Business owners fear a key route will become a gridlocked nightmare when construction of the Chart Road dual carriageway begins.

Contractors are preparing to start work on the long-awaited multi-million pound project within a matter of weeks, which will turn the main road between the Tank roundabout and Matalan in Ashford into a dual carriageway.

But anxious traders think the building work will cause serious delays for drivers, who already have to face hold-ups on the congested stretch of the A28 every day.

Costas Constanti, owner of the New Chimneys pub and restaurant in Loudon Way on Godinton Park, said: “I am not sure how they are going to do it yet, if they will shut the whole road or parts of it, but it will be gridlock.

“I would have thought we should have heard from Kent County Council (KCC) by now telling us how it will be done, but I have not heard anything. It could be a nightmare, but I am hoping they will let us know how they will do it.

“When it is done, it should allow traffic to flow a lot easier which will be better.”

Jackson Civil Engineering has been awarded the £32 million contract to widen the road and clearance works are due to start next month.

Bosses at KCC expect full construction to then begin in March, and say information about the works will be advertised in letters to residents, on social media, and at public exhibitions.

The scheme is being funded from contributions by housing developers so the town can cope with more cars travelling from the 5,750-home Chilmington Green housing development.

The Tank and Matalan roundabouts will both be improved and the railway bridge by the former Chart Leacon rail depot will also be widened.

It was previously feared the project would be delayed by a public inquiry after some residents raised concerns but KCC has now completed the purchase of the land needed.

Cllr Bernard Heyes (Con), who represents the Godinton ward, says traffic flow will be monitored “very carefully” during construction.

He said: “It is the biggest road improvement in my ward since I became a councillor in 2003.

“At the moment it is a pinch-point and it will only get worse if nothing is done.

“It is absolutely essential and it should be completed within about a year, opening in spring 2019.”

Cllr Peter Feacey (Con), who also represents the Godinton ward and lives in Viburnum Close, said: “It would be naive to say there will not be any disruption during construction because it is one of the major routes into town and will be busy.

“But I am sure they will minimise disruption as much as they can. It is a necessary project as we need to get traffic moving in Ashford.”