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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 Highways England 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.

Temporary work date (s) Road name Traffic management

12 and 13 August

A249 northbound entry slip road closure

Full closure

14 and 15 August

Grovehurst Road North (B2005)

Full closure

Traffic management from 4 August

  • A249 southbound exit slip towards Maidstone is open
  • A249 southbound entry slip towards Maidstone is open
  • 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 – two-way traffic lights from 9am to 4pm for 3 days
  • Swale Way/southern gyratory – three-way temporary traffic lights until 22 August 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 - September 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.

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

The government Growth Deal provides money to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, funding projects which drive Kent’s economic and business growth.