A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements

Supporting economic development and housing growth in north Kent around the A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions.

Start date 2019-20

End date 2022-23

Cost £112m

Latest updates

02 August 2021
Weekend closure postponed (6-9 August)

Unfortunately, the company building the beams for the new Bean Lane bridge has gone into administration.

This means our planned weekend closure of the A2 and Bean bridge (Friday 6 to Monday 9 August) can no longer go ahead. We will still take the opportunity of carrying out other activities, but will require overnight closures only.

We are currently looking at options for installing these new bridge beams, and possibly reschedule the weekend closure during late August 2021. This is dependant on a number of factors including the availability of the diversion route, other work in the area and the supply timeframe of the beams.

We will confirm details and dates on the webpage, via the media and social media once they have been confirmed.

Upcoming closures (week commencing Monday 2 August)

The following overnight closures are taking place from Monday 2 August for four nights:
- A2 Bean London-bound exit and entry slip roads (9.30pm to 6am)
- A2 Bean coastbound closed between the exit and entry slip roads (8pm to 6am)
- A2 Ebbsfleet coastbound entry slip road (8pm to 6am)
- A2 Ebbsfleet London-bound exit slip road (8pm to 6am)
In addition, the A2 Ebbsfleet London-bound entry slip road will be closed overnight on Thursday 5 August (8pm to 6am).

Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the next available junctions.
29 April 2021
Latest newsletter now available

Work on the A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements scheme start in March 2020. By clicking here, you’ll find the next in a series of newsletters which we will produce throughout the scheme, providing you with updates on works undertaken and planned as well as how we are working with the local community.

Our newsletter gives you information about what has been happening as well as the upcoming construction programme which is as follows:

Spring 2021
- Work continues to install the new bridge supports at Bean and preparing the area for the new coast-bound on-slip.
- Work starts on the hard shoulder of the A2 coastbound carriageway.
- Construction of the foundations for a new overhead electronic sign which will display messages for road users and monitor traffic flows.
Summer 2021
- Installation of the new bridge beams at Bean, which will be completed in Autumn.
- Construction of the new bridge deck following the beam installation.
- Installation of the new overhead electronic sign supports.
- General works will continue at Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions.
Autumn 2021
- The new bridge at Bean will be completed and open to traffic by the end of November 2021.
- Works will continue at Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions.
Winter 2021
- Final stages of construction at Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions.
Spring 2022
- The improvements to both junctions will be opened for traffic.
If you require a printed version of our newsletter please let us know by emailing the scheme inbox A2BeanandEbbsfleetJunctionsImprovements@highwaysengland.co.uk or calling our Customer Contact Centre on 0300 12 35 000.

All newsletters will also appear in the 'Newsletters' section below.

Change to traffic management on Bean Lane bridge

We have amended the traffic management on the Bean Lane bridge, over the A2. All vehicles under 2 metres will be able to travel along the bridge in both directions, however any vehicle over that width will need to follow a short diversion via the A2 to the next junction and back.
11 December 2020

Work begins on Bean bridge abutments

A number of significant developments are taking place this month:

A2 central reservation works

We're coming to the end of our works in the A2 central reservation. We've completed the installation of the central support for the new bridge and the concrete barrier along the centre of the carriageway. Resurfacing works are due to start during December so we can start works in the verge of the coastbound carriageway.

A2 London-bound verge works – Bean bridge south abutment

Work has begun on the south abutment for the new bridge across the A2 at Bean. This has required us to close one lane on to the A2. The abutment is a key element of the scheme’s construction programme and we're aiming to complete its installation as soon as possible. We'll continue to work closely with local stakeholders, residents and businesses to maintain minimal disruption to road users.

Coast-bound verge works – Bean bridge north abutment

The north abutment is currently under way, alongside earthworks, where we're levelling out the ground.
16 July 2020

Works to start on Bean bridge foundations

The installation of the new drainage in the central reservation will continue until the end of July. We will then break out the existing concrete to accommodate the implementation of the concrete barrier. From early August 2020 we will start to lay the foundations at Bean bridge.

There is a planned full carriageway closure to remove the existing gantry near Bean junction. This will take place overnight on Saturday 8 August from 8pm to 8am on Sunday 9 August. There will be a fully signed diversion route in place which will add approximately 10 minutes to road user journeys.

We will continue to keep all our stakeholders, customers and residents up to date with more details on the scheme as we proceed with construction over the coming months.

If you would like to subscribe to a newsletter which we will be producing to keep you informed about the project during construction, please email us at A2BeanandEbbsfleetJunctionsImprovements@highwaysengland.co.uk and we will add your email address to our database. These newsletters will also be added to our webpage.
02 June 2020

Scheme gets government go ahead

We've received notification from the Secretary of State for Transport that the A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements scheme can proceed to construction. The Inspector’s report into the October 2019 public inquiry has been published and the Secretary of State for Transport has issued his decision into the Scheme proposals by way of a Decision Letter and accompanying Annex. The Decision Letter, Annex and Inspectors Report can be viewed in the “Decision Letter and Inspectors Report” section in the documents area below.

Copies of the annotated confirmed, with modifications, Side Roads Order, Compulsory Purchase Order and annotated made, with modifications, Slip Roads and Roundabout Order and the relevant Notices are now available to view in the Confirmed and Made Orders section in the documents area below.

Following publication of the Compulsory Purchase Order Confirmation Notice on 25 June 2020, we have now begun the process of compulsory acquisition of the land required to construct the scheme. The process is being undertaken through General Vesting Declaration (GVD) which will transfer the ownership of land required to Highways England.

We continue to carry out work in the central reservation of the A2 to remove the barrier and break out concrete to facilitate new drainage. We are also installing our new work compound which is located at Pepperhill and have been preparing both the access and car park for surfacing so they are fit for purpose.

We undertake work in both day and night shifts to ensure safety to all and minimal disruption to our road users. Where night-time work is required, we set up lane closures for the safety of both our workforce and the travelling public.

See more updates

Project information

At the Bean junction we'll make the roundabout to the north of the A2 significantly bigger, and controlled by traffic lights. The roundabout to the south of the A2 will also be made bigger while generally keeping the existing layout. There will be a new bridge over the A2 to provide extra capacity, located to the east of the existing Bean Lane bridge. This existing bridge will then be used for northbound traffic, and a new slip road constructed onto the A2 for eastbound traffic.

For Ebbsfleet junction the proposals will broadly follow the existing road layout with enlarged roundabouts controlled by traffic lights. The road between the roundabouts will be widened to a dual carriageway. The slip roads from the A2 will be retained and the slip roads to the A2 widened.

The improvements will support economic development, including jobs and housing growth as well as increase road capacity to support future growth. Journey times at both junctions will improve with increased capacity for all road users as well as better safety.

Statutory Consultation 2018

Consultation 2017

Highways England published the Orders for the A2 Bean and Ebbsfleet junction improvements scheme under the Highways Act 1980 on 14 February 2019 and submitted both the Side Roads Order and Compulsory Purchase Order to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation. The associated Section 10 Line Order was published in draft by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Following objections to the Scheme proposals, a public inquiry was held in October 2019 where an independent planning inspector heard evidence from Highways England and interested parties. The Inspectors Report (dated 6 January 2020) was completed and issued to the Secretary of State.

The initial published Orders, Environmental Statement and other supporting documentation, along with the Highways England Statement of Case and proposed modifications in connection with the October 2019 public inquiry can still be viewed within the documents area below.

If you have difficulty accessing any of the documents please contact us and we will try to supply you directly with an electronic copy.

Secretary of State Decision Letter

The Secretary of State, on 27 May 2020, confirmed with modifications both the Side Roads Order and Compulsory Purchase Order and made with modifications the Slip Roads and Roundabout Order. He subsequently issued a Decision Letter (dated 2 June 2020) with accompanying Annex to Highways England and those parties represented at the Public Inquiry.

Confirmed and Made Orders

Following issue of the Secretary of State Decision Letter and accompanying Annex as identified above, Highways England has prepared copies of the confirmed, with modifications, Side Roads Order, Compulsory Purchase Order and a copy of the made, with modifications, Slip Roads and Roundabout Order.

The Secretary of State has been unable to issue the official copies of the confirmed and made Orders and accompanying Maps due to COVID-19 restrictions currently in place. Therefore in the interim, an annotated version of the confirmed, with modifications, Side Roads Order and Compulsory Purchase Order and an annotated version of the made, with modifications, Slip Roads and Roundabout Order. The three Orders (marked in red, in line with the modifications put forward at the public inquiry and further changes included in the Decision Letter and Annex) have been prepared by Highways England to allow continuation of the Statutory Processes.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the need for social distancing, it is not possible for Highways England to deposit a physical copy of the annotated version of the Orders at a document viewing location. However they can be viewed electronically below:

The Compulsory Purchase Order Confirmation Notice is due for formal publication on 25 June 2020. This will be the start of the 6 weeks High Court Challenge period for the Compulsory Purchase Order.

General Vesting Declarations

Following publication of the Compulsory Purchase Order Confirmation Notice on 25 June 2020, we have now begun the process of compulsory acquisition of the land required to construct the scheme. The process is being undertaken through General Vesting Declaration (GVD) which will transfer the ownership of land required to Highways England.

The relevant GVD’s and their accompanying plans and copies of the Notice of Making and relevant Notices of Making for Unknown Ownership land are available to view under ‘General Vesting Declarations’ in the documents section of this page.