East Kent Access Phase 2

East Kent Access Phase 2 is the improvement of the A299 between Minster roundabout and the Lord of the Manor junction, and improvement of the A256 from Lord of the Manor junction connecting with Phase 1 at the old Richborough power station site.

Phase 1 was the earlier improvement of the A256 southwards to connect to Sandwich bypass, including a link road around the south side of the Pfizer complex.

The purpose of the scheme is to improve accessibility and safety. It will help support the economy of east Kent and connect the ports of Dover and Ramsgate and Kent International Airport. This will complete improvements of the A299 Thanet Way and A256 that were started in the 1980s.

Phase 2 is an improvement to dual carriageway standard. Features include taking the road in an underpass beneath Foads Hill and the railway at Cliffsend; and over the railway at Cottington Lane.

Scheme cost - £87m funded by Department of Transport with £5.75m support from KCC.

For more information, please see the scheme plan (PDF, 4MB).

During the works you can find details of work and restrictions that will affect the surrounding roads on our current works information page.

Current situation

A construction contract was awarded to a joint-venture of Volker Fitzpatrick and Hochtief and work started on site in October 2009.

The new underpass at Cliffsend was successfully jacked into position under Foads Hill and the railway line during the summer 2011.

The Lord of the Manor junction has been substantially completed following the temporary closure of the A256 and traffic diversion onto substantial sections of the new road.

Construction effort is now focused on completing the underpass and the approach retaining walls and the associated section of new road.

Completion of the project is on target for May 2012.