26/07/24 

Dear stakeholder,

Please see below statement regarding the Swale Way closures.

Earlier this week we shared with you our plan for closing parts of Swale Way for a number of weeks in August and at the beginning of September.

We understand people are tired of delays in the area. While our works will cause some disruption, we have always been clear that our aim is to minimise inconvenience to the travelling public wherever possible.

That is why we are postponing the roadworks. Instead, we will create a temporary road which will run parallel to Swale Way and connect to the Grovehurst Road roundabout.

The temporary road will take traffic in both directions, allowing utility companies to safely complete the work needed to supplies on the original road, while maintaining traffic flow at all times.

The utility works required on Swale Way are now expected to take place later this year, which gives us time to build the temporary road.

Dear stakeholder,

This is to notify you that two full closures of Grovehurst road north, in both northbound and southbound directions from Swale Way roundabout to Iwade village is scheduled to take place as follows.

First closure will be from 06:00am on Monday July 29, 2024 until 22:00pm on Sunday August 04, 2024.

Second closure will be from 06:00am on Thursday August 15, 2024 until 22:00pm on Sunday August 25, 2024.

The extent of this closure will be from the junction of Cormorant Road and Grovehurst road to Swale Way roundabout. Access to pond farm will be maintained.

This closure is necessary to facilitate the installation of service crossings and tie ins.

Please see below diversion routes for this closure, as shown in the diversion drawing attached.

Traffic wishing to enter the northbound or southbound A249 from Iwade village will use southbound Sheppey Way towards Bobbing roundabout where the diversion ends.

Traffic wishing to travel to Iwade village from Swale Way roundabout or the B2005 will use the southbound A249 entry slip to travel on the southbound A249. Traffic will then use the A249 southbound exit slip at Bobbing junction to travel on to Sheppey Way northbound to Iwade village where the diversion ends.

Due to the A249 northbound exit slip being closed, traffic wishing to travel to Iwade village will continue on the A249 northbound using Ridham Junction roundabout to return southbound on the A249. Traffic will then continue on the A249 southbound using the southbound exit slip at Bobbing junction, traffic will then use the northbound Sheppey way to travel to Iwade where the diversion ends.

Update 02.01.2024:

As work continues to deliver the road improvements at the A249 Grovehurst Road junction, we would like to provide you with an update.

Works need to begin on the southbound side of the A249, heading towards Stockbury. This includes installing a piling rig, which will be used to lay foundations for the new bridge. To complete this safely, a temporary lane closure needs to be put in place. Instead of the single-lane restriction being in place on the entire length of the Sheppey Crossing, traffic will begin to merge after the entry slip road from the Kingsferry Bridge thereby reducing the length of roadworks required in this direction.

The alteration in the traffic management has been achieved by working with National Highways to review the reduced length, to ensure there are no compromises in public or construction worker safety. A temporary 50mph speed limit will be in place for the length of the roadworks. The alternative traffic management arrangement will reduce the impact on travel time and traffic movements on the Isle of Sheppey, however it is likely that road users will still experience some delays during the morning peak.

The change will be brought in on 8th January 2024 and removed in the summer, although there may need to be additional traffic management later in the project.

Night-time road closures

Please be informed in advance that on Monday 8th January 2024 from 20:00pm – 06:00am, there will be a road closure of the A249 southbound mainline from the start of the Grovehurst exit slip to the end of the southbound Grovehurst entry slip. This is to allow for the installation of barrier to protect the workforce to the A249 mainline of the South Abutment. Diversion for this closure will take traffic up and over at the A249 Grovehurst Junction using the southbound exit slip and to return to the mainline using the southbound entry slip as shown in the diversion drawing attached.

Please be informed in advance that the A249 southbound Sheppey Crossing will also be closed Monday 8th January from 20:00pm -06:00am, this is to allow for the installation of road markings. The diversion route for this closure is to use the southbound Kingsferry bridge, please see diversion drawing attached.