Disruptive Kent A299 coastal roadworks could end two months early

An extensive repair project on a busy coastal route may be finished two months earlier than scheduled. Works to repair the A299 Thanet Way near Whitstable commenced in April, causing considerable disruption to journeys in the area ever since.

Kent County Council’s (KCC) Highways department has undertaken efforts to resurface a significant portion of the coastbound carriageway which suffered from “poor ride quality” due to ground movement beneath the road. Works are underway to reconstruct the coastbound carriageway between the off-slip from the A299 to Whitstable and the on-slip from Whitstable to the A299.

For this project to be completed, a contraflow system has been installed on the A299 Thanet Way, causing some delays to travel. Under the original schedule, the project was due to be completed and all traffic management removed by Saturday, July 20.

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Now, KCC Highways has stated that the project is operating ahead of schedule and if weather conditions allow, the reconstructed stretch of the coastbound road will be fully re-opened by Saturday, June 1. Factors including the recent spell of good weather, improved logistics for materials to be taken away and delivered and the existing drainage being in a better condition than first anticipated, have contributed to the project's faster completion.

It has been confirmed that the total cost of the project, including preliminary surveys and testing, is £4.4 million. KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said: “The early completion of the extensive A299 works will be a welcome piece of good news for many people living, working and travelling through the area.

“Our work to reconstruct and resurface this stretch of road will mean the regular closures needed to reduce the road defects, which have caused the bumpy experience that plagued so many journeys, should be a thing of the past. I am grateful to everyone for their continued patience as we have worked at pace so we can continue to make sure the road surface is safe for the future, while helping to keep Kent moving.”

GW Highways’ Civil and Commercial Director, Neil Huntington, added: “With weather permitting we will be demobilising and handing back to the travelling public a new carriageway designed and installed for longevity. We can all be proud of delivering a safe fully sustainable solution within budget and eight weeks early. We would like to thank KCC for the opportunity to deliver this project alongside our trusted supply chain partners.”

Updated timeline

Monday, April 15 to Monday, May 27

The contraflow will be in place as reconstruction works on the A299 Thanet Way coastbound are completed. Drivers heading coast-bound will have two options when arriving at the contraflow.

Traffic wishing to exit at Whitstable will be able to continue in lane one on the eastbound carriageway where they will exit the Thanet Way as normal. Those looking to continue coast-bound past Whitstable will be guided into lane two, where road users will be moved into the contraflow system to continue their journey east but on the London-bound carriageway.

Traffic will return to the coast-bound carriageway side of the road shortly before the Chestfield Tunnel. London-bound traffic will be reduced to one lane while the contraflow is in place.

Those leaving Whitstable will still be able to rejoin the A299 in a coast-bound direction via lane one. Shortly before the Chestfield Tunnel, lane two traffic which has returned from the contraflow system onto the coast-bound carriageway will then merge with lane one traffic.

Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31

The A299 Thanet Way will be closed in both directions each night from 7pm to 7am to allow for the safe phased removal of the contraflow. A temporary 40mph speed limit will be in place 24 hours a day and lane closures may be required during the day. A signed diversion route will be installed for each direction of travel.

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