A249 ~ Bearsted Road Improvement Scheme
November 29th update
Dates are subject to change but the current programme is for works to begin in late 2019 albeit the initial works will mainly be offline so we would not expect the works on the Bearsted Road to begin until 2020 with a current end date of Autumn 2020. (KCC)
November 2019 update
In Maidstone Borough Council’s Borough Insights Autumn 2019 magazine the first page gives details of this scheme and includes the following ~
A contract for the scheme is out to tender and due to be awarded in the winter. It is anticipated that off-road works will start in early 2020
However the KCC website still summarises the scheme as follows ~
The proposed scheme aims to accommodate increased traffic volume by signalising the A249 Bearsted Road roundabout and enlarging the New Cut Road roundabout, whilst widening between the two. Additional smart technology will help ease congestion and improve traffic flow.
The current timescale, which is subject to change, is ~
• outline design – January to July 2018
• detailed design – August 2018 to April 2019
• procurement – April to July 2019
• contract award – July 2019
• project begins – late 2019
• project completion – autumn 2020
You may have received a flyer recently from KCC and/or visited the ‘Drop-in Briefing’ on 6th November at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel.
The link below takes you to further information about the roadworks planned for the A249/Bearsted Road area due to begin next summer and last for about 18 months. These works will therefore start before completion of the M20 Smart motorway works. We understand that diversions will not be used; much of the work will be done at night, and “people will be left to find their own way”.
The Proposal
The A249 Bearsted Road is busy and traffic numbers will continue to increase through general development growth. Therefore the objective is to increase the capacity of the road to improve traffic flow by providing increased junction capacity at either roundabout and widen the carriageway between the two junctions. The route is constrained in terms of available land but the outline design phase has assessed widening the carriageway within the highway boundary on the northern side of Bearsted Road to maximise the benefits of the scheme.
Unfortunately trees and vegetation will need to be removed to accommodate the junction enlargement and widening, however every effort will be made to re-plant where possible to ensure the scheme is sympathetic to its surroundings.
The Project Manager is Russell Boorman.
We understand that the current access to Notcutts will become pedestrianised, with a pedestrian/cycle route added along the north side of Bearsted Road, and a Pelican or Puffin Crossing from New Cut Road to cross Bearsted Road. The main access to that area will be via the existing road towards KIMS with a new left turn into Notcutts etc. before the existing right turn into the Cygnet hospital.
A campaign to publicise these works at least three months prior to the start will be carried out by KCC via local radio, the Kent Messenger, Downs Mail, notices at bus stops and also roadside signs.
Contact details are as follows and, if you drive through or near the area we would suggest that you register for email updates:-
