Motorists are fearing more traffic chaos next summer when work starts on major improvements set to last 18 months.

The road improvements to the area around the A249 at its junction with Bearsted Road in Maidstone are part of a scheme to upgrade the road network to accommodate the extra traffic from new development on Eclipse Park and at the Maidstone Medical Campus.

The Bearsted and Thurnham Society is concerned that the work will be carried out simultaneously with work converting the M20 to a "smart motorway," which is already causing hold-ups.

Additionally Highways England improvements scheduled for M2 Junction 5 under the Road Investment Strategy are thought likely to lead to further congestion at the M20 Junction 7 and A249 Bearsted Road.

KCC however says that any road closures will be done at night, and that there should be no need for diversions.

The proposal is to signalise the A249 Bearsted Road roundabout and enlarge and signalise the New Cut Road roundabout, while widening the carriageway between the two.

"Smart technology" will be installed to help ease future congestion.

The detailed design is being finalised now. The work will go out to tender in February with the contract awarded in May, with work to begin in August next year.

It is understood trees and vegetation will need to be removed to accommodate the junction enlargement and widening, but KCC said: "Every effort will be made to re-plant where possible to ensure the scheme is sympathetic to its surroundings."

The current access to Notcutts will be pedestrianised, with a pedestrian/cycle route added along the north side of Bearsted Road, and a Pelican or Puffin Crossing from New Cut Road to cross Bearsted Road.

The main access to that area will be then be via the existing road towards KIMS with a new left turn into Notcutts, before the existing right turn into the Cygnet hospital.

The scheme is budgeted for £11.4m of which KCC has obtained £9.3m from the Government's National Productivity Investment Fund, £1.5m from local developers and £0.5m from Maidstone council.

KCC is also hoping to get a £4.7m grant from Highways England to signalise J7 of the M20. If the bid is successful, this work will be added to the overall programme.

The project manager will be Russell Boorman who was also in charge of the the town's Bridge Gyratory improvement scheme completed two years ago this December.

Click here for more information about the scheme.