Date set for work to start widening busy Kent road

Work begins on the A228 at the junction with Kent Street on 31 March

The date for work to commence widening a busy Kent road has been announced.

Construction will start on 31 March on the A228 in Mereworth at the junction with Kent Street at a cost of £1.3m.

Traffic lights are to be installed 100m (328ft) from each side of the junction where a teenage girl was injured nearly four years ago in an effort to counter speeding and improve safety.

Putting in bus stops on each side of the road is also planned as part of the project.

The scheme was given the green light by Councillor Neil Baker, Kent County Council cabinet member for highways.

The announcement comes after years of campaigning by residents and local councillors, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Sarah Hudson, a Conservative county councillor said: "It's been a long haul to get to this point but I am pleased it has.

"The A228 is an important highway because it serves so much traffic using the M20.

"We can make it safer for the local people and the motorists themselves by introducing the measures we have."

The first stage of the scheme has already taken place by cutting back the hedgerows.

The next phase starts on 31 March and lasts until 22 June.