National Highways has been given top marks for its work on the £92 million Stockbury flyover scheme due to its appearance and the agency’s respect for the community.

The organisation was rated “excellent” by an independent assessor for its care for the environment and the high standards of its workforce while construction continues on the M2 junction 5 project between Sittingbourne and Maidstone along the A249.

The work, which will improve traffic flow and provide safer journeys at the busy junction, was inspected by the Considerate Constructor Scheme (CCS).

CCS evaluates projects based on key elements such as site appearance, respect for the community, protection of the environment, safety, and value to the workforce.

Following a recent visit to the M2 J5 scheme, the independent assessor commented on the project's “continued excellent work they are portraying of the construction industry” and “excellent engagement they continue to employ to understand the impacts that the works have on the community”.

The scheme was awarded the maximum score.

Project manager for the scheme, Dan Rollinson, said: “The complexities of building a project of this size cannot be underestimated, and I am delighted that our efforts to do so with consideration for our workforce, drivers, the local community and the environment continues to be recognised as industry-leading.”

However, residents in Stockbury have criticised the agency, saying more needed to be done to compensate their village businesses, which they claim have been cut off by the scheme.

The contractors, however, explained they had been trying to help with trade. A spokesman said they had booked events at the pub, taken out a contract for fleet maintenance with its garage and helped its farm shop with its online advertising.

For the latest phase of construction, click here.

The M2 J5 scheme is not National Highways’ only project to have been awarded.

Its M25 J28 scheme, which will improve traffic flow and provide safer journeys in Essex, was also given the maximum score and was praised for “community communication and support arrangements” and “progress in the site's social value plans and the wide range of community support and engagement activities”.