Every journey on or off the Isle of Sheppey by road crosses the Swale, and there are two ways to do it. Knowing the difference helps when you're planning a trip.
The Sheppey Crossing (A249)
The Sheppey Crossing is the high-level road bridge that carries the A249 between Sheppey and the mainland near Iwade. It opened in 2006 and is the main route for almost all traffic, including our taxis. It connects straight to the A249 towards the M2 and M20.
The Kingsferry Bridge
The Kingsferry Bridge is the older, lower crossing, carrying both a road and the Sheerness railway line. It's a lifting bridge, so it can open for shipping on the Swale.
Why it matters for your journey
- Because nearly everything uses the Sheppey Crossing, an incident there affects journeys across the island.
- If the main crossing is affected, traffic is diverted, so journeys can take longer.
- For early flights and appointments, we keep an eye on the crossing and allow extra time when needed.
See when the Sheppey Crossing closes for what to do, or book a local taxi.
