Motorists will be unable to access the A249 from the M2 London-bound carriageway when the Stockbury roundabout is closed this weekend.

National Highways has confirmed the roundabout will be sealed off for three days for essential works to the new roundabout alignment which is underway as part of the multi-million-pound Stockbury flyover project between Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

The Stockbury roundabout will be closed from 8pm on Friday, November 17, until 5am on Monday, November 20.

A spokesman for the agency said: “During the closure, you will not be able to travel through Stockbury Roundabout, but, to help minimise disruption and keep the traffic flowing as much as possible, we’ll be keeping the following dedicated slips between the A249 and M2 open.”

The A249 Maidstone-bound to the M2 coastbound carriageway, the M2 coastbound to A249 towards Sittingbourne, and the A249 Sheppey-bound to M2 London-bound will be open.

However, there will be no access to the A249 from the M2 London-bound.

Due to the closure, there are several lengthy diversion routes in place.

To travel northbound from Maidstone to Sittingbourne, use the M20, A229, M2 coastbound to junction 5 and A249.

To travel from Sittingbourne to Faversham / M2 coastbound, use the A249, M2 London-bound to junction 4 (Gillingham) where you can join the M2 coastbound.

To travel from Faversham / M2 coastbound to Sittingbourne, use the M2 London-bound to junction 4 (Gillingham), where you can join the M2 coastbound and return to junction 5 to join the A249.

To travel from Faversham / M2 coastbound to Maidstone, use the M20 where possible, alternatively follow the M2 London-bound to junction 3 to join the A229 then M20.

The A249 will be open, but you will not be able to travel through the Stockbury Roundabout, all traffic arriving at the roundabout will need to join the M2.

Non-motorway traffic travelling on the A249 southbound must exit the A249 at the Bobbing exit and should use the A2 and A229 and not approach Stockbury Roundabout.

Non-motorway traffic travelling from Maidstone should use A229 and A2 to get to the north of Stockbury Roundabout.

Non-motorway traffic on the A249 northbound to the south of the Stockbury roundabout will only be able to drive as far as Rumstead Lane. If accessing Stockbury, you’ll be able to continue up to Church Hill.

The disruption comes just a few weeks after a second bridge beam lift took place as part of the National Highways upgrade of junction 5 on the M2.

Last month a specialist 450-tonne crane was welcomed onto the site, by the A249 between Maidstone and Sittingbourne, along with 18 giant precast concrete beams that are forming the basis of the northern section of the new Stockbury flyover.

New drone pictures and video revealed how the completed work looked after a 48-hour operation.

Dan Rollinson, National Highways M2 junction 5 project lead, said: “Our second beam lift is another significant milestone for this transformative scheme.

“The M2 is a key strategic route through Kent providing alternative links to the cross-channel ports and the rest of the country.

“Our improvements to this important junction will help tackle congestion that drivers, businesses, and the local community have encountered for a long-time.”

During the operation a team of specialists lifted two edge beams, weighing 56-tonnes each, and 16 middle beams, each weighing 20 tonnes.

The beams were lifted onto the supports, known as abutments, that had already been built on the north of the roundabout, forming the base for this section of the new flyover.

Once complete the £92 million project will allow traffic to flow without restrictions over the Stockbury roundabout, reducing delays and improving safety.

The flyover is a key part of National Highways improvements at the busy junction.

Passing over the Stockbury Roundabout, it will provide free movement for anyone traveling on the A249, helping to improve journey times and safety.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "Junction 5 is one of the busiest junctions on the M2.

“It serves thousands of people each day and this can often lead to the build-up of long queues on the main carriageway during peak times, particularly on the A249.

“The improvement scheme, which will open to traffic in late 2024, aims to ease congestion at the junction to allow for the better management of traffic on the M2 and A249 at the Stockbury roundabout.

“Although we always try to keep disruption to a minimum, there are times when closures are unavoidable.”

For the latest news on the project visit the National Highways’ website.