Tag Archives: driving

M2 Westbound Carriageway Closure: junctions 7 to 5 closed all weekend

From 8pm on Friday 1st July 2022 until 6am Monday 4th July 2022, Highways England will be closing the M2 Westbound between junction 7 to junction 5 due to bridge repairs. The diversion route will be via eastbound A2, westbound A20, M20, A249. The same closure will also be in place again from 8pm on Friday 15 July until 6am on Monday 18 July.

If you are travelling to our Canterbury campus for the open day on Saturday 2nd July or during these dates, please plan your journey before leaving to ensure that you are not effected by any disruptions.

Planning your Journey: during adverse weather

As the weather is beginning to get colder, it is important that you understand what to do during adverse weather. The Transport Team’s Travel During Adverse Weather page has been updated with relevant information to ensure you know what to do if adverse weather occurs.

The team have also created a Top tips to help you plan your journey in advance of travelling in snow, ice, high winds and torrential rain to ensure you are always prepared for travel disruption and are winter ready. In addition, the Transport Team’s Planning your Journey pages are updated regularly with useful journey planning tools and advice to assist you. Remember the weather can change at any time, you should be prepared for this before you start your journey.

Where possible the Transport Team will endeavour to keep the @unikent_travel twitter feed updated with all transport information and any travel disruptions on or around our campuses.

Driving: 

Ensure that you and your vehicle are prepared for driving in adverse weather conditions. Read some top tips to prepare for driving during the winter and don’t forget to plan your journey before you leave so you are aware of any disruptions.

Public transport, cycling and walking:

  • Plan your journey, check if there are problems on public transport or local roads
  • Delay your journey, if possible, to allow temperatures to rise and ice or snow to melt
  • Avoid footways in the shade. It takes longer for ice or snow to melt in the shade
  • Always wear appropriate footwear and reflective/bright clothing
  • Ensure that you have a torch or lights so motorists and others can see you when walking or cycling. Think Be Bright Be Seen.

Other Useful Links:

A2 Road Closure extended

A2 weekend road closures extended, November 2021

Due to extended repairs and works having to be delayed because of other roadworks occurring in the area, National Highways are continuing to carry out repair works on the A2 between Canterbury & M2 junction 7 (Brenley Corner roundabout, Faversham).

We highly recommend the driver plans their journey before leaving home.

For drivers travelling on the M2 we have provided recommendation of a route below for the driver to consider. Please note this recommendation was written for advice at the time of publication.

Weekend commencing 19 & 26 November (Open Day)

The A2 will be closed eastbound towards Canterbury. The information below is our recommended route for drivers travelling to our Canterbury campus.

National Highways signed diversion will be via A299 all the way to St Nicholas roundabout then A28 into Canterbury. As this route is a longer diversion for those travelling by car to the Canterbury campus, we recommend the following route:

  1. M2 continue on road past junction 7, where the road changes to the A299.
  2. A299 take the exit for Whitstable A2990 and follow signs towards the A290 (Canterbury)
  3. A290 follow the road for approx. 4 miles, turn left into University Road
  4. Once on campus look for the yellow Open Day parking signs and follow these to the car park.

View our recommended route on Google Maps.

Note: The A2 is open travelling towards London

Weekend commencing 5 November

The A2 will be closed westbound from Canterbury to Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout.

We recommend drivers leaving our Canterbury campus consider:

  • Turning right out of campus, following the signs to Whitstable using the A290 then join the Thanet Way A299 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards Challock and use the A251 back to the M2 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards into Ashford and join the M20.

Note: The A2 is open travelling towards Canterbury but will direct you into the City. 

Useful Links:

Kent County Council road closure

National Highways Travel Updates

University Planning your Journey Advice

 

Travel Safe and Be Seen

It is that time of year when the clocks go back (31st October), meaning the days are shorter and the nights are longer. It is now more likely you will be travelling during non-daylight hours.

Watch the films below and count how many people you can see at the beginning of each film and at the end of each film.

Who did you see first and why?

Whichever mode of transport you decide to use there are things you can do to make sure other road users can see you. This can range from wearing something that is bright and reflective, ensuring your vehicle is clean, your lights are working or simply using your torch.

Find more advice on our travel safety page.

 

wheel stop

Installation of wheel stops to Sports Centre Road

It had been noticed that the cars parking in Sports Centre Road were sometimes overhanging the footpath, restricting its width, especially where the path narrows around the tree outside of the Jennison building.

To try to help prevent this wheel stops made from 100% recycled rubber have been installed in 4 of the parking bays nearest to the tree.

If the wheel stops prove successful in keeping the footpath clear, especially for wheelchair users, we would like to extend the installation to the remaining bays on the Jennison side of the road.

We would be grateful to receive any feedback on this trial. Any comments can be sent to s.thomson@kent.ac.uk

Highway Code Updates image

Changes to the Highway Code 2021

The rules in the Highway code are being updated for 2021 to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. There will be further changes made to the Code between September 2021 and February 2022.

It is vital to stay up to date with the Highway Code and it is easy to keep updated online:

  • GOV.UK provides a list of the latest Highway Code updates and let’s you see what has been amended. It also allows you to search for key words and phrases within The Highway Code,quickly move between related rules, follow links to the original laws that the rules are based on and print sections.
  • You can also sign up for email alerts and be notified whenever the Highway Code is being updated.
  • Follow @HighwayCodeGB on Twitter or Facebook for news of any updates and regular road safety reminders.
  • There is also the Official Highway Code app.
A2 road closure banner image

Section of A2 near Canterbury will be closed all weekend, for eight weeks running

From 3rd September, Highways England are closing the road known as the A2 between Canterbury and Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout from 7pm Friday to 5am Monday for 8 weekends in a row.

Ensure you plan your journey before leaving to travel to the University of Kent, Canterbury campus. During this time for those driving around the city, there is likely to be a slight increase in local traffic as vehicles join the diversions from either the Wincheap or Bridge Interchange junctions.

Friday 3rd September to 13th September, including KMMS students arrivals

A2 road will be closed from Brenley Corner roundabout, Faversham to Canterbury.

We recommend drivers visiting or arriving at the Canterbury campus consider exiting the A299 at Whitstable B2205/ Canterbury A290 junction and follow signs towards Canterbury until they have reached University Road.

The Kent County Council official signed diversion is via A299 to St Nicholas roundabout then use A28 into Canterbury, via Sturry. We advise lorries to use this route.

From 17 September for 5 weekends, including Arrivals weekend and Open day events

A2 road will be closed from Canterbury to Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout.

We recommend drivers leaving Canterbury campus consider:

  • To turn right out of campus following the signs to Whitstable using the A290 then join the Thanet Way A299 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards Challock and use the A251 back to the M2 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards into Ashford and join the M20.

Student Arrivals – If travelling by car, please inform your driver to plan for this road closure. The A2 will be open on your way to campus but local roads may be busy. When leaving the campus the A2 exiting Canterbury towards the M2 will be closed.

UPDATE: 22 September 2021

We have been informed that there are road closures into Canterbury and out of Canterbury when using the A2 over the next 4 weeks. Please see our updated guidance below.

Travelling into Canterbury

The A2 slip road that is sign posted Canterbury/Harbledown will be closed.

We recommend to use the A299 and A290:

  • to continue on the M2 past junction 7, following signs for the A299 (Margate/Ramsgate).
  • Exit the A299 at the Blean/Seasalter/Chestfield junction.
  • Then follow the signs directing you to Blean onto the A290. This road leads directly to the University campus (approximately 4 miles).

If you are using the A2 towards Dover follow the official diversion signs to continue along the A2 to the A2050 Bridge interchange then follow the New Dover Road back into Canterbury.

Travelling from Canterbury to London or Faversham/Thanet

A2 road will be closed from Canterbury to Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout. We recommend drivers leaving Canterbury campus consider:

  • To turn right out of campus following the signs to Whitstable using the A290 then join the Thanet Way A299 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards Challock and use the A251 back to the M2 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards into Ashford and join the M20
  • If travelling to Thanet to use the official Highways diversion signs from Canterbury.

If travelling by car, please inform your driver to plan for this road closure. The A2 will be open on your way to campus but local roads may be busy. When leaving the campus the A2 exiting Canterbury towards the M2 will be closed.

Useful links:
Kent County Council road closure

Highways England Travel Updates

University Planning your Journey Advice