Overnight Closures Start on M2 Bridge

17 March 2010, 11:33 | Updated: 18 March 2010, 10:11

Sections of the M2 Medway Bridge are going to be closing overnight so maintenance work can be carried out.

The Highways Agency will be carrying out inspections on the bridge between Junctions 1 and 3 until the end of May.

Work will take place on the coast-bound carriageway first, and then move to the London-bound carriageway.

The closures will happen each night between 9pm and 5am to try and keep disruption for drivers to a minimum.

Bala Vishnabala, Structures Project Manager for the Highways Agency said:

“This inspection work is essential for the ongoing maintenance of the M2 Medway Bridge. If it is well maintained then unplanned delays affecting user’s journeys will be kept at low levels.

“Most of the inspection work is being carried out overnight to keep delays for drivers to a minimum.”

Coastbound - 15 March to 23 April

Monday 15 March to Saturday 27 March
There will be overnight closures of two of the three lanes of the coastbound M2 between junction 1 and junction 2 with a temporary 50mph speed limit in place.

Monday 12 April to Thursday 15 April
There will be an overnight closure of the coastbound M2 junction 2 entry slip road. Drivers from the A228 wishing to enter the M2 at junction 2 will be diverted onto the London-bound carriageway to junction 1 then onto the A289 Wainscott by-pass.  Drivers will then be diverted off at the first junction (A226) to take the third exit and travel back southbound on the A289 Wainscott by-pass to be diverted off at the first junction signed for the M2 to continue their journey.

Friday 16 April to Friday 23 April
There will be an overnight closure of two of the three lanes of the coastbound M2 between junction 1 and junction 2 with a temporary 50mph speed limit.

London-bound 26 April to 26 May

Monday 26 April to Friday 30 April
There will be an overnight closure of the hardshoulder of the London-bound M2 between junction 3 and junction 2.  There will also be a closure of the London-bound exit slip road at junction 2 of the M2.

During this time traffic will be diverted past junction 2 to junction 1 then onto the A289 Wainscott by-pass. Drivers will then be diverted off at the first junction (A226) to take the third exit and travel back southbound on the A289 Wainscott by-pass and then be diverted off at the first junction signed for the M2 to continue their journey.

On the same dates there will be an overnight closure of London-bound M2 at junction 3 entry slip road.  During this time traffic will be diverted from junction 3 interchange onto the coastbound M2 to continue to exit at Junction 4 of the M2 (A278). Drivers will take the 3rd exit of the roundabout back onto the London-bound carriageway of the M2 and continue with their journey.

Saturday 1 May.
There will be an overnight two lane closure of the London-bound M2 between junction 3 and junction 2 with a temporary 50mph speed limit in place.

Tuesday 4 May to Thursday 6 May
For a single night between these dates, there will be a closure of the three main lanes of the London-bound M2 from the Medway Bridge towards junction 2.   Traffic will run in the hardshoulder until the London-bound exit slip at junction 2, where the carriageway will be fully closed.  At this point traffic will exit at junction 2 to the interchange where it will take the second exit back onto the London-bound M2 to continue with its journey.

Thursday 6 May to Wednesday 26 May
There will be a 24/7 lane three closure on the London-bound M2 between junction 3 and junction 2 with a temporary 50mph speed limit in place and the hardshoulder used as a running lane.