Works need to begin on the southbound side of the A249, heading towards Stockbury. This includes installing a piling rig, which will be used to lay foundations for the new bridge.
To complete this safely, a temporary lane closure needs to be put in place. Instead of the single-lane restriction being in place on the entire length of the Sheppey Crossing, traffic will begin to merge after the entry slip road from the Kingsferry Bridge thereby reducing the length of roadworks required in this direction.
The alteration in the traffic management has been achieved by working with National Highways to review the reduced length, to ensure there are no compromises in public or construction worker safety. A temporary 50mph speed limit will be in place for the length of the roadworks. The alternative traffic management arrangement will reduce the impact on travel time and traffic movements on the Isle of Sheppey, however it is likely that road users will still experience some delays during the morning peak.
The change will be brought in on 8th January 2024 and removed in the summer, although there may need to be additional traffic management later in the project.
“We understand that major projects like this cause disruption but we are committed to minimising this as much as possible.”
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said: “We understand that major projects like this cause disruption but we are committed to minimising this as much as possible.
“That is why we have listened to feedback from the community and worked with our contractor and National Highways to come up with an alternative way of managing traffic when we are working on site.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and remove and adapt the traffic management when we can.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The A249 Grovehurst Road Improvement Scheme will unlock new homes planned on the A249 corridor from the junction with the M2 to the Isle of Sheppey.
The improvements include altering the slip and approach roads to the junction, service diversions, changing traffic signals, lighting and major earthwork operations.
This will increase capacity on the road network and provide the infrastructure needed for the proposed housing plans in Swale and is being paid for through the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund and developer contributions.
