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M2 to shut between Sittingbourne and Gillingham for two weekends followed by closure of A249 slip road

Drivers using the M2 are set to face significant disruption this month, with closures of both the motorway and one of its junctions.

Sittingbourne is set to be cut off from the London-bound carriageway for three weeks as the slip-road shuts for work on the multi-million-pound Stockbury flyover.

The London-bound slip road, right, will be shut. Picture: Phil Drew
The London-bound slip road, right, will be shut. Picture: Phil Drew

Meanwhile, motorway closures are planned across two weekends, as well as overnight works.

From 8pm on Friday (September 8), repairs to Mount Lane bridge will see the M2 shut coastbound between junction 4 for Gillingham and junction 5 for Sittingbourne.

The closure will remain in place until Monday (September 11). Starting that evening, it will also be shut overnight from 8pm to 6am for four days, until Thursday (September 14).

The following weekend - from 8pm on Friday, September 15 to 6am on Monday, September 18 - the London-bound carriageway will be shut between the same junctions.

Another four days of overnight works (8pm to 6am) will then begin on that section, finishing on Thursday, September 21.

A number of road closures are planned. Picture: Stock image
A number of road closures are planned. Picture: Stock image

There will also be a lane closed on the opposite carriageway during the closures above. All dates are inclusive.

A signed diversion route will be in place for the coastbound closures from M2 junction 3 via the A229, M20 and A249 to M2 junction 5, and in reverse for London-bound traffic.

A spokesman for National Highways said: “We will replace the bridge’s expansion joints, resurface, and waterproof the bridge deck.

“The work is essential in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of this crucial structure.”

There will be a double-whammy of closures come next Friday (September 15) when the London-bound slip road of the M2 at junction 5 for Sittingbourne is shut for three weeks.

Travelling from Sittingbourne to Gillingham will take much longer as long for motorists during the closure
Travelling from Sittingbourne to Gillingham will take much longer as long for motorists during the closure

It is part of the £92 million Stockbury flyover project, which is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

A National Highways spokesman added: “We’re going to take the opportunity to complete this work while there are closures between junctions 5 and 4 on the M2, for bridge work – minimising further disruption at a later date.

“The slip road will fully close at 8pm on Friday, September 15 for the bridge repairs.

“It will then remain closed until 5am on Monday, October 2.

“When the slip reopens, the new A249 Maidstone-bound to M2 London-bound dedicated slip will be open.

Work is ongoing across the M2 junction 5 improvement scheme. Picture: National Highways
Work is ongoing across the M2 junction 5 improvement scheme. Picture: National Highways

“A diversion will be in place via the A249, M20, A229 and M2.”

The route is 10 miles, but brings motorists onto the motorway at junction 3, for Chatham.

It means drivers wishing to travel from Sittingbourne to the earlier Gillingham exit, usually 3.5 miles, will face a 14.5-mile trip.

A number of other closures on the A249 are also due to take place this month.

Full overnight closures of the road Sheppey-bound between M20 junction 7 at Detling and the Stockbury roundabout will take place from 9pm to 5am on September 22 until September 25.

Visualisation of the M2 junction 5 Stockbury interchange once improvements are complete. Picture: National Highways
Visualisation of the M2 junction 5 Stockbury interchange once improvements are complete. Picture: National Highways

This will allow National Highways to open the dedicated slip road onto the M2 coastbound.

During the closure, a diversion will be in place via the M20, A229 and M2.

There will also be one lane closed between Stockbury roundabout and Rumstead Lane on the A249 Maidstone-bound carriageway from 5am on September 29 until early February.

The remaining lane will remain open as usual while the existing carriageway is dug up.

The Church Hill and South Green crossovers will also be closed.

A number of closures across the M2 will be happening this month. Picture: Stock image
A number of closures across the M2 will be happening this month. Picture: Stock image

Motorists will still be able to access Church Hill via the A249 Sheppey-bound, and South Green via the A249 Maidstone-bound.

And from September 29 until early February there will be regular overnight lane closures on the A249 Sheppey-bound between Rumstead Lane and Honeycrock Hill, weeknights from 8pm to 5am, as teams work on the central reservation.

National Highways will be holding a Q&A session at the Oad Street Food and Crafts café on Wednesday, September 13 between 10am and 12 noon, and again from 5pm to 7pm.

Anyone with questions about the flyover work can also email m2j5@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.

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