Works to prepare the Maidstone gyratory system for development have finished ahead of schedule.

KCC Highways engineers have been inspecting the carriageway and clearing vegetation since Monday.

Lane closures have been in place since then but today the authority tweeted to say the work had taken less time than expected.

As a result there will be no closures tomorrow (Friday).

The construction project will see two new northbound lanes built on the eastern side of the River Medway, with new junctions controlled by traffic lights.

It will enable drivers to avoid the existing bridge gyratory system when travelling from Maidstone towards Blue Bell Hill.

The preparation works were taking place between 9.30am and 3.30pm

The main bridge works are expected to run between May and September, although the construction period could last until March next year.

If that is the case there will be a break between mid-November and mid-January to avoid disruption over the Christmas period.