A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements newsletter...A2 will be retained and the slip roads to the A2 widened The Bean junction will include: Enlarging the existing roundabouts

© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS 100030649 • Diagrammatic plan • Not to scale© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS 100030649 • Diagrammatic plan • Not to scale

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A2260

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B255

B259

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Bluewater

Ebbsfleet site clearance

Welcome to the second issue of the A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements newsletter which includes details of what we have been doing in the last few months. We hope you find it an informative and enjoyable read.

The A2 is a major road in south-east England connecting London with the English Channel port of Dover in Kent. The local area is predicted to see significant growth in the future. This scheme will provide additional capacity at each junction to accommodate the new developments, while improving journey times and increasing safety. This is great news for the local and regional economy.

Scheme description

The Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions are on the busy A2 trunk road separated by approximately 1.2 miles (two kilometres). The Bean junction connects the Bluewater shopping centre and the B255 to the A2. The Ebbsfleet junction connects the A2 with the B259 Southfleet Road.

A2 Bean and Ebbsfleetjunction improvements newsletter

December 2020

https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/a2-bean-and-ebbsfleet-junction-improvements

Ebbsfleet site clearance Horse Sanctuary

Horse Sanctuary

New central bridge support at Bean

A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements

Current programme of works

Winter 2020/21 Construction of Bean bridge continues with

the installation of the supports at either end of the bridge. There will be occasional overnight closures around Bean, details of which can be found on the project webpage.

Ongoing work to widen the road at Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions and utility works.

Spring 2021 Work continues to install the new bridge at

Bean which will be in place for London-bound traffic.

Works start on the hard shoulder of the coastbound carriageway of the A2 along with constructing a new overhead electronic messaging sign which will be used to display messages for road users and monitor traffic flows.

Fencing will be installed to help minimise noise for those residents in impacted areas and to provide a visual screen of the carriageway.

Summer 2021 The new bridge is expected to be installed

in mid-June. Details for this work are yet to be confirmed but we will communicate this to anyone who registers an interest closer to the time.

Work continues at Bean and Ebbsfleet junction.

Autumn 2021 Complete installation of the new bridge at Bean.

Remaining works to continue at Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions.

Winter 2021/22 Final stages of construction at Bean and

Ebbsfleet junctions.

Spring 2022 Fully opening of both junctions for traffic.

We are proposing to improve both junctions:

The Ebbsfleet junction will include:

Enlarging the existing roundabout which will have traffic lights in place

The road between the roundabouts will be widened to a dual carriageway

The slip roads from the A2 will be retained and the slip roads to the A2 widened

The Bean junction will include:

Enlarging the existing roundabouts

New bridge over the A2 for London-bound traffic

New slip road from Bean onto the A2 for coastbound traffic

What have we been doing?

A2 mainline

We have completed most of the works in the central reservation, including the installation of the new concrete barrier, road drainage, and the support for the new bridge at Bean. In the run up to Christmas we will be resurfacing to enable us to remove narrow lanes from the London-bound carriageway. On the coastbound carriageway narrow lanes will remain to allow us to start work in the verge. The speed limit on the London-bound carriageway will increase to 60mph, with the 50mph remaining in place for coastbound traffic.

Clearance work

We have been clearing vegetation and topsoil at both Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions to prepare both sites for our works planned next year, such as the new bridge across the A2 for London-bound traffic and the new slip road for coastbound traffic.

Due to the requirements of our environmental licenses we had to undertake a large amount of vegetation clearance in October, including some works at night. No more significant vegetation clearance is planned over the next few months.

Community involvement

Horse sanctuary

Spirits Rest Horse Sanctuary is a local charity that has recently re-located to a new larger location in the borough of Dartford. Our team assisted with the relocation and is providing water for the horses until the new connection is installed by Thames Water.

Christine Bates from the horse sanctuary has said:

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team who have helped us on both the Bean and Dartford sites. All the guys have worked so hard and have been amazing – we have made friends for life.”

© Crown copyright 2020.

You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence: visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email [email protected].

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This document is also available on our website at www.highwaysengland.co.ukFor an accessible version of this publication please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.

If you have any enquiries about this publication email [email protected] or call 0300 123 5000*. Please quote the Highways England publications code PR173/20

Highways England creative job number GFD20_0146

*Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone. Calls may be recorded or monitored.

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Registered office Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford GU1 4LZHighways England Company Limited registered in England and Wales number 09346363

How can I find out more information? You can find out more by going to our web page or by emailing or calling us.

Visit our website:https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/a2-bean-and-ebbsfleet-junction-improvements

Email us:[email protected]

Call us:0300 123 5000

COVID-19Highways England’s priority is to play its part in keeping the country safe and supporting the movement of essential supplies, services and people who cannot work from home.

We are following the government’s policy which is that construction activity should continue where it can be done safely.

All our sites have strict safeguarding measures, in line with Public Health England guidance, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and none of our sites are open to the public.

Donating supplies

The project team has also helped other local charities. These include donations to The Trussell Trust local food bank through the local Morrison’s supermarket, and donating topsoil to a local boy scout group.

We look forward to continuing our work with local charities throughout the construction of the scheme, and plan on supporting future fundraising activities for the Ellenor Hospice in Northfleet.

Listening to our customers

One of our top priorities is to listen to our customers feedback to help us improve their experience. Every month we arrange a ‘secret shopper’ type drive through of our works. The feedback from these audits has resulted in more signs being installed to explain the reasons for the roadworks. We have also changed the diversions signs to provide clearer guidance during diversions. These drive throughs will continue throughout the lifetime of the scheme.

Morrison's food donation