Neil Baker, Kent County Council’s (KCC) Highways and Transport Cabinet Member, was joined by local member, Andrew Kennedy, officers from KCC and Breheny Civil Engineering to open the newly improved roundabout in Aylesford.
The project, which has received £5m of funding through the government’s Local Growth Fund and developer contributions, has seen the roundabout enlarged with additional lanes around it and on the approaches. Other changes include the removal of existing traffic lights replaced with give way control, leading to smoother journeys.
Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker (right) and local member, Andrew Kennedy, stand near the roundabout with an Unknown Tommy Statue in the distance.
Construction started in February 2024, with KCC appointing Breheny Civil Engineering as the principal contractor to complete the works.
Near the roundabout is the Poppy Factory – one of two warehouses that make millions of poppies each year for Remembrance Day. When driving up to the roundabout, Unknown Tommy Statues can be seen alongside the new trees that have been planted. Officers worked with the local Royal British Legion Institute to source these statues which represent British soldiers who fought in the First World War.
“This is a significant project which people are already telling me they are seeing a real positive impact from.”
Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker said: “It is great news that the upgrades to the Coldharbour Roundabout are now complete – and earlier than expected. This is a significant project which people are already telling me they are seeing a real positive impact from.
‘This project is another example of infrastructure for the future, which is the approach we need to take to ensure improvements that benefit residents not just today, but long into the future.”
A spokesperson for Breheny Civil Engineering said: “It has been a pleasure working with KCC to successfully deliver the Coldharbour Roundabout Scheme. The works have presented various challenges, most notably working in close proximity to live traffic. We have been required to phase the works to avoid peak periods of traffic which has included prolonged periods of night work to minimise disruption.”
