National Highways

09/20/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2023 09:50

Next phase of work to improve journey times on the M2 to begin

National Highways £92m M2 J5 improvements will transform this important junction, which is one of the busiest in the region and experienced large queues and heavy congestion daily. Once complete, the flyover will allow traffic to flow without restrictions over the Stockbury roundabout, reducing delays and improving safety.

The latest work will involve a full weekend closure of the A249 northbound (towards Sheppey) between M20 junction 7 and Stockbury roundabout from 9pm Friday 22 September to 5am Monday 25 September.

This will allow National Highways to move traffic onto the new northbound slip road and open the dedicated slip to the M2 coastbound.

During the closure a diversion will be in place via the M20, A229 and M2. For non-motorway traffic, please use A249, A229, A2, A249.

Upcoming lane closures

Starting next week, National Highways also will be implementing lane closures on the A249 as it continues to progress with the upgrade. From Friday 29 September until early February 2024 the A249 southbound will be reduced to a single lane between the Stockbury roundabout and Rumstead Lane.

Dan Rollinson, project lead for the M2 Junction 5 scheme, said: "We know there's never a good time to complete this kind of work on a busy road like this and understand this lane closure may cause disruption to journeys, for which we apologise. Taking a lane out of operation for a solid block of time, as opposed to just closing it at night or fully closing the road, means we can complete this essential part of the scheme as safely and efficiently as possible, with the least disruption."

There will also be regularly overnight (8pm to 5am) lane closures on the A249 northbound between Rumstead Lane and Honeycrock Hill during the same period as National Highways works on the central reservation.

To find out more about our work to improve junction 5 on the M2, visit our webpage: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m2-junction-5-improvements/

Live traffic information can be found on the National Highways website (www.nationalhighways.co.uk/traffic), local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps, or by calling the customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000. Local Twitter services are also available at @HighwaysSEAST. 

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England's motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England'smotorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)