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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the M2 junction 5 improvement scheme newsletter, thank you for your interest in our project.
What we’ve done so far
Excellent progress has been made across the entire scheme in recent months, especially on our earthworks, which are now 80% complete. The earthworks must be carried out during the drier months of the year and are essential to the progress of the project.
The earthworks include digging and movement of material to help us shape the land around the junction. Where the material is not needed on site it’s being taken to the village of Rushenden on the Isle of Sheppey to raise the existing ground level by approximately two metres and will help protect a new housing development from future flooding.
We’re almost two months into the construction of the new dedicated eastbound on and off slips. This work is progressing well with site clearance now complete, and earthwork and drainage currently underway.
 Work continues on the eastbound on and off slips
 Removing the road surface on the eastbound slip roads
Oad Street has re-opened on schedule to traffic following the completion of the carriageway widening, including kerb installation, surfacing and temporary white lining works.
A major phase of piling works has been completed, with nearly 1000 concrete piles successfully installed along the northbound carriageway. Piling is a method of installing concrete foundations using large specialist drills and cranes to drill holes that are filled with concrete into the ground. The concrete piles will support the approach to the new Stockbury flyover.
The installation of 75 continuous flight auger (CFA) piles has been completed and steel works are now underway to form the new northbound retaining wall. The piles were installed using a specialised piling rig, which digs into the ground. Concrete is then pumped to fill the hole and create the foundation.
What’s happening over the next couple of months
Piling work and concrete laying will be carried out to form the south support for one of the two new Stockbury flyover bridges. Earthworks and drainage installation continues across the entire scheme, including the Oad Street link road and eastbound on and off slips. Surfacing work will start on the Maidstone link road before Christmas.
Work to divert utilities located under the carriageway continue. This includes high and low voltage electricity cables, Openreach, South East Water and Southern Water. A 700mm and 300mm water main needs to be diverted across the entire scheme as part of this work.
Weekend closures for drainage work
As part of our preparation for the new carriageways at the junction, we’ve been installing drainage on the A249. To safely carry out these works, we need to close the A249 north of the M2, between Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing. Please use signed diversion routes during the closures.
Latest closure information
The A249 southbound (towards Maidstone) between Bobbing and the Stockbury roundabout will be closed:
- 8pm Friday 11 November to 5am Monday 14 November
For drivers heading south (towards Maidstone) from the Bobbing roundabout, there will be a diversion in place via Sheppey Way, Chestnut Street and Maidstone Road. This will bring you the Stockbury roundabout, where you can continue your journey.
The A249 northbound (towards Sheppey) between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing will be closed:
- 8pm Friday 18 November to 5am Monday 21 November
- 8pm Friday 25 November to 5am Monday 28 November
- 8pm Friday 2 December to 5am Monday 5 December
- 8pm Friday 9 December to 5am Monday 12 December
- 8pm Friday 16 December to 5am Monday 19 December
For drivers wanting to head north (towards Sheppey) from the Stockbury roundabout, there will be a diversion in place via Maidstone Road, Chestnut Street, and Sheppey Way. This will bring you back to the A249 northbound, where you can continue with your journey, which would adversely affect local residents and the travelling public.
We would like to thank everyone for your ongoing patience while we undertake these essential works.
For more details about the closures and other upcoming work, please visit the project website.
MP site visit
The project team welcomed local MP, Gordon Henderson, to site in early October for a tour of the site and to see first-hand our progress to date. The team provided a detailed update, including on the road and slip closures.
 Gordon Henderson MP toured the site in early October
We spoke to our project manager Daniel Rollinson following the visit: “It was great to be able to welcome MP Gordon Henderson to the M2 junction 5 site and to show him the excellent progress that has been made since the scheme commenced. We also provided an update on the eastbound slip road closures and the reasons why the closures are required.
“The project team has worked tirelessly and continues to communicate with our stakeholders to ensure this much-needed scheme continues to progress positively”
Come and meet the project team
The project team are continuing our regular drop-in clinics, which have been a great way for local residents, businesses and other stakeholders to meet the team.
If you have got a question about the scheme or are interested to see what it will look like when our works are finished, then please visit or next drop-in and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The team will next be on hand at Oad Street Food and Crafts on Wednesday 9 November between 10am - 12pm and 5pm - 7pm.
These sessions will continue to be held on the second Wednesday of the month.
 The project team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have
The cafe can be found on Oad Street, Sittingbourne ME9 8LB. There is parking on site and the café is fully accessible. Feel free to come along and say hello.
If you can’t make it and have a question, you can email us on m2j5@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000, and one of the team will be happy to help.
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