Sheppey Crossing: Concern over traffic disruption due to roadworks

Kent County Council (KCC) said it was actively working to "minimise disruption".

Roadworks are having a "woeful" impact on traffic on the Sheppey Crossing, a councillor says.

Only one lane of two is open to traffic leaving the island on the crossing due to a £38.6m scheme to improve the A249.

Mike Whiting, who represents Sheppey on Kent County Council (KCC), said it had caused "intense pressure" for those living on the island.

KCC said it was actively working to "minimise disruption".

The works on the Grovehurst roundabout, which has led to one lane being shut on the southbound Sheppey Crossing, are planned to last for another year.

Mr Whiting told BBC Radio Kent that hundreds of children were late for school as a result of the disruption.

Local business owners also said they were affected.

Timothy Lambkin, who is a managing director of a bus and coach company, said his firm was losing about £5,000 a week due to the traffic.

"Everyone is impacted. Delivery firms, the general public, people going to doctor's appointments. It's intense pressure for everybody who lives on the island," he said.

KCC said: "As part of our ongoing work at the A249 Grovehurst Road junction, we've had to introduce traffic management in line with standards set by the National Highways to keep workers and the travelling public safe.

"This has meant reducing the Sheppey Crossing to one lane instead of two in the direction heading off the island. This reflects the complexity of the arrangement of the existing slip roads and the constraints of the Sheppey Crossing."

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