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Motorists face a second weekend of roadworks on the A249.
The Maidstone-bound carriageway will be closed between Bobbing roundabout at Sittingbourne and Stockbury roundabout from 10pm on Friday (Nov 12) to 5am on Monday. (Nov 15)
Drivers heading towards Maidstone are advised to use the old Sheppey Way, Chestnut Street and Maidstone Road before re-joining the A249 at Stockbury.
They also face delays on the A2 if travelling between Sittingbourne and Rainham as Southern Water has roadworks planned at the junction with Otterham Quay Lane on Sunday from 8am to 4pm. Rainham High Street will be closed for a Remembrance Sunday parade for 11am.
Motorists suffered 20-mile diversions last weekend when the road was closed to move gas, water and electricity supplies in advance of work starting on a £92m flyover across the roundabout at junction 5 of the M2.
They were told to use the M2 to the Bluebell Hill interchange and join the A229 towards Maidstone and then the M20 to junction 7. To avoid motorways, they were advised to join the Chatham-bound A2 at Key Street and take the A229 into Maidstone before rejoining the A249.
Swale councillor Mike Whiting (Con, Teynham & Lynsted) admitted: “There have been some major delays at the roundabout, particularly when the works started and lanes were closed for tree clearance.
"The traffic light phasing was also a cause of major delays approaching the roundabout from Sittingbourne. There has been a little improvement but that may be because people are finding other routes."
He added: "We have two years of this and at times it will undoubtedly get worse as construction starts. I’ll certainly be giving myself extra time if using the junction.”
Swale's Cllr Mike Baldock (Ind Alliance, Borden & Grove Park) said: "The comments I've had so far are mainly people upset at the loss of the trees and the wildlife concerns. I expect the real problems will come with the long-term diversions and closures."
Roland Eglinton, managing director of Chalkwell Coach Hire, said: "It hasn't affected us too much so far as most of what we do is either east to west or on the Island. But I look forward to seeing how the project develops. Unforeseen problems, rather than planned closures, can have a dramatic effect and grind Sittingbourne to a halt."
He added: "The mass deforestation at Stockbury is a concern from an environmental perspective but I think this has to be balanced against the carbon generated by cars sat idling in traffic if the scheme did not go ahead. It will be a bit of pain for now but it should be worth it in the long term."
Kent County Council gave itself permission for October 1 to close adjoining roads for the next 30 months. Motorists will be given 14 days notice of each closure.
Waiting is being banned along Chestnut Street at Borden for its entire length and the road's weight restriction will be eased to allow lorries to use it.
A temporary 50mph speed limit is being imposed on A249 Sittingbourne Road between the Stockbury roundabout and Chalky Road and 30mph restrictions will be applied to Oad Street, Chestnut Street and Maidstone Road. Traffic will not be allowed to turn right into Honeycrock Hill and Church Hill from the A249 on onto the A249 from Oad Street.
Updates are available by calling 0300 123 5000 or emailing m2j5@highwaysengland.com. A virtual exhibition is on the National Highways website.
Two dedicated slip roads are also being built to make it easier for traffic to join the M2. Maidstone Road to the A249 Stockbury Roundabout will be closed and re-routed to link with Oad Street. The existing junction of Oad Street will be closed and a new link provided.