Highways England (HE) has completed the upgrade works on the A21 that connects Hastings and London, between Tonbridge and Pembury in Kent, UK.

International infrastructure group Balfour Beatty, which won a contract from HE in Jul 2014 to serve as its main contractor for the £69.7m upgrade of the A21, has now officially opened the project.

The upgrade works included construction of a dual carriageway between Tonbridge and Pembury in order to reduce traffic congestion, as well as improve safety and journey times of the commuters travelling on this road.

Highways England regional investment programme director David Haimes said: “This is another missing link in the country’s road network filled in.

"For decades, the single carriageway section of the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury has been a source of daily congestion, delaying drivers and frustrating business who depend on the road.

"HE has also built two new junctions and provided safer access to the A21 for homes and businesses."

“These A21 improvements are another great achievement for Highways England’s delivery of the first Road Investment Strategy, the biggest road investment for a generation.”

As part of the upgrade project, HE has also built two new junctions and provided safer access to the A21 for homes and businesses.

New facilities were also created for pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists.

Balfour Beatty A21 Tonbridge to Pembury project director George Pargeter said: “This has been a complex project which presented a number of challenges, however, our expertise and collaboration with Highways England has enabled us to successfully and safely deliver a high-quality, more streamlined route connecting Hastings and London.”