M2 junction 5 - our work in the local community

We want to make a positive difference for communities living near our roads, especially where we’re carrying out works. Here are some of the ways we've supported local communities around our M2 junction 5 improvement scheme.

Tree planting and allotments in Hartlip

We were delighted when Hartlip Parish Council asked us to support a tree planting scheme to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

We chose English Oaks for their character and longevity. We planted the trees on parkland in Lower Hartlip, which now forms part of Hartlip’s conservation area.

We were pleased to be invited back to Hartlip to help grow the size of local allotments. Located next to the village hall, an unused area had become overgrown and unmanageable. Our team cleared the plot and also laid a new footpath. The local community is now growing produce on the land.

volunteers planting trees at Hartlip — Planting trees at Hartlip

Dandelion Time, Maidstone

Dandelion Time is a Maidstone based charity that works with Kent children who experience serious behavioural and emotional difficulties as a result of trauma.

We spent a day at Dandelion Time carrying out garden maintenance. Our work included planting, weeding, bramble clearing and mucking out the donkey stables.

We also donated 10 tonnes of aggregate to the charity. It will be used as the base for new woodland toilets and improved pathways.

Lorry unloading aggregate — Our donation of aggregate arrives at Dandelion Time

Stockbury Christmas lights

We donated new Christmas lights to Stockbury in 2023.

Following the donation, Chris Porter from the Harrow said:

“Stockbury village had some really pretty lights in a tree on the village green, in front of The Harrow, which came on at night. Unfortunately the lights failed three years ago and we could not replace them.

"I was contacted by the project team who kindly offered to pay for replacement lights, which are now in place and looking really good. Many thanks on behalf of all in the village.”

Christmas lights on Stockbury village green — The new Christmas lights illuminating Stockbury village green

Charity fundraising and donations

Demelza Hospice

For Christmas 2023, we raised a collection for children’s toys to donate to Demelza Hospice for Children in Sittingbourne. Each year the charity collects thousands of pounds worth of toys for children at the hospice experiencing life limiting conditions.

We also helped Demelza Hospice organize its Care for Children easter egg hunt at Doddington Place Gardens. Our volunteers helped marshal the carpark, finding a place for visitors and participants.

Some of the toys donated to Demelza Hospice — Our team with some of the toys donated to Demelza Hospice

Macmillan coffee morning

We supported Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning with our own 'Bake-off' competition and cake sale, raising £413 for the charity.

Trussell Trust food bank

More people are turning to foodbanks for help with essentials. We have regular on-site collections support the local Trussell Trust Food Bank in Sittingbourne.

New Leaf Support

For international Women’s Day we supported local woman’s charity New Leaf Support. The charity supports victims and their children suffering from domestic abuse. Our team raised £220.

Cakes on sale to support Macmillan Cancer Support — Cakes on sale to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support

Site tours

Tours give us a great opportunity to explain the scheme and the work we're doing.

We've welcomed everyone from MPs to local residents and Royal Engineers to Councillors onto site.

Student Royal Engineers inspect roadworks — Student Royal Engineers inspect one of the new structures we have built

Community meetings

We’re regularly asked to attend meetings in the local community. We’re always happy to talk about the scheme and progress and to answer people's questions.

We’ve been welcomed by resident groups including:

Maidstone Road
Bredgar
Borden
Kemsley and Stockbury

We've also visited business groups including The Portcullis Business Club.

Our team meet with Kent Active Retirement Fellowship — Our team meet with members of Kent Active Retirement Fellowship

Careers fairs and STEM events

We’ve worked with local schools, universities and careers services to inspire the next generation of engineers.

So far, we’ve attended events at:

Westlands School and Fulstone Manor School in Sittingbourne
Howard School in Gillingham
Lenham School and Maplesden Noakes School in Maidstone
the University of Greenwich Medway Campus.

Two of our female site engineers also visited the Maidstone Brownies They demonstrated how to build self-supporting structures with just marshmallows and spaghetti. The Brownies worked together to try and build the tallest tower.

We were very pleased to help the girls on their way to their "Think Like an Engineer" badge.

Considerate Constructor scheme

We once again been rated outstanding by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).

CCS is an independent organisation that promotes and supports construction sites in their efforts to care for:

the environment
local community
their workforce.

An independent assessor visits the site every six months. Following the latest visit in October 2023, the project was again awarded the top mark of 45/45.

Following the last visit, the assessor commented:

“I would like to thank the project team for the continued excellent work they are portraying of the construction industry, and for the excellent engagement they continue to employ to understand the impacts that the works have on the community, and how they can minimise this as much as possible.”

Newington Parish Council community pavilion

Our scheme is not only improving journeys for road users. We’ve helped visitors to the community pavilion in Newington.

Following a request for help from Newington Parish Council, we laid a new pathway and access ramp.

These improvements help make their village pavilion more accessible for everyone.