The 1990s ‘Cones Hotline’ may have become a standing joke but the idea has made an unexpected comeback, thanks to the Kentish Express.

The paper and sister radio station, kmfm for Ashford, together launched their own hotline after a series of new roadworks started at the same time in Ashford and the town was invaded by traffic cones.

Ashford has already suffered months of dispruption because of major work to transform its ring road and for many motorists, the new roadworks proved the final straw.

The new cones hotline gave readers a chance to vent their frustrations by leaving a recorded message.

Editor Robert Barman said: “We’ve had no shortage of responses. The highways authorities assure us that all the roadworks are necessary but people are naturally suspicious when there’s such a flurry of activity towards the end of the financial year.

“I was expecting at least one joker ordering an ice cream but the calls are mostly from people voicing genuine concerns, with varying degrees of patience.”