Work on the Northern Relief Road project was formally marked with the unveiling of a sign.

The Kent Highway Services project will see 0.9 miles of road built by Jackson Civil Engineering to link Swale Way at Ridham Avenue with Swale Way at Castle Road.

This section of the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road will cross both Milton Creek and the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway.

The overall cost of the scheme is £35.5million.

Nick Chard, Kent County Council cabinet member for environment, highways and waste was at the ceremony.

He said: “I am pleased to be here to see work on the site and mark the formal start of this very important scheme.

“This is a vital link to help regenerate Sittingbourne and drive traffic away from the town centre, for which we very much welcome government funding.”