A two-year programme of road improvements which will transform Chatham’s traffic system and open up key regeneration sites for redevelopment starts next month.

Medway Council says these major highway and junction improvements build on the benefits brought about by the replacement of Chatham’s ring road with a two-way system.

The changes will give Chatham extra traffic capacity and ease congestion for years to come – years that will see massive private and public sector investment in the area.

The improvements have the public support of leading businesses, including Arriva, Tesco and the Pentagon Shopping Centre.

At a news conference on Tuesday, the Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Rodney Chambers and Medway Council Capital Projects Manager Ian Wilson, will brief journalists on the first phase of work, costing £1.6 milllion.

This involves construction of a temporary bus, taxi and cycle route and traffic diversions, followed by demolition of the Sir John Hawkins Way flyover and construction of a permanent bus, taxi and cycle route between Railway Street and Globe Lane.

Cllr Chambers said: “This first phase of work, and the phases that follow, are complex and will take two years to complete. At times there will be considerable disruption. This is unavoidable. But the work is vital to Chatham’s future. Without it, the successful regeneration of Chatham would not be possible.”