Highways Agency

Update

In December 2007 the A2/A282 Dartford Improvement Scheme was opened five months earlier than expected by local MP Howard Stoate. On a crisp morning he cut a ribbon to mark the addition of the new flyover to the other link roads already up and running around junction 2 of the M25.

With a significant proportion of traffic no longer needing to use junction 2 roundabout, work will now begin on upgrading it with new surfacing, kerbs, safety rails, signage and slip roads.

On the final day before the flyover opened, local residents and schoolchildren from Fleetdown Primary School met the mascot and representative of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, Ivor Goodsite, on the new flyover. They all made a final walk across the flyover, despite the cold weather, for some memories to tell future generations. The school is one of a dozen in the area that we visited during the scheme, and also took part in Noise Action Week at the Darenth site offices, in conjunction with Dartford Council.

The land under Littledale Viaduct is to be left as a gently rolling landscape as agreed with the Darenth Parish Council. With little direct sunlight and no direct water it is a harsh environment, where nothing will grow. The area will also be made secure with steel fencing. Facing Green Street Green Road both sides of the road will be banked with Kentish Ragstone to ensure a tidy, clean and easily maintained area and to give an improved visual impact on this approach to Darenth.

The Project

Work started on 2 September 2006 on a £120m major improvement scheme to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability on the A2/A282 at Dartford.

It includes new roads to link the northbound A282 and the eastbound A2, new lanes will be built on the A2 westbound for traffic joining the M25 going south, and a fourth lane will be added in each direction on the A2 between the M25 and Bean junction, a distance of approximately 2km.

Two new viaducts will also be built alongside Littledale Viaduct and a flyover over the A2 and M25 as well improvement to drainage and a reduction in noise pollution from using a low noise road surface. The project is expected to be completed in mid 2008.

Scheme Objectives and Benefits

• Improved journey time reliability and safety - The construction of the free flow link roads will remove about 40% of vehicles using M25 Junction 2, releasing additional capacity reducing congestion and improving journey time reliability and safety. Similar improvements will result from widening the A2.
• Reduced noise - A noise reducing surface will be used on all roads. Further noise reduction to residential properties will include mounding.
• Improved local environment - Landscaping proposals will include new hedges, dense forest and low screen planting and ground remodelling to integrate the new junction and roads into the existing landscape.

Traffic Management 

Changes to Lane Availablity and Speed Limit Changes

Please note that Phase 3 of the changes to lane availability on the A2 east of M25 junction 2 came into effect on 12 November 2007.  Details of this and other traffic management information can be found on the Traffic Management page.

Works Update

Traffic Layout Change

The new dedicated slip road from junction 2 roundabout to junction 1b was open to traffic from the week commencing Monday 5th August 2007. As a result the traffic layout changed and a new sign was erected at junction 2. More information and details of how the sign look are available on the Works Update page.

For details of the works scheduled to take place please use the "Works Update" link in the right hand navigation menu.

M25 Junction 1b - 3

To find out more about progress on the related M25 Junction 1b - 3 scheme please visit their scheme website.