Extended timeline announced to the A249 Grovehurst Road Improvement Scheme

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Travel and transport
An aerial shot of a road showing a big roundabout.

Additional time will be required to complete the installation of a new second bridge over the A249 and realignment of the junction at Grovehurst Road in Sittingbourne.

Kent County Council (KCC) has had to update its plans due to the complexity of the construction at the Swale Way Grovehurst Road junction, as well as challenges involved in ensuring utility companies co-ordinate the work they need to do to move utility lines (water, gas, and electricity) to make way for the scheme. Traffic management planning is in place to reduce traffic congestion as much as possible during the works.

Based on the change to the completion date, the current timeline of the works will be:

  • June: the gyratory will be opened to drivers
  • July: works to the Grovehurst Road on the Iwade side of A249 will be completed
  • August: works to the Kemsley side of the A249 will be completed
  • September: works to the existing bridge will be completed and the new bridge opened
  • Traffic management will remain on the southbound exit slip due to the ongoing BT works.
Simon Jones

“Building the new bridge and making changes to the surrounding road network and utilities is a complex project.”

Simon Jones Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport

Simon Jones, Kent County Council’s Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport, said: “Building the new bridge and making changes to the surrounding road network and utilities is a complex project. The local community has been very patient while the works have been progressing and we hope they will value the benefits of smoother and more reliable journeys this project will bring."

For information on the scheme visit: A249 Grovehurst Road and interchange junction - Kent County Council

Notes to editors

The work on the A249 Grovehurst Road Improvement Scheme began in September 2023 and is expected to be completed by September 2025.

The A249 Grovehurst Road Improvement Scheme will unlock new homes planned along 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.