Villagers are worried drivers on the A2 will be unable to find Southfleet

People living in Southfleet, Kent, have been told the name of their village will be removed from a sign on the A2 and replaced with Ebbsfleet.

The Highways Agency said it can only list three destinations on overhead signs and have decided to point out the yet to be built village of Ebbsfleet.

The coastbound carriageway sign will also list Northfleet and Swanscombe.

Local residents are angry that a place which does not yet exist is considered more of a priority than their own.

They are also concerned the move will affect local businesses, many of which are farms which depend on people visiting from outside the area.

Mark Harris of the Broadditch Farm Shop said: "We get a lot of lorries who can't find where they are going without signposts.

"It's going to cause a hell of a lot of confusion and affect the local people badly."

'Act of arrogance'

Matthew Gedney, director of local farm D&M Gedney Ltd, is upset the issue was not discussed with local residents.

"I think it's quite disappointing there was no consultation prior to this announcement."

Jeremy Kite, deputy leader of Dartford Borough Council, is also angry about the lack of consultation and plans to oppose the decision.

Describing it as an "act of arrogance", he says planners do not consider the impact such changes have on local residents.

"They think their projects are much more important than local communities, and I'm here to tell them they are wrong.

"Road signs point to communities and communities provide homes and activities for people, and the minute you start eradicating one part of that, you've created the sense these communities are no longer important," he said.