There have been further calls for a roundabout in Lower Road after traffic light failure eased, rather than added to, congestion.

Signals at the junction of Barton Hill Drive were temporarily out of action following a crash.

A telecommunications box was destroyed in the two-vehicle accident on September 14.

It meant the lights remained inoperative until Friday, much to the delight of Island taxi driver Neil McLennan , who said drivers had enjoyed a jam-free three days before normal service resumed.

He said: “It was lovely. Everyone treated the Barton Hill Drive, Lower Road junction as a T-junction.

“It meant everything flowed freely. I think the longer traffic lights are off in Lower Road, the better it’ll be for drivers.”

Lower Road has been increasingly plagued by congestion, which has been enhanced by the burgeoning Thistle Hill Estate.

During evening rush hour, Eastchurch and Leysdown-bound traffic tails back as far as Cowstead Corner roundabout and sometimes beyond.

Motorists will argue the problem persists all day and at weekends.The knock-on effect has seen mile-long jams form from Queenborough Corner to Halfway traffic lights.

In September 2014, Swale Joint Transportation Board voted to formally support the idea of a full-sized roundabout at the Barton Hill Drive junction to alleviate congestion in Lower Road.

MP Gordon Henderson said Kent Highways was currently drawing up a design to replace the lights. Mr McLennan said a roundabout was a short-term solution.

“In the long-run, we need to sort the whole road out,” he said. “I think a second lane giving people the option to turn left into Barton Hill might be an answer.”