SC 19009 - A249 Bearstead Road Maidstone Major Infrastructure Improvements

The A249 forms a strategic link between the M2 and M20 motorways with Maidstone. The corridor is used by commuters to access Maidstone for employment and in the peak hours, this places considerable pressure on the A249, and the M20 J7, restricting access into the town centre. It is recognised that delivering capacity improvements will ease existing congestion and support growth, and the use of technology to provide services into vehicles will help to smooth traffic flow, reducing crashes and enabling drivers to make better informed decisions.

The scheme proposes to significantly upgrade two junctions and widen the link between them on the Local Road Network close to M20 Junction 7 in Maidstone and install Smart Technology on the A249 Bearsted Road, a local strategic link into Maidstone. Capacity and traffic flow will be improved so that the increased traffic volume from the Kent Medical Campus Enterprise Zone can be accommodated. This is a key employment site for the county and will create 3,000 highly skilled jobs, including specialised research and development - an area key to boosting productivity. The scheme has been designed to also cater for housing growth in the town of 1500 homes and will support the redevelopment of the adjacent Newnham Court Shopping Village. The scheme will also include the enhancement and part signalisation to the M20 J7, which is fully funded by developer contributions.

The A249 Bearsted Road Maidstone Major Infrastructure Project involves.

• The construction of two new roundabouts on the Bearsted Road;
• Signalisation of both roundabouts on the A249;
• Widening of the existing carriageway between the roundabouts;
• Provision of a new access road and service road to Newnham Court shopping village;
• Complex statutory undertaker diversionary works;
• Pedestrian linkage along Newcut Road within the existing verge;
• The construction of a 'ragstone' retaining wall; and,
• Significant associated landscaping upon scheme completion.

More information on this project can be found HERE