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A249 Grovehurst Road and interchange junction

We have been awarded £38.1million from the Housing and Infrastructure Fund to deliver highway improvements at two junctions of the A249 to the west of Sittingbourne:

The scheme to improve the Grovehurst Road and A249 junction will replace the existing “dumbbell” junction with a two-bridge flyover.

Why we're making changes

Due to the congestion on the roads, we as the local authority highway and National Highways are dedicated to improving the safety in this area of development.

The improvement scheme will increase capacity on the road network, and provide the infrastructure needed for the housing plans in Swale’s adopted local plan to be delivered. The housing plans consist of 4,628 new homes planned on the A249 corridor from the junction with the M2 to the Isle of Sheppey.

What will change

The improvements constructed by Jackson Civil Engineering to the A249/Grovehurst Road include:

  • replacing the existing junction with a two-bridge flyover
  • removing the current roundabouts and constructing an additional bridge to create a loop over the A249.

Traffic restrictions, road closures and diversions

In Kent, we are responsible for all public roads except motorways and trunk roads. The M2 and A249 are managed by National Highways.

Diversions

The diversion routes are clearly marked, including big signs letting drivers know Sheppey Way is not suitable for HGVs.

Despite the official diversion route not passing through Iwade, we understand motorists often look for the most convenient and direct route. We will continuously monitor and review the impact on Iwade.

Swale Way and Grovehurst Road South B2005

There will be a closure of the southern gyratory, impacting Swale Way (northbound lane) and Grovehurst Road south B2005 (southbound lane) from midnight on Sunday 7 September to midnight Friday 12 September.

When the lane closure is removed from Swale Way, the Grovehurst Road south B2005 southbound lane closure (towards Sittingbourne) will remain in place until midnight on Tuesday 16 September.

Diversion for traffic coming from the island will be via Bobbing, the B2006 and B2005 to Kemsley. Traffic intending to use Swale Way will be diverted from Barge Way roundabout via Swale Way B2005, Castle Road B2005, and B2006 Eurolink Way to Bobbing.

Traffic management

The following traffic management starts from 1 September 2025:

  • A249 southbound exit slip towards Maidstone is open
  • A249 southbound entry slip towards Maidstone is open
  • A249 northbound and southbound mainline - lane closure until 5 September
  • Grovehurst Road existing bridge is closed – due to reopen 5 September
  • Grovehurst Road south B2005 is open
  • A249 northbound entry slip towards the Isle of Sheppey is open
  • A249 northbound exit slip towards the Isle of Sheppey is open
  • Grovehurst Road north – lane closure from 10am to 2pm on 1 and 2 September
  • Swale Way/southern gyratory - 3-way temporary traffic lights until 8 September 2025.

Project timescales

  • Advanced vegetation clearance - completed February 2023
  • Advanced ecological reptile translocation - completed spring to summer 2023
  • Contract award (main works) - completed May 2023
  • Commenced works - August 2023
  • Northbound exit and entry slip roads reopen - completed August 2024
  • Bridge desk installation - completed late summer 2024
  • Traffic management on A249 removed - January 2025
  • Gyratory open to drivers - June 2025
  • Works to the Iwade side of the A249 complete - July 2025
  • Works to the Kemsley side of the A249 complete - August 2025
  • Works to the existing bridge complete and the new bridge opened - September 2025
  • Works completed - December 2025.

Videos of improvements

Email GrovehurstRoad@jackson-civils.co.uk to contact us or give us feedback about this scheme.

Scheme documents

Scheme cost

The £38.6 million is funded by £38.1 million from the Housing Infrastructure Fund Grant and £500,000 developer contributions.

Formal decision

The approval to progress the scheme was taken by Kent County Council on 27 April 2020. Planning consent for the Grovehurst Road scheme was granted on 16 March 2022.

Newsletters

View the latest updates of the A249 Grovehurst Road and Key Street scheme:

Media releases

Funded by

Homes England Infrastructure Fund.