A21 safety package

Highways England has committed to deliver a suite of safety improvements along the A21 route corridor from Sevenoaks to Hastings. We have brought forward this package of works in recognition of the safety improvements they will make to the travelling public and local communities.

Start date December 2020

End date December 2024

Cost Estimated £20m

Latest updates

07 July 2021
Progress update - July 2021

Over the last few months, we’ve been busy gathering information to help shape our plans to improve safety on the A21. Information gathering is key when planning any scheme, and allows us to get a full picture of where improvements are needed. So far, we’ve:
- reviewed 10 years’ worth of safety data for the route
- started to look at signage and road markings to identify locations where these could be improved, for example at junctions or near schools
- started a review of the speed limits along the route, considering if they match the conditions for each section of the road
Our work is being split into sections, and you can find more information about each section below.

We’re also continuing with our usual maintenance and repairs of the road. More information about this work can be found on our South East maintenance schemes page.
09 April 2021

What we're doing this spring

Since starting the project, we have reviewed 10 years-worth of safety data for the A21. This has helped us refine our proposals so there’s a tangible safety benefit for road users.

We’re looking at where best to put signs and we’re analysing how different road markings could increase safety. Our work on signs includes signs for junctions, schools, villages and hazards.

We’ve also started a review of speed limits along the route to see if those currently in place match the characteristic of the road and if they are encouraging positive driver behaviours.
04 December 2020

Preparation for the A21 Safety Package scheme begins

Highways England is considering a number of measures to improve safety along the A21.

Details of specific sites and interventions that are under consideration in our preliminary design stage on the A21 can be found in these documents:

Link 1 – M25 to Tonbridge
Link 2 – Tonbridge to Lamberhurst
Link 3 - Lamberhurst to Hurst Green
Link 4 – Hurst Green to Hastings

See more updates

Project information

The A21 has, for many years, suffered from a significant level of collisions.

We are bringing forward a series of schemes to improve safety along this corridor, which will include, amongst others:

junction improvements
improvements to road alignment and visibility
changes to speed limits
improved signing, markings and road studs

This work is to improve safety and won't improve capacity along the A21. We'll be looking at that as part of our 'route strategy' work which is due to start shortly.

Improving safety along the A21 - reducing the number, severity and frequency of incidents for the travelling public and local communities

Improving the customer experience of the A21

Reducing journey time delays as a result of a reduction in incidents

A21/A25 junction improvements

Our safety data shows there has been several incidents at the junction of the A21 and A25. We’ll be improving the signage and visibility at this junction during 2021.

Sevenoaks Bypass laybys

There has been a cluster of incidents relating to vehicles exiting laybys on the A21 Sevenoaks Bypass. We are looking at the layout of the laybys to see if these can be changed, and reduce the risk of collisions. This review in ongoing, and we’re aiming to have a design ready in late 2021, with any changes being made in 2022.

Road markings and signage

We’ll be improving road markings and signage along the A21 to ensure it is consistent along the route. This includes:

improving the information, visibility and positioning of signs
removing signs that are no longer needed and replacing any that are old or damaged
reducing the amount of sign clutter at the roadside
improving the visibility, condition and type of road markings

These improvements are due to start in 2022.

Road markings and signage

We’ll be improving road markings and signage along the A21 to ensure it is consistent along the route. This includes:

improving the information, visibility and positioning of signs
removing signs that are no longer needed and replacing any that are old or damaged
reducing the amount of sign clutter at the roadside
improving the visibility, condition and type of road markings

These improvements are due to start in 2022.

Scotney Castle to north of Flimwell

We’re continuing to gather and review information for the A21 between Scotney Castle and north of Flimwell to understand more about the incidents that occur. This will then allow us to look at possible improvements.

Ashdene garages

There have been several incidents linked to vehicles going to and leaving the service stations at Ashdene. We’re looking at how we can improve the visibility, signage and road markings to make this area safer for all road users. This review in ongoing, and we’re aiming to have a design ready in late 2021, with any changes being made in 2022.

A21 / A229 Coopers Corner junction

We’re continuing to gather and review information relating to the A21 / A229 Cooper Corner junction to help us understand more about incidents that occur here.

Road markings and signage

We’ll be improving road markings and signage along the A21 to ensure it is consistent along the route. This includes:

improving the information, visibility and positioning of signs
removing signs that are no longer needed and replacing any that are old or damaged
reducing the amount of sign clutter at the roadside
improving the visibility, condition and type of road markings

These improvements are due to start in 2022.

A21 Moat Lane junction

We’re continuing to gather and review information relating to the A21 Moat Lane junction to help us understand more about incidents that occur here.

A21 Marley Lane junction

We’re continuing to gather and review information relating to the A21 Marley Lane junction to help us understand more about incidents that occur here.

A21 Hurst Green, Vinehall, Whatlington and Kent Street

We’re looking at how we can improve safety and accessibility of pedestrian routes through the villages of Vinehall, Whatlington and Hurst Green and along Kent Street.

A21 / B2244 Tolgate Road junction

We’re continuing to gather and review information relating to the A21 / B2244 Tolgate Road junction to help us understand more about incidents that occur here. As part of this, we’re reviewing the pedestrian routes around the junction to identify any possible improvements.

A21 / B2089 & B2090 junctions

There have been several incidents at the junctions of the A21 and the B2089 and B2090. We’ll be making improvements to both junctions to reduce the risk of collisions. These improvements will change how you access the B2089 and B2090 from the A21. Design for these improvements is underway and we’re planning to start work in late 2021.

Road markings and signage

We’ll be improving road markings and signage along the A21 to ensure it is consistent along the route. This includes:

improving the information, visibility and positioning of signs
removing signs that are no longer needed and replacing any that are old or damaged
reducing the amount of sign clutter at the roadside
improving the visibility, condition and type of road markings

These improvements are due to start in 2022.

Alongside the safety package project, we’re also continuing with our usual maintenance and repairs of the road. More information, along with other work we’re completing on our network, can be found on our South East maintenance schemes page.

Castle Hill

We’re continuing to investigate the flooding issues at Castle Hill to help identify possible improvements.

A review is also taking place of the temporary barrier that is in place alongside the shared footpath and cycleway. We’ll be looking at designing and installing a permanent solution in late 2021.

Filmwell

We’ll be replacing the chevron signs on the road at Filmwell.

Sevenoaks Bypass

We’ll be resurfacing both sides of the Sevenoaks Bypass in autumn 2021. More information will be available here soon.

Hurst Green

We’ll be replacing the street lights at Hurst Green to improve visibility.