RUSH-HOUR gridlock set in this week as work finally started on redesigning the ring road in Ashford.

But tempers were already fraying as the 26-week first stage of the roadworks got under way.

Motorists sat in long queues as all routes into the town snarled up, after lanes were coned off.

The Kentish Express has been bombarded with infuriated callers and letter writers, fearing several troubled months ahead.

But on Wednesday engineers were called in to adjust junction lights and highways officials were confident that delays would be reduced.

County council spokesman Phil Scrivener said the traffic lights at the Mace Lane/Somerset Road/Station Road junction, where the ring road has been reduced to a single lane, had been altered to relieve the hold-ups.

He said: “The contractors have staff checking traffic flows every 15 minutes.

“The lights were set to give way for 50 per cent of traffic to flow into Hythe Road and the other half on the ring road, but that has now been altered to allow 75 per cent flow to Station Road.

“With work at both this junction and near the station this is down to teething troubles and we apologise.

“There were delays of up to 45 minutes but now they have been reduced an acceptable level of a maximum of 10-minute queues.”

County council regeneration manager Richard Stubbings said: “Changing the ring road is important to Ashford to make the town more accessible and attractive, and an exciting prospect to new business and communities.

“Some disruption will unfortunately be necessary while works take place but this will be kept to a minimum.”

Despite the problems, Ashford town centre partnership co-ordinator Viv Kenny reported there had been no notable change in business during the first couple of days of the works, that car parks were still filling, and people were still coming into the town.

She added: “It is important to maintain the fact Ashford is still open to business, and the improvements when completed will benefit the town.

“While the ring-road changes are causing some congestion, mostly at peak times, those of us using the ring road might have to add five or 10 minutes to our journey time while these improvements are taking place.”