to make it similar to the slip road on the coast-bound M2 – filter straight onto A249 (Maidstone bound) without stopping at traffic lights.

“Stopping traffic from the old A249 coming onto the roundabout from Danaway.

“Building a flyover at the roundabout to accommodate the Maidstone/Sittingbourne-bound traffic or an underpass, or any combination of the above.”

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.