Crucial motorway used by 90,000 per day to close for a WEEK of roadworks – check full diversion routes
DRIVERS have been warned that a crucial motorway is closed for a week of overnight roadworks.
The M2 motorway, which runs for 26 miles between Strood, just west of Rochester, to Faversham in Kent and averages around 90,000 vehicles a day, has been closed since Monday, January 20, with works continuing until Friday, January 24.
The closures are between Junctions 5, for Stockbury, Sheppey and Sittingbourne, and Junction 6, near Faversham, with carriageways closed each night between 8pm and 6am – with both directions impacted on different days.
According to Kent Live, these closures come as part of ongoing bridge works, with multiple roads near the motorway also set to be closed across January and February.
The M2 isn’t the only major route out of action either, as roadworks are planned on the M20 throughout the week as well.
This includes various slip roads and stretches of the motorway itself with multiple projects, including bridge repairs and barrier works, to take place over the next two months.
What’s more, closures continue on the A249 near Sittingbourne for the Grovehurst Road junction improvement works.
Overnight works are also planned on the A2, A21, A249 and at the Dartford Crossing throughout the coming days.
M2 and M20 closures this week
M2:
- Tuesday: Eastbound closure between Junction 5 and Junction 6 from 8 pm to 6 am for bridge works.
- Wednesday: Westbound closure from Junction 6 to Junction 5 between 8 pm and 6 am for bridge works.
- Thursday: Westbound closure from Junction 6 to Junction 5 between 8 pm and 6 am for bridge works. Eastbound Junction 4 exit slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for structural works.
Friday: Westbound closure from Junction 6 to Junction 5 between 8 pm and 6 am for bridge works. Eastbound Junction 4 exit slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for structural works. Eastbound Junction 5 entry slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for inspections.
Sunday: Eastbound Junction 2 exit slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for inspections. Eastbound Junction 6 entry slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for maintenance.
M20:
- Tuesday: Eastbound Junction 5 entry slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for survey works.
- Wednesday: Eastbound Junction 6 entry slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for survey works. Eastbound closure between Junction 13 and the A260 from 8 pm to 6 am for maintenance. Eastbound Junction 8 exit slip closed between 9 pm and 6 am for maintenance.
- Thursday: Eastbound Junction 6 entry slip closed from 8 pm to 6 am for survey works. Eastbound closure between Junction 13 and the A260 from 8 pm to 6 am for maintenance. Also, note the Forstal Road Bridge over the M20 will have overnight closures from 8 pm to 6 am starting on this date.
- Friday: Westbound Junction 6 entry and exit slips closed from 8 pm to 6 am for survey works. The Forstal Road Bridge overnight closures continue.
- Saturday: The Forstal Road Bridge will be fully closed this weekend (starting Friday evening).
- Sunday: Eastbound Junction 7 exit slip closed between 9 pm and 6 am for repairs. The Forstal Road Bridge remains fully closed.
This comes as we reported on the M602 near Eccles, Greater Manchester, yesterday, which will undergo overnight “essential” barrier repairs throughout late January and into February.
The 4-mile-long motorway links the M60 ring road to Salford, bypassing the town of Eccles.
Highways North West said the works are being carried out to replace sections of the safety barrier for both the central reservation and along the roadside in both directions.
Running from January 21 to February 12, the works will run overnight from Monday to Friday, from 9pm to 5am between junctions two and three.
Works will also occasionally take place on Saturdays, running two hours longer until 7am on weekends.
Elsewhere, Ford has closed over 50 retail sections of their dealerships across the UK in a huge shake-up to “better align with evolving needs”.
The best-selling brand confirmed all but three of the UK dealerships have retained their authorised repairer status – meaning they’ve only lost their retail arms.
Just over four years ago, the firm revealed its plans to reduce its network of sales outlets.
Back in 2020, the 395 car dealers were located across the nation.
Hoping to halve these within five years, Ford was set to reduce this number to around 210.