The start of a dreaded roadworks scheme which could last for 18 months has been pushed back due to "unforeseen delays".

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson is to rip up the ‘McDonald’s roundabout’ on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road in Ashford and replace it with traffic lights.

Construction was due to begin on Monday, August 2 but contractors are yet to move in as bosses say they have "encountered unforeseen delays obtaining the authorisation to commence works from Highways England".

Work is now set to get going on Monday, signalling the start of a project that has been in the pipeline for almost 20 years.

The Bellamy Gurner scheme is expected to take about 13 months to complete, but Highways England says that due to the junction’s location, contractors may need to be on site for more than 18 months if delays occur.

The plan to convert the roundabout into a traffic light system surfaced in about 2002, ahead of the Crest Nicholson-built Finberry housing development application being submitted.

Seen as a way of improving traffic flow in the area – as well as upgrading the access point to the Finberry estate – it was initially thought the work would begin after the development reached a certain level of occupancy.

But just as that level was reached, Highways England decided to begin work on the M20 Junction 10a project.

KentOnline asked Crest Nicholson for more detail on the "unforeseen delays", but did not receive a response.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford