MP Gordon Henderson’s battle for a trial switch-off of the Stockbury roundabout traffic lights continues.

He said a meeting with the Highways Agency ended with representatives promising to look at ways to resolve the problem.

The Sittingbourne and Sheppey representative is hoping to persuade the authority to suspend signals for a 12-week period to see if it eases congestion at the roundabout.

He cites the lack of traffic lights “at the equally dangerous and busy” M20 junction as a reason for doing away with controls at Stockbury.

Mr Henderson said: “In terms of the lights, the agency said they can’t do it from a technical point of view.

“They gave me details and statistics that show when the lights are off, there is no difference.

“I disputed that because I know that for five weeks when those lights were off the traffic flowed much better.

“We agreed to disagree on that but they assured me they are looking at a way of trying to solve the problem.

“They promised to get back to me once they come up with a solution.”

Mr Henderson’s meeting with the Highways Agency followed heated correspondence with transport minister, John Hayes, who said it “wouldn’t be possible to simply turn off the lights” due to fears it could lead to accidents.

He also said a scheme to remove the signals and maintain safety could not be implemented in the near future because of costs.

In his latest correspondence, Mr Hayes suggested a meeting between Mr Henderson and the Highways Agency “may be more productive than seeking to explain what are complex matters in a letter”.

The Conservative MP has been battling to have something done about the Stockbury Roundabout traffic lights for months and says it is key to improving road links between Kent’s ports and the M25.