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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the M2 junction 5 improvement scheme newsletter.
Progress update
Here at the site offices, the team are thrilled with the excellent progress that has been made since the beginning of the year.
The end of 2022 challenged the team with periods of poor weather, and this continued into 2023. Despite this, we're happy to report we're still on track.
 In early April, we successfully switched the flow of traffic travelling south on the A249 from the Stockbury roundabout onto the brand-new road next to the original carriageway. This is to allow us to start prep work for the new flyover.
While this move is temporary, this new road will later become a key part of our finished scheme. We know it as the new Oad Street link road, and once opened at the end of this year, it will give direct access to the Stockbury roundabout from Oad Street, Pett Lane and South Green. The road will also be the access for residents of Maidstone Road and Chestnut Street to the Stockbury roundabout.
We’ve also started work on the new Maidstone Road link. For those of you who travel on the A249, you will have seen the road that goes up the hill on the east side of the carriageway.
While we’re working on the new link road, we’ve closed access to the Stockbury roundabout from Maidstone Road. The new link is due to open in mid-June, and will connect the end of Maidstone Road to Oad Street, and then on to the Stockbury roundabout.
Across the scheme, we’ve been shaping the area around the junction ready for the new layout. You may have also noticed some of the new structures starting to be built, including a large tower on the south side of the Stockbury roundabout. This is an abutment, or support, for the new flyover. It’s great to see our plans coming to life!
 We understand that weekend or overnight closures over the past few months have been frustrating, however they are essential to keep drivers and our teams safe while we carry out work, such as white lining, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. We’d like to thank everyone for your patience.
Looking ahead
We’re continuing our work on the new Maidstone Road link. Once opened in June, this will become the route to the Stockbury roundabout and Oad Street from Maidstone Road and Chestnut Street.
Once the link is open, we’ll start landscaping the area around it. This will need be done during the planting season between November and March. We’ll be planting native trees and shrubs such as silver birch, dogwood and hawthorn.
Once the scheme is complete, we’ll have increased the woodland habitat of the area by 8.7 hectares, roughly the size of 12 football pitches.
We’re also preparing to turn on the new lighting for the Oad Street link, M2 eastbound slip and the Stockbury roundabout.
You can find out more about what's coming up on our project webpage.
Upcoming road closures
Weekend closure of the A249 - 9pm Friday 12 May to 5am Monday 15 May
In May, we’ll be switching the traffic travelling north on the A249 towards the Stockbury roundabout onto the old southbound carriageway. To get the road ready, the A249 northbound between the M20 junction 7 and Stockbury roundabout will be closed from 9pm Friday 12 May to 5am Monday 15 May.
When the road reopens on Monday 15 May, northbound traffic will use the old southbound carriageway.
During this closure Kent County Council will be taking the opportunity to carry out focused carriageway repairs on the A249 north of Rumpstead Lane.
You can find more information about our upcoming closures on our project webpage.
M2 junctions 4 to 5 resurfacing - Monday 15 May to Friday 16 June
Separate from the improvement scheme, we'll soon be carrying out resurfacing on the M2.
The M2 between junctions 4 and 5 will be closed each night from 8pm in evening until 6am the following morning:
- Monday 15 to Friday 19 May – London-bound
- Monday 22 to Thursday 25 May – coastbound
- Tuesday 30 May to Friday 2 June – coastbound
- Monday 12 to Thursday 15 June – London-bound (closures will start at 10pm from Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 June)
There will also be a lane closed during the day on the London-bound entry and exit slips at junction 5 from Monday 15 May for seven days, then again from Monday 12 June for seven days.
Before this work starts, the M2 London-bound exit slip at junction 5 closed overnight (8pm to 6am) on Sunday 14 May to allow for barrier repairs.
For more information about this work, visit our south east maintenance webpage.
Scheme gains top marks
We’re delighted to have been rated as excellent by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).
CCS is an independent organisation that promotes and supports construction sites in their efforts to care for the environment, local community and their workforce.
The project was awarded 45/45, with the assessor commenting that “the team are striving to go one step further to ensure they are showing consideration across all three sections of the schemes core code”.
Following the review, project manager Dan said: “The complexities of building a project of this size cannot be underestimated, and I am delighted that we have been able to achieve a score of 45/45 whilst doing so. It is a reflection of all the hard work the project team have been doing.”
Supporting the local community
Charity donations
For International Women’s Day, we raised more than £200 for New Leaf Support. The charity supports victims and their children suffering from domestic abuse.
And over the Easter, we donated more than 120 Easter eggs to the Trussell Trust Foodbank based in Sittingbourne. Janice from the Foodbank expressed her gratitude to the team.
 Aggregate donation puts charity on right path
Some people say it with flowers, on the M2 junction 5 improvement scheme, we say it with aggregate.
The delivery of stone was made to Dandelion Time in Maidstone, a charity that works with Kent children who are experiencing serious behavioural and emotional difficulties as a result of trauma, together with their families.
The farm setting at Dandelion Time provides the opportunity for families to experiment, play and connect within its fields, gardens, and woodland. With therapies including everything from calming crafts to gardening and animal care, families are able to share new experiences and create memories.
Having approached us to see if we could help with the base for new woodland toilets and improved pathways, we were happy to assist. A delivery of more than 10 tonnes of stone aggregate soon arrived at Dandelion Time HQ – the equivalent of five fully grown hippos!
Caroline from Dandelion Time explained what this donation means to them: “The stone has enabled us to create a magnificent new path, which is not only tidier but much safer underfoot. We’re now looking forward to the grand opening of our new woodland toilets that will enable us to accommodate more families for therapeutic sessions across our 22-acre site, without the need to go back to base every time they need the loo! Thank you so much to everyone involved for your help.”
 Kent County Council Councillors visit
We recently welcomed councillors and representatives from Kent County Council for a tour of the scheme.
Sharon Thompson, Head of Planning, Kent County Council, said: “I want to say thank you to you and your colleagues for organising the site visit yesterday. It was highly informative and remarkably interesting. The scale and complexity of what you are achieving is just not recognised from the quick drive through as a motorist.”
Come and meet the team
We continue to hold regular drop-in clinics where you can come and meet the team.
Maybe you have a question about the scheme or are interested to see what it will look like when it’s finished, then please come along.
We’ll be at Oad Street Food and Crafts on Wednesday 10 May between 10am and 12pm, and again from 5pm to 7pm.
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 - these sessions are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
You can also 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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