UK-based Highways England has published the updated plans for a proposed £125m improvement works along the A2 in north Kent.

The plans include upgrade of the Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions by creating larger junction roundabouts with new lanes and enhanced slip roads to improve their capacity and increase road safety.

At Bean, a new bridge will be constructed over the A2 dual carriageway that will create two additional lanes between the junction roundabouts.

These roundabouts will also be improved with an extra slip road for eastbound traffic joining the A2.

In addition to enlarging the existing roundabouts, the Ebbsfleet junction works include widening the road between the roundabouts to a dual carriageway as well as the expansion of existing slip roads.

“At Bean, a new bridge will be constructed over the A2 dual carriageway that will create two additional lanes between the junction roundabouts.”

Highways England senior project manager Brian Gash said: “Bean and Ebbsfleet junctions serve Bluewater, Ebbsfleet International station and soon the new Garden City and these vital upgrades will help to make sure that the A2 stays fit for the future opportunities coming to Kent.

“Demand is expected to grow by up to 200% by 2027, so it is vital that the final proposals we end up taking forward for planning permission are the best we can possibly make them.”

An initial consultation period for the project ran between January and March last year, while the preferred options were announced in August.

The public can now provide their opinion on the updated plan, following which the formal planning application for the project will be devised.