Roadworks which have caused havoc on a housing estate for more than five months have been completed – but safety fears remain.

The £576,000 scheme began in January at Sonora Fields on the B2006, next to Aspire School in Sittingbourne.

It was created to widen all four of the existing approaches to the Staplehurst Road roundabout.

The project is part of the new Amber Fields development next to Quinton Road on The Meads, and is being funded by housing developers Redrow.

A new zebra crossing and bus shelter have also been created, but close to the roundabout – something which has raised safety concerns from residents.

Cllr James Hunt believes more care should have been taken during the project's initial planning stages, with the potential for overtaking seen as another risk to pedestrians given the bus stop and crossing's proximity to one another.

The Tory councillor for The Meads explained: “The new shelter was created by Bobbing Parish Council, but Kent County Council (KCC) have agreed the roadworks, zebra crossing and where the bus stop is going to go.

“Legally, legislation states that buses can stop on the zig zags just passed a zebra crossing which have been painted, so there’s no reason legally for them to not stop on it.

“But I did raise concerns before it was agreed about whether this was the best layout, as there are safety worries when a bus stops there.

“If you get a car overtaking a bus by the zebra crossing with someone else crossing the road then there could be an issue, especially with the roundabout there - but I also think it’s difficult to put a bus stop anywhere on that road.

“So while the permit has now run out, there’s stlil a bit of work to do.

“I’m not sure the two lanes instead of one is something necessarily needed at the moment either heading down to Staplehurst Road, as people have been knocked down near there in the past.

“People cutting through the estate and using Quinton Road has also been one of my main concerns from the start, as there is no need for anyone further to be coming down Sonora Way.

“What should have been done is putting traffic calming measures along that road, with traffic being more heavy around Sheppey Way and onto the A249.

“You also have the issue of two lanes merging into one, including down to Staplehurst Road where people have been knocked down near there in the past.

“I just hope that KCC and the bus companies can make those changes to improve safety, as I just think they are trying to put too much into a small area.”

Temporary traffic lights have been in place throughout the roadworks, including two periods of night-time closures in May and June.

It left one resident, school teacher Susan May from Pearl Walk, asking for compensation and somewhere else to stay after non-stop noise left her family sleep-deprived.

However, Cllr Hunt says the project will soon begin to show its benefits.

He added: “I can see why people are saying all the work hasn’t been needed, but of course it will be in the future.

"The benefits of building the new housing will soon outweigh the negative impacts.”

However, residents remain concerned about the new changes.

Speaking on Facebook, one person said: “Vehicles are still going through the red light and ignoring the zebra crossing – a policeman I spoke to says cameras are required.”

Another added: “I worry about the two lanes merging into one right on top of the pedestrian crossing as you head down in the direction of the Stumble Inn.

“I think this is potentially dangerous as vehicles will speed up to cut in right on top of it.”

Meanwhile, a third resident is also concerned about the changes.

They said: “It’s been an absolute waste of time. Now you have more traffic as the pedestrian crossing stays on for longer with queues right back to Chalkwell.”

KCC was contacted for comment.