Junction 1a Dartford Improvement works

As part of National Highways’ ongoing works to reduce congestion and improve safety at the A282 Littlebrook Interchange (Junction 1a) on the Dartford Crossing approach, significant improvements were delivered to enhance traffic flow and safety for thousands of commuters and freight users daily. The Dartford Crossing — one of the United Kingdom’s busiest river crossings — routinely accommodates traffic volumes that exceed its original design capacity, making targeted junction improvements at Littlebrook critical to network efficiency and road safety.

SRA Swift Trading’s Role: SRA Swift Trading supported the delivery of the Junction 1a improvement works as part of the Connect Plus / Connect Plus Services framework (M25 COFA 2), subcontracting through Milestone Infrastructure. SRA provided key site engineering support to ensure high-quality execution of setting-out, programme coordination, safety compliance, and delivery in a complex, high-traffic environment.

Project Details: Junction 1a Dartford; Kent

Duration: National Highways (Delivered via Connect Plus / Connect Plus Services)

Subcontractor Lead: Milestone Infrastructure

SRA Swift Trading Role: Site Engineer

Duration: August 2022 – December 2022

Project Gallery

Newly paved black asphalt road under construction, with construction fencing, equipment, and traffic cones.
A construction site with orange pipes and a hose on a pavement, surrounded by a temporary metal fence.
A parking lot with a makeshift chessboard made from thin, black string arranged in a 3x3 grid, with yellow parking lines and some greenery in the background.
A paved road transition to a parking lot with a traffic light in the distance. The road surface appears to be recently repaved or under construction.
A construction zone on a highway with orange traffic cones lining the road, a sign indicating road work, construction vehicles, and ongoing roadwork under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a railway track embedded in asphalt on a road, with a green construction barrier and trees in the background.
Close-up of a city sidewalk with a metal drainage grate and shadows from a glass railing or fence.
Empty highway lane closed off with orange and white traffic cones, under a clear blue sky with shadows and power lines in the background.
Road construction with orange traffic cones and parked vehicles, including a van and a white car, on a clear day with a blue sky.
Roadwork on a highway with orange cones, construction vehicles, and traffic.
View of a busy intersection with traffic lights and multiple vehicles, including trucks and cars, on a sunny day.
Construction workers in orange and yellow safety gear working on a sidewalk, with a trench dug along the edge and concrete barriers in the background.
Construction work on the road with orange traffic cones alongside the curb, exposing a trench with exposed pipes and dirt. Vehicles are driving past on the road.
Construction workers working on sidewalk curb installation at a roadside, with traffic cones and equipment nearby.
Construction site where workers are building a sidewalk with concrete curbing along a curved pathway, with construction barriers, safety cones, and equipment nearby.
Road construction site with orange barrier fence, orange pipe, construction vehicle, latex band, traffic cones, and a partially paved road next to a grassy area with bushes.
Construction site on a road with orange safety cones and barriers, and a curved sidewalk with bushes on the side.
Construction work on roadside with orange safety barriers and cones, a red car driving past, and a dug trench with orange hose and markings.
Road construction site with orange traffic cones, a white van, and ongoing utility work along the side of the road.
Construction site on a road with orange traffic cones and barriers, with vehicles in the background and construction materials on the side
Construction worker working on sidewalk irrigation system with pipes, traffic cones, and safety barriers on the road.
Road construction workers installing barriers and pipes on a highway with traffic cones and vehicles visible, under a partly cloudy sky.
Construction workers in safety gear working on a roadside project, installing underground pipes, with equipment and barriers around the site.

The Junction 1a Dartford improvement works represent a significant enhancement to a critical section of the A282 network. SRA Swift Trading’s engineering input – through meticulous setting-out, quality control, programme management, and compliant execution – played a key role in delivering improved capacity and safety outcomes. These changes support smoother journeys for commuters and freight movements through one of the UK’s most important transport corridors, contributing to long-term operational resilience and network performance.

Scope of Works

  • Managed site staff operatives and subcontractors, ensuring all parties worked in accordance with company policies and procedures.

  • Managed setting-out requirements on site in line with contract programme objectives and facilitated completion of the site Health & Safety file.

  • Prepared and monitored programmes of work to support efficient delivery of junction improvements.

  • Prepared and provided project documentation including PMP, RAMS, and communicated control measures and work methods to relevant personnel.

  • Ensured all work complied with quality, safety, and environmental policies, aligned with company procedures and statutory requirements.

  • Implemented quality control processes, including document control and Inspection & Test Plans, and monitored production of as-built quality records.

  • Liaised with the Employer/Designer to ensure construction information availability and raised Technical Queries (TQs) as required to maintain workflow continuity.

Safety and Compliance

Throughout the duration of works, SRA Swift Trading upheld stringent health, safety, and environmental protocols. The project was delivered on a live highway network where safety and risk mitigation were paramount, requiring coordination with National Highways and Connect Plus safety standards and working under lane closures and overnight shifts to minimise disruption.

Project Significance

  • Junction 1a at the A282 Littlebrook Interchange is a vital strategic connection on the Dartford Crossing approach, linking the A206 with the busiest orbital motorway in the UK – the M25. Improvements here directly support National Highways’ goals to reduce congestion and enhance safety for the tens of thousands of vehicles that pass this location daily. 

  • The works increased capacity at a key pinch point by adding an extra lane and a dedicated left turn for traffic towards the west tunnel, reducing queuing on critical movements. 

  • Additional safety-focused enhancements – including new signage, updated road markings, improved traffic light phasing, and a high-friction resurfacing around the junction – contributed to a more efficient and safer travelling experience. 

  • While widening the A206 carriageway, essential utility rerouting was undertaken to support the new layout and barrier installations, ensuring compliant infrastructure interfaces across utilities and highway assets. 

Environmental Considerations

SRA Swift Trading ensured that all activities complied with environmental policies and on-site environmental management plans. This included minimising environmental impact during utility rerouting and surfacing operations, and managing waste and materials in line with legislative and client requirements.

Technical Expertise

  • Effective site coordination and setting-out in a constrained, high-traffic area demanded precise alignment to design information and integration with ongoing live carriageway operations.

  • Strong programme and quality control management, ensuring work progressed in accordance with planned milestones and compliance frameworks.

  • Proactive communication and liaison with multidisciplinary stakeholders – including designers, site managers, subcontractors, and client representatives – to resolve technical issues and maintain workflow continuity.

  • Implementation of site-specific quality systems and document control processes, ensuring traceability and verification of as-built records and construction activities.

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