Diversion details for M2 weekend closure as further roadworks loom
Drivers have faced considerable delays around the M2 this weekend due to an ongoing road closure along a busy stretch of the motorway. National Highways has shut the coast-bound carriageway from Junction 5 for Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Maidstone, and Junction 7, for Faversham and Brenley Corner.
This is a full weekend closure, having come into effect from 8pm on Friday, September 6. Crews are completing repairs to two bridges between the junctions, with works including replacing the expansion joints, waterproofing, and resurfacing to maintain the structural integrity of the bridges.
For these works to be carried out, this stretch of the coast-bound carriageway will remain shut until 6am on Monday, September 9. The prolonged closure has resulted in considerable traffic on and around the M2 over the weekend so far, with delays impacting surrounding roads also, such as the A2 in Sittingbourne.
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Meanwhile, Stagecoach has reported major delays on its X3 service, which travels between Maidstone and Canterbury. While disruption continues, passengers have been urged by the bus operator to “please check the Stagecoach app before travel.”
As this section of the M2 is due to remain closed for the remainder of Sunday and overnight, drivers will need to follow a diversion route when travelling along the coast-bound carriageway. Road users will need to leave the M2 and travel via the A249 to the M20 from Junction 7 and then onto the A20, followed by the A2 before getting back to the M2 at Junction 7.
This will not be the last closure of the M2 this month either. National Highways has confirmed that there will be another full weekend closure from Friday, September 13, though this time on the London-bound carriageway.
The motorway will shut from Junction 7 to Junction 5 until 6am on Monday, September 16. Following this, there will be two phases of overnight closures on the M2:
M2 westbound carriageway overnight closures between Junctions 7 and 5: Monday, September 16 for four nights, from 8pm to 6am each night.
M2 eastbound carriageway overnight closure between Junctions 5 and 7: Monday, September 23 for five nights, from 8pm to 6am each night.
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