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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.
In this edition, you'll find out more about:
- what we've been doing and what's coming up
- the latest on the eastbound and westbound slips
- our A249 closures
- how we've been supporting the local community
- when and where you can meet the team
What we’ve been doing and what's coming up in early 2023
Great progress has been made across the entire scheme this year.
We’ve almost finished the bulk of our earthworks to shape the landscape around the junction, which had to be carried out during the dry months of the year. This has been a momentous task and involves digging out and moving 210,000m3 of material – that would fill around 84 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
This work will restart in the spring, when the weather should be drier.
 Great progress has been made across the entire M2 junction 5 improvement scheme during 2022
We continue to work with suppliers to move utilities located on and around the junction. We need the underground services moved before we can start construction activities in these areas.
Good progress has been made with drainage installation and safety barrier work on the A249 north of M2 junction 5, between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing. These works have been carried out under weekend closures, due to the size of the machines required to undertake these tasks, and to provide a safe working area for the workforce.
Drainage work will continue into the new year, with the installation of 6,300m of surface water pipe and 80 chambers and gullies across the project. We’re also building two new attenuation ponds, which will hold surface water during wet periods and prevent flooding on the scheme in the future.
 Weekend work taking place on the A249
Piling work continues. So far, we’ve installed 93 concrete piles for the bases of the southbound and northbound bridge supports. The piles are being installed using a specialised piling rig, which digs into the ground. Concrete is then pumped to fill the void and create the foundation.
We’ve also been working on the retaining wall by the for the northbound carriageway. You should start to see our new structures taking shape, including the Stockbury flyover and retaining walls, next year.
Key milestones to look out for in late spring 2023, are the opening to traffic of the new Maidstone Road link and Oad Street link, which will temporarily take the A249 southbound traffic.
Eastbound slip roads update
We’re making good progress with the construction of the new eastbound (coastbound) slip roads. Unfortunately, due to the recent weather we’ve been unable to complete the final surfacing and white lining as originally planned. This means that we need to keep the slip roads closed for a little longer than we thought.
We’re now planning to reopen the slip roads by Monday 23 January 2023, subject to weather conditions.
We continue to work with the local authorities and emergency services while these, and any closures linked to the scheme, are in place.
Westbound slip roads update
We understand there have been some talk about us closing the westbound slip roads early next year for a solid block of time, as we have with the eastbound slips. This is not the case. We’re able to complete most of our work on these slips away from the carriageway, and you may have seen this work has started.
We’ll still need some weekend and overnight closures to link the slips to the existing carriageway, install a new safety barrier, and carry out surfacing and white lining work. Details of these closures will be made available on our project webpage once confirmed.
A249 weekend closures
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we’ve been carrying out drainage and safety barrier work on the A249 north of M2 junction 5 between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing.
We recently started this work on the northbound side of the A249, and we’ll be continuing with our weekend closures from 13 January to 6 March 2023 to get this work finished and keep our project on track.
These closures not only keep drivers safe, but also provide a safe working area. Within the closures, we’re carrying out a number of activities including the installation of drainage pipes, gullies and chambers, which will manage surface water and prevent the A249 flooding, and preparing for the installation of the new safety barrier. We only use closures when necessary to minimise the impact on the local community and road users.
Closure Information
The A249 northbound (towards Sheppey) between the Stockbury roundabout and Bobbing will be a fully closed:
- 8pm Friday 13 January to 5am Monday 16 January
- 8pm Friday 20 January to 5am Monday 23 January
- 8pm Friday 27 January to 5am Monday 30 January
- 8pm Friday 3 February to 5am Monday 6 February
- 8pm Friday 10 February to 5am Monday 13 February
- 8pm Friday 17 February to 5am Monday 20 February
- 8pm Friday 24 February to 5am Monday 27 February
- 8pm Friday 3 March to 5am Monday 6 March
There will be a lane closure at the same time as the closure on the A249 northbound on the A249 southbound (towards Maidstone) between Bobbing and the Stockbury, with a lane remaining open.
For drivers heading north (towards Sheppey) from the Stockbury roundabout, there will be a diversion in place via Maidstone Road, Chestnut Street, and Sheppey Way.
For more details about the closures or our upcoming work, please visit the project website. Additionally, if you would like to receive project updates, you can also sign up for future email notifications.
Planting tree with Hartlip Parish Council
From the outset of our scheme, the project team looked to keep the local parish councils up to date through regular meetings and presentations.
The team were recently approached by Graham Addicott OBE, Chairman of Hartlip Parish Council to ask for support with a tree planting scheme, to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
We were delighted to join the council on Tuesday 6 December to plant the Oak trees on parkland in Lower Hartlip Road. Oak trees are the national tree of England and a tree of character and longevity, which is fitting as commemorative trees.
 Tree planting with Hartlip Parish Council
Graham Addicott OBE, Chairman, Hartlip Parish Council said: “When telling Dan about the project, I explained to him that a sturdy fence providing a large ‘pen’ was to be erected around the trees to protect them. Following the long dry spell during the summer months the ground was very hard and I expressed my concerns about being able to plant the trees. Dan immediately offered to assist with that task and in no time at all came back to tell me that the site team would be able to assist, possibly by providing a small digger and manpower.
“Dan attended the site with two very helpful employees and in no time at all the trees had been planted. Hartlip Parish Council is very grateful to Graham and Co and particularly to Dan and his colleagues for the very helpful and efficient way this task was carried out and for Dan’s attention to detail before and on the day. I look forward to working with them again.”
Come and meet the project 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 will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The team will be on hand at Oad Street Food and Crafts on Wednesday 11 January between 10am - 12pm and 5pm - 7pm. These sessions will then continue on the second Wednesday of the month.
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.
Seasonal break
We’ll be taking a short break over Christmas to allow the project team to have a much-needed rest and spend some time with their loved ones, so you may not see us working. The M2 eastbound on and off slips, will remain closed during this time, but there will be no other road closures for the scheme over this break.
Aas you enjoy this holiday season, the team wishes you very safe journeys and hope you all have a very happy new year.
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