BRFM MP welcomes new Junction 5 proposal
Written by karen on 4 June 2018
A positive welcome to new Junction 5 proposal.
Gordon Henderson MP has welcomed today’s announcement by Highways England of their preferred option for a new M2 Junction 5 at Stockbury.
The new design, known as “Option 4H1”, benefits from a flyover, taking through traffic on the A249 over the existing roundabout. Work on the £85m scheme will start by March 2020.
Gordon Henderson MP said, “I opposed the previous design because it introduced more traffic lights to the junction and did not provide the through route for A249 traffic via a flyover. I have been lobbying government and Highways England for many months, as I know Kent County Council and others have, and I am delighted our voices have been heard.
“The long overdue improvements will be welcomed by the thousands who currently queue there each morning. The new junction will also address
the safety issues at the existing roundabout and on the approaches on the A249. The area has one of the worse safety records on the road network.”
Bowed to public pressure
The welcomed announcement came after news broke last week that Highways England had bowed to public pressure and agreed to build a £100 million flyover at the M2’s junction with the A249 Sittingbourne and Sheppey turn-off.
A series of exhibitions will be held for the public to comment on the new design for the Stockbury Roundabout at Junction 5.
Planners initially ruled out a flyover on the grounds of cost and wanted to revamp the busy roundabout and retain traffic lights.
It is hoped to begin work on the 18-month project no later than March 2020 with the revamped junction expected to be finished by the winter 2021.
Transport bosses agree the junction can no longer cope with the existing traffic.
More traffic to the thriving Sheerness Docks, Morrisons distribution depot at Iwade, the planned new Aldi distribution depot on Sheppey and thousands of new homes on the Island and around Sittingbourne has led to increased pressure on the road.
“…One of Britain’s 50 most dangerous places”
The junction is one of Britain’s 50 most dangerous places. There were 111 injury accidents between January 2011 and December 2015. Nearly half happened during morning and evening rush-hours.
To express your views you can write to: M2 Junction 5 Project Team Highways England, Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4LZ
E-mail: M2J5@highwaysengland.co.uk or by Telephone: 0300 123 5000 (Open 24 hours)
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