Complex construction delays A249 scheme

Kent County Council (KCC) has announced further delays to the installation of a second bridge over the A249 and the realignment of the junction at Grovehurst Road in Sittingbourne, due to ‘the complexity of the construction’.

The works, which began in September 2023, were originally scheduled for completion in December last year but were extended an additional nine months - taking the new completion date into September this year.

When the original deadline was reached, KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Neil Baker, said that the council understood that ‘major projects like this cause disruption but [it was] committed to minimising this as much as possible’, and that the council would ‘continue to monitor the situation’.

As well as construction difficulties, KCC has also stated that the delays are partially due to difficulties with co-ordinating utility companies, as there is work needed to move utility lines to clear the way for the scheme to proceed.

The new revised schedule that KCC has announced is as follows:

• June: the gyratory will be opened to drivers
• July: works to the Grovehurst Road on the Iwade side of A249 will be completed
• August: works to the Kemsley side of the A249 will be completed
• September: works to the existing bridge will be completed and the new bridge opened

The council added that traffic management planning is currently being used to reduce traffic congestion ‘as much as possible’ for the duration of the works, and that it will remain on the southbound exit slip road, as there are ongoing BT works that are taking place as well.

Simon Jones, KCC’s corporate director for growth, environment and transport, said: ‘Building the new bridge and making changes to the surrounding road network and utilities is a complex project. The local community has been very patient while the works have been progressing and we hope they will value the benefits of smoother and more reliable journeys this project will bring.’

Kent County Council has been approached for comment.