Bean Interchange

This junction was built in 1972 when the Second Dartford By-Pass opened. It was originally a ¾ diamond with the old A2 (now numbered A296) forming the fourth slip road. The junction was built primarily for the chalk pits that were in operation at that time. These closed in 1991 and the junction was quieter for a time. However, in 1999 Bluewater opened and the junction was rebuilt. The London-bound sliproads was moved and the old on-slip grassed over. The layout on this side became a parclo. The B255 was dualled with the old road left to gain access for the A296. The B255 also had a flyover built over the A296. However, the coast-bound slip road remained on the A296. When the A2 was rebuilt to D4M standard, the road underneath remained D3M, thus removing the need to build a replacement of the 1972 bridge. The junction is now one of the busiest on the A2.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
A2	Bexleyheath, London
A2	Canterbury, Dover
B255	Bluewater, Greenhithe
B255	Bean
A296	Dartford
LTC	Tilbury, Southend (A13)	Lower Thames Crossing option B

Strip Maps

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  The Bean Interchange as it was in 1972.

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  The Bean Interchange as it was in 1999.

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  The Bean Interchange as it is now.

Links

National Highways

• Bean and Ebbsfleet Junction Improvements Consultation Summary  January 2017 (archive.org)

legislation.gov.uk

• The A2 Trunk Road (Bean and Ebbsfleet Junction Improvements) (Slip Roads and Roundabouts) Order 2020 - This Order provides that 5 new slip roads and 1 modified roundabout to connect the A2 Trunk Road to the B255 Bean North and B255 Bean South Roundabouts and Ebbsfleet East Roundabout shall become trunk roads from the date on which this Order comes into force