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Footage shows progress on A249 Grovehurst Road Improvement Scheme near Sittingbourne

By: Joe Crossley jcrossley@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:00, 18 August 2024

New aerial footage shows progress on a multi-million-pound road improvement scheme.

Work is continuing on the £32.7 million Grovehurst Roundabout revamp, between Iwade and Kemsley near Sittingbourne, with a new bridge set to be installed.

The dumbbell layout of the Grovehurst junction can be seen as work continues this month. Picture: Phil Drew

The video, taken this week, shows the outline of the new dumbbell design layout which includes a one-way gyratory system.

It also shows where the second bridge will go - it will be installed on the Sheppey side of the roundabout and will have three lanes.

This will happen during a weekend closure of both Sheppey and Maidstone-bound lanes from 8pm on Friday, August 30 until 5am on Monday, September 2.

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Traffic will be diverted up and down the entry and exit slip roads while it takes place.

After the bridge beams are in place the Sheppey-bound exit slip and the new Sheppey-bound entry slip will be open under traffic management.

Work began on the Kent County Council-led project in September and is being delivered by Jackson Civil Engineering.

It is being paid for out of the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF).

It is part of a wider scheme in the Sittingbourne area that also includes a revamp of the Key Street roundabout.

KCC says both will improve the capacity and safety of the road network as well as future-proof it from the expected influx of new housing.

However, a dormice nest has prevented work from starting at Key Street.

The dumbbell layout of the Grovehurst junction can be seen as work continues. Picture: Phil Drew

The Grovehurst junction is also behind schedule. It was expected to be completed in the spring of this year.

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KCC’s contractor said the delay was partly caused by constraints on traffic management and utility works.

There were also issues with trapping reptiles which needed to be safely relocated, a KCC statement said.

Meanwhile, there will also be two overnight closures of parts of the A249 at Grovehurst this month.

From 8pm on Tuesday, August 27 until 5am on Wednesday, August 28 the Maidstone-bound main road will shut.

The foundations for the second bridge for the Grovehurst junction. Picture: Phil Drew
Progress on the Grovehurst junction this month. Picture: Phil Drew

A diversion route for drivers will be up and down the Maidstone-bound exit and entry slip roads.

The following night, from 8pm, the Sheppey-bound main road will close until 5am on Thursday, August 29.

Motorists will be diverted up and down the Sheppey-bound exit and entry slip roads.

Traffic management on the A249 is due to be lifted in January 2025 and all other roadworks being complete by May 2025.

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