Plans to improve busy junction on the M2 in England unveiled today
Proposed major improvements to make journeys safer and more reliable for drivers using junction 5 on the M2 have been unveiled by Highways England today (Wednesday 6 September).
The M2 is a key route which links London with Rochester and Faversham and the Port of Dover. The interchange between the M2 and the A249 at junction 5 is heavily congested with tens of thousands of vehicles using the junction each day. These improvements would mean crucial additional capacity for the junction and its approaches to support development in Kent and the Thames Estuary corridor.
A public consultation on the proposals starts today and runs until 17 October. Highways England is holding five information exhibitions at venues in Sittingbourne, Stockbury, Sheerness and Maidstone so that people can examine the proposals and put any questions directly to the project team.
The roundabout itself would be enlarged, with a new through route for A249 traffic; there would be new dedicated left turn filter lanes for traffic travelling between the M2 and the A249; a new single lane slip road from the M2eastbound to the A249 northbound to avoid the Stockbury roundabout altogether, and measures to improve facilities for people using the junction on foot.
Highways England Senior Project Manager Neil Andrew said: “The Stockbury junction provides a vital interchange between the M2 and A249 and is heavily congested during peak periods each day. This junction is currently one of the top 50 national casualty locations on England’s strategic road network, and we are consulting on the proposals to improve the junction, which will not only improve safety, but also help to boost the economy and support development of homes and jobs in the local area. I urge anyone interested to send us their feedback and to come along to one of our exhibitions.”
Funding for the scheme comes from the Department for Transport’s £15bn Roads Investment Strategy, announced in 2014, which is providing people with better journeys, cutting congestion and improving the economy.
All responses to the consultation will be carefully considered before an announcement is made on a preferred route this winter. Subject to a successful outcome, construction could start as early as 2020 and take around two years to complete.
Details on the proposals and feedback forms will be available online from today until 11:45pm on 17 October 2017 at http://www.roads.highways.gov.uk/m2j5
