Isle of Sheppey: A249 roadworks to be removed until January

Kent County Council (KCC) said it will reopen the A249 from 15 November

Roadworks which have reduced the Sheppey Crossing in Kent to one lane are to be lifted.

Kent County Council will fully reopen the A249 while alternative traffic management arrangements are considered.

The road between the Isle of Sheppey and the mainland has been cut to a single lane southbound while improvement works were carried out.

A local councillor said the closure had caused "intense pressure" for islanders.

Mike Whiting, the Kent County Council member for Sheppey, said hundreds of children were being made late for school by the disruption.

The council said the road will fully reopen on 15 November.

The construction of a new bridge, which will require another southbound lane closure, will now take place in January 2024.

The single-lane closure on the northbound carriageway between the Bobbing junction and the Grovehurst Road junction will remain while work is concentrated on that side of the road.

Cabinet member for highways and transport, Neil Baker, said: "We understand the single-lane closure has been disruptive. That is why we have asked our contractor to rearrange the way they work so we can minimise disruption as far as possible.

"Safety is our priority and in early January we expect we will have to reinstate the single lane closure, but we are working with National Highways to find a way in which we can safely reduce queuing time where possible."

The council said the works will increase capacity on the road and provide the infrastructure needed for new housing in Swale.

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