The next stage in the multi-million-pound revamp of a busy roundabout has been delayed once again.

Upgrades to the Key Street junction in Sittingbourne were set to begin on Monday (January 13).

It is used by more than 7,300 vehicles every day heading in and out of the town towards Sheppey, Maidstone and Medway.

The £5.8m scheme includes closing the existing A249 Maidstone-bound entry slip lane.

Once completed, motorists will drive down the adjacent Chestnut Street where there will be a new roundabout just before the Tudor Rose pub and a link road to connect to the A249.

The Chestnut Street arm of the Key Street roundabout will be expanded to include an additional lane.

There will also be off-road parallel parking spaces and a new toucan crossing.

Kent County Council (KCC) is overseeing the work and says this major change will increase its capacity, improve safety and ease congestion.

Construction was meant to start last summer but had to be pushed back due to a dormouse nest being discovered.

The species is protected and as a result, it is an offence to disturb or damage any place used for shelter or protection.

A dormouse mitigation licence is needed ahead of work starting if the furry creatures are found.

In November, the council announced the revised start date for the scheme.

It was supposed to begin on Monday (January 13), however, it has been delayed once more.

A spokeswoman for KCC said: “Due to the ongoing works at Grovehurst Road, we have had to delay the start of the Key Street improvements until the road space is available and a permit can be issued.

“In the meantime, our contractor, Jacksons, has started to set up the site and is currently undertaking inspections and surveys that will map out the existing utilities in the area.

“We expect to have the road space booking agreed and the works to start on Monday, January 27.

“We want to thank residents for being patient with us as we prepare the site.”

Further roadworks are taking place across major routes in the area as part of the £32.7m upgrade to the Grovehurst roundabout near Iwade and Kemsley.

The A249 Sheppey-bound exit slip road is currently shut until Saturday (January 18).

A diversion is in place via Ridham junction and back onto the Maidstone-bound A249 mainline.

Traffic going to Iwade will have to use Sheppey Way, while traffic going to Kemsley will be directed onto the A249 Maidstone-bound exit slip road.