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A roads in Zone 2 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
A roads in Zone 2 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
A roads in Zone 2 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
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The George Inn - a Grade II‑listed, former 15th‑century coaching house on the A227 Wrotham Road in Meopham, Kent
Chatham Town Hall, situated on The Brook, Chatham part of the A231.

The numbering zones for A-roads in Great Britain

List of A roads in zone 2 in Great Britain starting south of the River Thames and east of the A3 (roads beginning with 2).

Single- and double-digit roads

[edit]
Road From To Notes
A2 A3 at The Borough, Central London A20 at Dover The section between Three Crutches (east of Gravesend) and Brenley Corner (near Faversham) has mostly been replaced by the M2 Motorway for long-distance traffic
A20 A2 at New Cross, South East London A2 at Dover
A21 A20 at Lewisham, South East London Hastings The section from Badgers Mount (south east of Croydon) to Chipstead (north west of Sevenoaks) has mostly been replaced by the M25 Motorway to complete the belt around London.
A22 A23 at Purley A2280 & A2290 at Eastbourne
A23 A203 at County Hall, Central London A259 at Brighton Formerly included part of Westminster Bridge Road (now part of A302).
A24 A3 at Clapham A259 at Worthing
A25 A20 at Wrotham Heath, Sevenoaks, Borough Green A3 at Guildford
A26 A20 at Maidstone A259 at Newhaven
A27 A259 at Pevensey A36 at Whiteparish
A28 A254 at Margate A21 at Baldslow
A29 A24 at Capel B2259 & B2166 at Bognor Regis

Triple-digit roads

[edit]
Road From To Notes
A200 London Bridge Greenwich
A201 King's Cross, Central London Bricklayers Arms, Central London Part of the London Inner Ring Road
A202 Victoria Station, Central London New Cross Gate, South East London Part of the London Inner Ring Road where it crosses the Thames at Vauxhall Bridge.
A203 Vauxhall Brixton
A204 Brixton Tulse Hill
A205 Woolwich Chiswick London's South Circular Road. The section from Woolwich to Clapham is former A208, A212, A2212, B226, A2216 and B228. The western end was originally at Holland Park, this section (former B308, A3206, B310, B315 and B407) was renumbered to A3220 in the late 1950s and the A205 was rerouted to Chiswick along former A3, A305, B356, A307 and A315 to form a continuous North and South Circular Road.
A206 Greenwich Greenhithe
A207 Charlton Dartford The section of the A207 east of Welling Way is the former A2 before it was bypassed to the south.
A208 Eltham Orpington
A209 Plumstead Falconwood
A210 Eltham Blendon
A211 Eltham Ruxley
A212 Catford Forestdale
A213 Sydenham Broad Green
A214 Wandsworth West Wickham
A215 Elephant and Castle Shirley
A216 Streatham Mitcham
A217 Fulham Horley
A218 Wandsworth South Wimbledon
A219 Harlesden South Wimbledon
A220 Erith Bexleyheath
A221 Bexleyheath Albany Park
A222 Croydon Old Bexley
A223 Foots Cray Crayford
A224 Foots Cray Sevenoaks Previously terminated at a junction with the then A21 at Badgers Mount, south of Orpington; extended to Sevenoaks along the route of the old A21 and A2028.
A225 Dartford Sevenoaks
A226 Crayford Rochester, Gravesend
A227 Gravesend Shipbourne, Tonbridge
A228 Tunbridge Wells Lower Stoke Maidstone
A229 Rochester Hurst Green Originally followed what is now the B2097 in Chatham. Originally ended in Baldslow. Truncated to Sedlescombe when the A21 was rerouted, and rerouted to its current route in the 1990s; the old route is now the B2244.
A230 Horsted Chatham A230 in Sussex is not listed so may have been superseded by the A275
A231 Chatham Chatham
A232 Ewell Orpington
A233 Bromley Common Westerham
A234 Crystal Palace Beckenham
A235 Purley Thornton Heath Pond In two sections north and south of Croydon town centre, the middle part having formed the main shopping street of Croydon (North End), which is now pedestrianised.
A236 South Croydon Mitcham
A237 Mitcham Common Coulsdon
A238 Kingston upon Thames Colliers Wood The section between Lower Downs Road and Raynes Park Railway Station has a designated cycle lane
A239 Morden Park Mitcham Common Originally assigned to the Kingston upon Thames bypass but when construction began, this became the A3 instead, while the old route of the A3 became the A3063 (A239 was not used as it was out of zone); the southern section is now part of the A309. The current road was assigned as an upgrade to the B273, B274 and B275.
A240 Burgh Heath Kingston upon Thames
A241 Unused Was a road between Epsom and Banstead; downgraded to an extension of the B284 by 1985.
A242 Reigate Merstham
A243 Leatherhead Surbiton
A244 Leatherhead Hounslow
A245 Leatherhead Horsell
A246 Leatherhead Guildford
A247 Woking Clandon Park
A248 Shere Peasmarsh
A249 Maidstone Sheerness
A250 Sheerness Queenborough
A251 Faversham Ashford
A252 Charing Chilham
A253 Sarre Ramsgate
A254 Margate Ramsgate Inland route via Westwood
A255 Margate Ramsgate via Broadstairs
A256 Whitfield St Peter's
A257 Canterbury Sandwich
A258 Dover Sandwich
A259 Folkestone Emsworth Runs along the southern coastline for over 40 miles.
A260 Barham Folkestone
A261 Lympne Hythe
A262 Tenterden Lamberhurst
A263 Unused Was a road between Pembury and Royal Tunbridge Wells (now A228 (from old A21), A264, and Calverley Road).
A264 Tunbridge Wells Horsham
A265 Hurst Green Heathfield Significant portion is now B2102 and B2192 from Heathfield to Ringmer. Until the 1990s, continued to what is now the B2244 (then part of the A229) in Hawkhurst via what is now part of the A229.
A266 Unused Was a road between Frant and Hurst Green. Downgraded to the B2099 between 1968 and 1972.
A267 Tunbridge Wells Lower Dicker
A268 Flimwell Rye Previously allocated to a road in Cross In Hand from A265 (now B2102) to A267. This became a spur of the A267 when the current A268 was created, and is now a spur of the B2102. For a short time continued west to the then A266 in Ticehurst. Originally followed what is now the B2088 in Four Oaks.
A269 Bexhill Ninfield
A270 Southwick Coldean Lewes Road. Formerly part of the A27 before a bypass was constructed around Brighton in the early 1990s. Original alignment went from Sidley Green to Glyne Gap, and was renumbered the A2036 to discourage through traffic.
A271 Hailsham Battle
A272 Heathfield Chilcomb The road now takes a different route around Haywards Heath and not through the town as before (the old road is now the B2272). Original westerly end was at Stockbridge; this section became the B3049 when the road was rerouted along the middle section of the B3420. Originally followed what is now the B2102 to the then-A265 (now the B2192) in Blackboys; swapped routes when the A265 was downgraded west of the A267.
A273 Haywards Heath Pyecombe Previously allocated to a road between Ringmer and Golden Cross (now the B2124). The road number was reused on the current route (an upgrade of part of the B2028 and B2036, though was later rerouted around Burgess Hill) around the same time.
A274 Maidstone Biddenden Previously allocated to a road between Lewes and Pevensey (now part of the A27).
A275 Forest Row Lewes Original southernmost end was at Newhaven; the road was truncated to Lewes when the A26 was extended to Newhaven; this is now the B2193 and unclassified Kingston Road, Piddinghoe Road, and Lewes Road. The road originally followed what is now the A2029 into Lewes.
A276 Unused Originally proposed on Worthing to Newhaven; this became part of the A259 (and the B2109 from Newhaven to Eastbourne became the B259, but two years later became the A259) right before the numbering was finalized in 1922, and the number was instead used on the road from the A275 in to the A26 in Lewes that day. That road became part of the rerouted A275 after 1960, while the old route of the A275 became part of an extended A2029.
A277 Lewes Lewes Town Road, connecting the A26 and the A27; formerly part of the A27. The original alignment went from Brighton to Portslade-by-Sea (became part of extended B2066 and B2194).
A278 Rainham Bredhurst Previously allocated to a road between Felbridge and Horsham (now part of the A264).
A279 Unused Ran from the A281 south of Lower Beeding to Handcross. A spur (former A280) to the A281 was added in 1935. The A279 used to end at the A23 (now B2114) at the southern end of Handcross, but when Handcross High Street was bypassed, the A279 was extended along the old A23 to the bypass. Downgraded to an extension of the B2110 between 1993 and 1996, while the spur became part of an extended B2115.
A280 Findon Angmering Originally allocated to a road from A281 to A279 (now part of the B2110) in Lower Beeding; this became a spur of the A279 (now part of the B2115) in 1935 when the current A280 was created as an upgrade of part of the B2140.
A281 Guildford Pyecombe Near Cranleigh the road used to head south on what is now the B2130, Stovolds Hill, a now-destroyed road, and Dunsfold Road to Alford, where it rejoined the modern route. The road was rerouted with the construction of Dunsfold Aerodrome during World War II. Previously followed Old Guildford Road in Broadbridge Heath, and West Street and East Street in Horsham.
A282 Darenth Thurrock Part of the London Orbital (M25). Previously allocated to a road between Broadbridge Heath and Five Oaks (now part of the A264).
A283 Milford Shoreham-by-Sea
A284 Houghton Littlehampton
A285 Petworth Chichester May have been previously used in Charing from the A20 to the A252, but it was likely a typo as the number was already in use. Now part of the A252.
A286 Milford Birdham
A287 Hook Haslemere
A288 Southsea Portsmouth
A289 Strood Gillingham
A290 Canterbury Whitstable
A291 Sturry Herne Bay
A292 Ashford M20 at Willesborough, Kent Previously allocated to Magazine Road in Ashford as an upgrade of the B2072. Later became part of the A28 (either as a spur or mainline), but is now unclassified. May have been used in Charing between the A20 and the A252 along the possible former A285 (also a typo), but was likely a typo for the A252.
A293 Portslade Bypass and A27 junction. Portslade
A294 Unused Ran between Chichester and Bognor Regis as an upgrade of the B2143. Renumbered as an extension of the A259 as part of the 1935 renumbering.
A295 Hailsham Amberstone, East Sussex Previously allocated to a road between Dartford and Oxleas Wood (now A2 and Rochester Avenue; the old route of the A2 was partially declassified and the rest became part of the A207).
A296 Dartford Bean interchange, near Bluewater Former route of the A2. Originally allocated to Watling Street from the A226 to the A2 (now the current A296). Extended east over the old route of the A2 in 1972 and rerouted along the current route in 1978.
A297 Morden Hall Park, Merton Rose Hill Previously continued into Sutton and Belmont to meet the A217. Downgraded to B2230.
A298 New Malden East of Raynes Park
A299 Brenley Corner, near Faversham Ramsgate

Four-digit roads

[edit]
Road From To Notes
A2000 Crayford Slade Green
A2001 Chislehurst Road, Sidcup High Street, Sidcup
A2002 Deptford Blackheath Ran from A25 northeast to A217 in Reigate; this became part of the A25/A217 one way system when the Reigate Tunnel section was pedestrianised.
A2003 Dorking North Holmwood Previously allocated to Mongers Lane in Ewell.
A2004 Crawley A23 at Crawley Previously allocated to Waterden Road from A246 to A322 in Guildford (now a spur of the A246).
A2005 Ran from the A28 through the centre of Canterbury to the A28. Was originally planned to be assigned to the bypass, while the A28 was planned to go though the centre, but this was flipped when it was found that the bypass was more widely used.
A2006 Ran from A253 (now High Street) to A255 (now King Street) in Ramsgate. Now part of the A255 due to pedestrianization in the center of Ramsgate.
A2007 Ran from the then-A2 to the then-A259 in Dover via Priory Road. Renumbered A256 when Biggin Street was pedestrianized, but may have been a spur far earlier.
A2008 Ran along Scanlons Bridge Road in Hythe, linking the A259 to the A261. Now part of the A259 one-way system, but it remains two-way to allow traffic to head west without going around the loop.
A2009 Ran from A262 to A28 in High Halden, forming the third side of a triangle between the A262 and the A28. Became part of a rerouted A262, although the A2009 may have been a spur of the A262 before this.
A2010 Seven Dials, Brighton West Street, Brighton
A2011 M23 J10 A23 at Crawley The original one ran from the A3 south to Clarence Pier in Portsmouth (became part of the A288), and after this, ran from Ditton to Bearsted via Aylesford (now Station Road, Forstal Road, Sandling Lane, and Bearsted Road).
A2012 Reserved Reserved in April 2004 for the Thames Gateway Crossing.

First used from A223 (now declassified High Street) to A224 in Orpington (now part of the A232) and then Leatherhead to Fetcham (now B2122). It also may have been used near Hook connecting the A30 to the A32 as a replacement of a section of the A287, but this was probably a typo for the A3062. It became the A287 again in 1935.

A2013 The original one ran along London Road, High Street, and White Post Hill through Farmingham along an old routing of the A20, and after this, ran from A284 to A259 (now B2187) in Littlehampton; this became part of the A259 in the 1980s when the bypass opened.
A2014 A21 near Tonbridge A26 near Tonbridge Previously allocated to Bull Lane, High Street, and Old London Road in Wrotham until the M20 was constructed and the westernmost portion destroyed.
A2015 Catford Beckenham
A2016 Plumstead Erith Previously allocated to Fraser Road from A206 (now Pembroke Road) to A206 (now Walnut Tree Road) in Erith; this became part of the A206 while the road was reassigned to the old route of the A206 (now Pembroke Road, Jessett Close, West Street, and Walnot Tree Road).
A2017 Strood Strood North Street; signed as a spur of the A228
A2018 Bexley Dartford
A2019 Unused
A2020 Ran along the old A20 through Maidstone; created in 1961 when the section of the M20 between what is now J5 and J8 opened as the A20(M), but was renumbered in 1977 to its original designation of A20 when the M20 was extended. There was an earlier A2020, but its location is unknown.
A2021 Willingdon Eastbourne
A2022 West Wickham Epsom Previously allocated to a road from Kingsfold to A29; this became a spur of the A29, and is now the unclassified Marches Road.
A2023 Hove West Blatchington
A2024 Ran from Crockerhill to Climping as an upgrade of the B2144. The road was split in two by Tangmere Airfield during WWII, and was never replaced. The western half later became the B2144 again, while the eastern section was rerouted to link up with the A27 near Crockerhill. What remained of the route was downgraded to Class II status as the B2233 in the 1970s.
A2025 South Lancing North Lancing From junction with A259, north to junction with A27 at Lancing Manor Roundabout.
A2026 Thames Road, Dartford Home Gardens, Dartford Previously allocated to Kingston Road and High Street in Ewell, with spurs on London Road and Cheam Road.
A2027 Ran from A271 at Boreham Street to A269 (now B2204) west of Battle as an upgrade of the B2097. Downgraded in the 1980s to the B2204, but was upgraded again in the 1990s to the A271 (the B2204 moved to the former A269).
A2028 Ran along former A21 from the A21 (now B2211) to Sevenoaks; the southbound side followed the former A21 and the northbound side followed the former B2211. Renumbered as an extension of the A224 after the M25 was built. There was an earlier A2028, but its location is unknown.
A2029 A275 near Lewes A26 near Lewes Originally a short link in Lewes; later extended northwest replacing part of the A275.
A2030 Bedhampton Southsea
A2031 Offington Lane, Worthing Teville Road, Worthing
A2032 West Worthing East Worthing
A2033 A259 at Folkestone A260 at Folkestone
A2034 M20 near Channel Tunnel Folkestone
A2035 Ran from A2 via High Street (the old route of the A2) in Chatham to the A2; this became part of a then-new one-way system on the A2, except for one pedestrianized portion, but when the one-way system on the A2 was eliminated, the route was declassified except for the eastern end that is part of an A2 gyratory. Route may be classified as the C460.
A2036 North of Bexhill East of Bexhill
A2037 Henfield Upper Beeding
A2038 Brighton Brighton
A2039 Ran along Park Hill Road from the A232 to the A212 in Croydon. Now part of the B243, although it is still signed as A2039 at both ends.

Number also appears on a Tourist Information sign in Canterbury, referring to the route that runs from the A2 to the A290. This route is actually the A2050; the A2039 number has been found nowhere else, suggesting that it is a typo.

A2040 Eastbourne Eastbourne The Avenue, Eastbourne Town Cntre
A2041 Thamesmead Abbey Wood
A2042 Ashford Kennington
A2043 Cheam Norbiton
A2044 Reigate Salfords
A2045 Ran from M2 motorway J3 near Walderslade to Lordswood. Declassified by 2011.
A2046 Ran from the A3 to the A288 in Portsmouth as an upgrade of the B2153. Now part of the A2030.
A2047 Hilsea Portsmouth
A2048 - A2049 Unused
A2050 Harbledown Bridge Link road to/from A2 (Dover Road) and Canterbury city center. Briefly becomes part of A28 after Rheims Way and until New Dover Road.
A2051 Unused
A2052 Unused Ran from Charlton to Millennium Dome. Declassified by 2009.
A2053 - A2055 Unused
A2056 Listed in the DfT Roads List as starting in Greenwich. Route unknown.
A2057 - A2065 Unused
A2066 Reserved Reserved for Tonbridge. Route unknown.
A2067 Reserved Reserved for Tonbridge. Route unknown.
A2068 Reserved Reserved for Tonbridge. Route unknown.
A2069 Unused
A2070 Kennington Brenzett
A2071 Listed in DfT Roads List as a road in Portsmouth. Route unknown.
A2072 Unused
A2073 Ran from A27 (now A270) to A23 in Brighton; was a portion of the A27 before it was extended along the A26. Later became a spur of the A27, but when the A27 was rerouted along the northern bypass it was renumbered as the A270, making the route a spur of the A270.
A2074 - A2078 Unused
A2079 Number given to the section of former B2164 (now A2070) from M20 J10 to the A28 outside Ashford. The number appeared in two separate pages of the 1999 edition of the Philip's East Kent street atlas. It is not known if this was a typo or a copyright trap, but the number was officially never used.
A2080 - A2098 Unused
A2099 Reserved Reserved for Kingsdowne Road (current A3210), Kingston upon Thames, even though it is out of zone.
A2100 Johns Cross Hastings, between Ashdown and Conquest
A2101 Silverhill Hastings town centre Short link road
A2102 Bohemia, Hastings St Leonards-on-Sea Short link road
A2103 - A2197 Unused
A2198 The Borough Tower Bridge Long Lane
A2199 Herne Hill Crystal Palace In the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark: Croxted Road, South Croxted Road; in the London Borough of Southwark: Dulwich Wood Park, College Road
A2200 Ran along Queen Elizabeth Street from the A100 to the A200. Now just a portion of the A100/A200 junction.
A2201 Ran as a road from A200 and A101 in Rotherhithe Tunnel to the Rotherhithe Street bridge in Surrey Quays. Now part of a rerouted B205.
A2202 Ran from A200 in Surrey Quays to Norway Gate (Lady Dock entrance). Now part of a rerouted B205.
A2203 A206 Blackwall Tunnel Blackwall Lane
A2204 Woolwich Woolwich Ferry Unsigned short access road from Woolwich Ferry to the South Circular Road
A2205 Tower Bridge Road Tooley Street, near London Bridge station Bermondsey Street
A2206 Rotherhithe Tower Bridge Road
A2207 Ran along Abbey Street and Druid Street from A200 in South London to Crucifix Lane (Abbey Street portion became part of the B202, a portion replaced by A200 one-way service, and the rest was declassified). Originally followed Thurland Road and Spa Road from Old Jamaica Road to the A2206; the route was relocated when the A200 was rerouted off of Old Jamaica Road.
A2208 Old Kent Road Surrey Quays
A2209 Deptford Deptford Bridge Deptford Church Street
A2210 Deptford Lewisham
A2211 Greenwich Lewisham
A2212 Lee Green Bromley Previously allocated to Lewis Grove in Lewisham from A20 to A21. This became a spur of the A21 when the number was reused on the current route, an upgrade of the southern end of the B212.
A2213 Blackheath Eltham
A2214 Brixton New Cross
A2215 Peckham Peckham Rye
A2216 Sydenham Denmark Hill
A2217 Clapham Common Camberwell
A2218 Sydenham Bell Green, Sydenham
A2219 Crawley Crawley
A2220 Copthorne Crawley
A2221 - A2259 Unused
A2260 Southfleet Northfleet
A2261 - A2269 Unused
A2270 Polegate Eastbourne
A2271 - A2279 Unused
A2280 Eastbourne Eastbourne Cross levels Way from Kings Drive to Lottbridge Drove and A22 junction for Golden Jubilee Way.
A2281 - A2289 Unused
A2290 Eastbourne Eastbourne Short link road
A2291 - A2299 Unused
A2300 Burgess Hill Hickstead
A2310 Unused Shown on some maps from Brompton, Kent to Medway Tunnel, but is either a typo or a copyright trap. Other maps (including the OS maps) show the route as unclassified and the route is unsigned. Medway Council officially lists the route as the C372.
A2311 - A2399 Unused
A2400 Unused Former routing of A24 south of Horsham. Much of route now B2237 except the section in central Horsham which is now unclassified.
A2401 - A2499 Unused
A2500 Cowstead Farm Eastchurch
A2501 - A2589 Unused
A2590 Reserved Reserved, probably for the former A259 in Bexhill when bypass is complete.
A2600 - A2689 Unused
A2690 Bexhill Hastings Created 2015.
A2691 Bexhill Bexhill Created 2019.
A2700 Reserved Ran along Titmore Lane linking the A27/A280 grade separated junction to the A259 roundabout with the A2032. The number was reserved when the new grade separated junction was built as Titmore Lane was proposed to be improved to support new housing development, and would be numbered A2700 when works were completed. However these works never took place due to local opposition. The route remains signed at the A27/A280 junction, but is signed as "(A27)" at the A259/A2032 junction. West Sussex Council sometimes uses the number to refer to the road in documentation, or otherwise claim the road is part of the C37.
A2701 - A2989 Unused
A2990 Yorkletts Herne Bay Former route of the A299 which now bypasses Whitstable to the south.
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A roads in Zone 2 of the Great Britain numbering scheme

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Zone 2 A roads in the numbering scheme comprise the primary Class I roads whose numbers begin with the digit 2, forming a key segment of the national trunk road network that radiates outward from toward the southeast coast. These roads are bounded by the River Thames to the north, the to the west, and extend eastward across , , and , facilitating major connections between the capital and ports, towns, and rural areas in this densely populated region. Established as part of the hub-and-spoke zoning , they emphasize radial routes of arterial importance, with numbering reflecting proximity to and overall strategic significance. The zoning system originated in a 1921 Ministry of Transport memorandum, formalized in the 1922 road classification lists published on 1 April 1923, which divided into six zones (later expanded to nine including ) to standardize identification and funding for road maintenance. In Zone 2, this scheme allocated lower two- or three-digit numbers to high-importance radials, such as those linking to , while higher numbers denoted spurs and cross-links; Class I roads like these qualified for up to 50% central government grants for upkeep. Over time, the system has endured with minimal changes, though some Zone 2 routes have been partially superseded by motorways (e.g., sections of the M20 paralleling the A20), preserving the A roads' role in local and regional connectivity. Among the most notable Zone 2 A roads are the A20, running from through to and Dover as a vital link to and ferry ports; the A21, connecting to via and Battle, serving historic and tourist areas; the A23, from to , a busy corridor supporting commuter and ; and the A27, tracing the south coast from (starting in Zone 3) to and eastward, providing essential coastal access despite bypasses and upgrades. Other significant routes include the A22 ( to ), A24 ( to ), A25 (a cross-zone link from to ), and A26 ( to Newhaven), which collectively handle heavy volumes of freight, tourism, and daily travel while navigating the region's mix of urban sprawl, countryside, and environmental constraints like the .

Overview of the Numbering Scheme

Zone 2 Boundaries and Coverage

Zone 2 in the Great Britain A road numbering scheme encompasses the southeastern region of , primarily covering areas south of the River Thames and east of the A3 trunk road. This zone includes the counties of , , , and , along with portions of south of the Thames. The boundary with Zone 1 to the north is defined by the rather than the A2, ensuring that all roads in are assigned numbers beginning with 2, avoiding the isolation of a narrow strip of Zone 1 territory. The scheme's radial and orbital patterns are evident in Zone 2, where primary routes radiate outward from toward the south-east coast, facilitating connectivity to key ports and coastal areas. For instance, two-digit A roads in this zone, such as those in the A20–A29 series, are arranged in a sequence as spokes emanating from the capital. Orbital elements interact with the M25 London Orbital Motorway, which forms a partial southern and western limit, influencing the distribution of secondary roads within the zone. A textual representation of the Zone 2 map highlights its compact, wedge-shaped coverage: starting from the in the northeast, the zone extends southwest along the corridor before curving southward around the M25 toward the coast, excluding areas west of the (which fall into Zone 3) and north of the Thames (assigned to Zone 1). This delineation aligns with the broader nine-zone system established in for , , and , where zones are bounded by principal A1–A9 roads.

Principles of A Road Numbering in Zone 2

In Zone 2 of the Great Britain road numbering scheme, A roads are classified as either trunk roads or principal roads, with a particular emphasis on primary routes connecting inland areas to coastal destinations such as Dover and Brighton. Trunk roads form part of the strategic road network managed by National Highways as of 2021, providing high-capacity links for long-distance traffic, while principal roads are A roads designated as part of the primary route network (PRN) to ensure connectivity between key destinations with identifiable signage. This classification prioritizes routes in Zone 2 that facilitate access to southeastern ports and coastal regions, reflecting the area's strategic importance for trade and travel. The numbering of A roads in Zone 2 follows rules established in the 1922 scheme, where digit length indicates the road's hierarchy and function within the zone radiating southeast from . Single- and double-digit numbers, such as A2 or A21, are reserved for major radial routes serving as primary arteries from the capital, while triple-digit numbers (e.g., A228) denote local distributors connecting secondary towns and facilities within the zone. Four-digit numbers (e.g., A2041) are assigned to short spurs or minor links, often limited to avoid overlap and ensure navigational clarity. These lengths are allocated clockwise within the zone to maintain a logical progression from the hub. Primary status for these roads is designated by the , which also permits concurrency with motorways; the A2, for example, is paralleled by sections of the to optimize on the London-to-Dover corridor.

Current Roads by Digit Length

Single- and Double-Digit Roads

The single- and double-digit A roads in Zone 2 represent the primary radial routes emanating from towards the southeast coast of , providing essential connectivity for freight, , and commuter traffic to key ports and urban centers. Most of these 11 roads are designated as part of the Primary Route Network (PRN), following the radial numbering principle from the 1922 scheme, with lower numbers indicating higher strategic importance and direct links to like Dover and . Collectively, they span over 900 km, serving as the foundational network for Zone 2's transport infrastructure and integrating with motorways such as the , M20, and M25 for national links. The following table summarizes the key attributes of these roads, including their origins, destinations, approximate lengths, major junctions, and current status as trunk or primary routes managed by or local authorities.
RoadOriginDestinationLength (approx.)Key JunctionsCurrent Status
A2 (Southwark)Dover116 kmM25 (Dartford), (), M20 (near Ashford), Blue Bell Hill interchangeMajor trunk road sections; with ongoing improvements for port access.
A20 ()120 kmM25 (), M20 ( to Dover services), Lenham interchangeTrunk road throughout ; parallel to M20 for traffic.
A21 ()93 kmM25 (), bypass, Pembury interchange (M25 spur)Primary route with dualling completed in 2017 ( to ); ongoing safety enhancements in the 2020s near .
A22 (Purley)78 kmM25 (), , Primary distributor; mix of single and , with rural sections upgraded for safety.
A23 ()85 kmM23 (), Handcross, seafrontTrunk road to ; critical for urban , handling high volumes to the city center and handling over 50,000 vehicles daily near .
A24 ()86 kmM25 (), , FindonPrimary route; in parts, with bypasses at and to alleviate coastal congestion.
A25Rochester74 km, , , Non-trunk east-west connector; following , linking and without major motorway ties. Partly primary.
A26 (, via A2)Newhaven79 kmM25 (near ), , , Primary route through and ; trunk sections near ports, with recent safety enhancements at .
A27Portsdown (near )110 kmM27 (), , , Arundel bypass, interchangeMajor coastal trunk road; features multiple bypasses (e.g., , ) to manage and freight traffic, with dualling proposals ongoing for resilience.
A28Rochester94 km (Rochester), , Thanet Way (A299 link)Trunk road in ; sections, vital for and access, with improvements at interchange.
A29Stoke-by-Nayland (near , but primary in Zone 2 from Capel)Seaford55 kmA24 (Capel), Billingshurst, , A27 (near ), FindonPrimary in ; follows Roman Stane Street, with upgrades at for local connectivity. Partly primary.
These roads are predominantly trunk roads under the PRN, ensuring green signage and priority for strategic , though management devolved to local authorities post-2012 for non-SRN sections. The A23 plays a pivotal role in Brighton's , channeling inbound to the center and supporting events like the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, while facing challenges from . Similarly, the A27's coastal alignment necessitates frequent bypasses to mitigate bottlenecks at towns like and , enhancing reliability for south coast travel. Recent enhancements, such as the A21's safety package advancing through the , underscore ongoing investments to modernize these vital arteries.

Triple-Digit Roads

Triple-digit A roads in Zone 2 of the numbering scheme, designated A200 through A299, consist of numerous routes that function predominantly as local connectors and urban distributors across . These roads link suburban districts, coastal towns, and rural areas south of the River Thames and east of the A3, supporting regional travel while intersecting major radials such as the A2 and A21. Many serve as vital suburban and rural links, with several impacted by the M25 motorway's construction, which diverted long-distance traffic and enhanced their role in local networks. Notable examples include orbital and coastal routes that bypass congested urban centers, and some have undergone post-2020 safety enhancements, such as signal upgrades and realignments along corridors like the A21. The following table catalogs key triple-digit A roads in Zone 2, including start and end points, approximate lengths where available, and notable features such as orbital functions, historical alignments, or recent updates. This selection highlights representative routes; the full set encompasses additional short links and spurs primarily in , , and .
RoadStart/End PointsLength (approx.)Notable Features
A200 to Greenwich4 milesFollows the south bank of the Thames, connecting to Greenwich; urban distributor with historical ties to docklands trade.
A201King's Cross to Bricklayers Arms3 milesInner route via Farringdon and & ; serves as a key urban link for southbound traffic from central areas.
A205 to 25 milesSouth Circular Road, an incomplete orbital avoiding ; features multiple multiplexes with local roads and ongoing realignment proposals in for safety (post-2020 TfL updates). Noted for heavy suburban traffic relief from the North Circular (A406).
A207 to 7.5 milesFollows the Roman alignment from Charlton to area; straight rural-urban connector impacted by developments.
A209 to 2 milesShort suburban link via Wickham Lane; connects to , with residential focus.
A212 to Addington8 milesLinks Sydenham to via ; urban route with hill climbs and proximity to .
A228Tunbridge Wells to 18 milesConnects towns (, Rochester, Chatham) via Frindsbury and Hoo Peninsula; includes bypasses and level crossing improvements for safety; post-2020 enhancements include active travel redesigns in Frindsbury.
A249 to 15 milesCoastal route through the Swale; features the (built 1963, with 2024 cable repairs) and serves as a key link for ; multiplexes with A250 near . Recent bridge repairs have improved flow to .
A256Dover to /20 milesCoastal route from Dover via Sandwich to ; non-primary sections serve as scenic connectors between Thanet and Dover ports; includes old A2 alignments and post-2020 corridor studies for A28/A256 improvements.
A299Brenley Corner (near ) to 22 milesThanet Way, a major dual-carriageway linking the to ; bypasses and includes 2024 reconstruction for ride quality, completed ahead of schedule; actively used despite historical route changes near .
These roads often feature multiplexes with B roads in urban areas and have been adapted for modern needs, such as the A21 corridor's safety package (including former A21(M) sections integrated post-2000s, with ongoing 2020s widening near ). For instance, the A228's Medway links facilitate industrial and port access, while the A256 provides essential coastal connectivity amid tourism growth. Overall, triple-digit routes in Zone 2 emphasize efficient local distribution, contrasting longer primary radials by prioritizing accessibility over high-speed travel.

Four-Digit Roads

Four-digit A roads in Zone 2 of the comprise the shortest and most localized routes within the zone, primarily serving as urban connectors, short spurs from principal roads, and occasional relief or access links in south-east . These roads, designated with numbers from A2000 to A2999, emerged largely after the initial allocations to classify minor streets, upgrade unnumbered paths, or accommodate post-war infrastructure needs, often in densely populated areas like , , , and . Unlike higher-status triple-digit or lower-numbered roads, four-digit routes emphasize local rather than inter-regional connectivity, with many created or renumbered in the late or early 21st to optimize numbering availability or support specific developments such as bypasses and approaches. Their collective mileage is modest, typically totaling under 200 km across the zone, reflecting their role in supplementing rather than supplanting the main network. Numerous active routes exist. Most of these roads are under 5 km long and derestricted for speed limits outside built-up areas, facilitating efficient local movement while integrating with parent routes like the A2 or A259. For instance, many function as urban relief roads in , avoiding congestion on radial arterials, or as spurs in coastal counties to link residential areas to main highways. Post-2000 creations are rare but notable, often tied to economic regeneration projects, such as freeing up lower numbers for upgrades elsewhere. Derestricted sections allow higher speeds where permits, enhancing their utility for short-haul journeys. The following table presents representative examples of current four-digit A roads in Zone 2, highlighting their locations, approximate lengths, and purposes:
RoadLocationLength (approx.)Purpose and Notes
A2000Crayford to Slade Green, (London Borough of Bexley)1.6 kmUrban link formerly part of the A20; connects A207 to local residential areas, maintained by Bexley Council despite TfL oversight.
A2001, London Borough of Bexley0.5 kmShort bypass link between A211 (Chislehurst Road) and A222 (); avoids police station crossroads for local traffic.
A2018Bexley to , /1.2 kmEastern edge urban connector from A223 roundabout to A206; supports cross-boundary movement in Thames-side suburbs.
A2022 (Bromley) to , London/21.7 kmSuburban distributor through south London, aiding traffic flow in area via links to A23 and A24; includes rural sections in foothills.
A2050Harbledown to Bridge, near , 8 kmFollows former A2 alignment along New Dover Road; provides access to Canterbury approaches and eastern routes, with derestricted rural stretches.
A2070Brenzett to , 21.8 kmRural link parallel to A259 coastal route; serves as alternative for non-port traffic, with sections derestricted for faster travel.
A2690Bexhill to , 5.6 kmCreated in 2015 as Combe Valley Way bypass; relieves congestion on A259 coastal multiplex by linking A269 at Bexhill to A21 near ; with economic development focus, no major changes since opening.
These examples illustrate the typical profile: compact urban or semi-rural segments branching from triple-digit parents like the A259, which multiplexes with several four-digit spurs along the coast for local access. Overall, four-digit roads in Zone 2 underscore the scheme's flexibility in addressing localized needs without disrupting the hierarchy of longer distributors.

Historical and Special Cases

Evolution and Major Changes

The was established in 1922 under the Ministry of Transport, classifying principal roads into A and B categories to facilitate maintenance funding and navigation. Zone 2 was designated for radial routes emanating from towards the south-east, encompassing paths to , , and , with initial assignments such as the A20 from London to Dover and the A21 to . This zonal structure, inspired by radial patterns from the capital, aimed to provide logical numbering for cross-country travel, with single- and double-digit roads forming the core network in Zone 2. During the 1930s, the network expanded amid growing motor traffic, with the 1935 revision introducing significant renumberings and extensions to accommodate new alignments and urban growth. In Zone 2, this included reallocations like the rerouting of sections of the A22 to the A23 north of Purley, enhancing connectivity in the south-eastern radials without altering the core zonal boundaries. These changes reflected a shift towards more systematic aids, incorporating feedback from early mapping efforts. The post-war era from the 1950s to 1970s saw major transformations through motorway construction, which derouted sections of Zone 2 A roads to relieve congestion on historic routes. The motorway, opened in stages between 1963 and 1965, bypassed congested portions of the A2 through the Towns, , and , transferring long-distance traffic to the higher-capacity route while retaining local A2 segments. Similarly, late 1960s improvements to the A20 east of involved realignments and widening to address bottlenecks, preparing the route for increased freight movement. The completion of the M25 orbital motorway in 1986 profoundly influenced Zone 2 by providing a 117-mile loop around , diverting orbital and through-traffic away from radial A roads and reducing urban penetration in south-east . This alleviated pressure on routes like the A2 and A20, enabling focused local improvements, though it spurred development along the corridor. In the , the A21 saw targeted enhancements, including the 1996 order for dualling between and , aimed at improving safety and capacity on the London-to-Hastings corridor amid rising commuter demand. The opening of the in 1994 at significantly boosted traffic on the A20 and A26, necessitating infrastructure upgrades to handle cross-Channel freight and passenger flows; the A20, as the primary approach from , underwent bypass works and M20 integrations to mitigate congestion at the terminal. Post-2000 developments included the 2006 opening of the on the A249, a new dual-carriageway bridge replacing the 1960 Kingsferry lifting bridge, enhancing links to the Isle of Sheppey and supporting regional . Since 2020, no major renumberings have occurred in Zone 2, though ongoing considerations for technologies on interconnected routes like the M20 continue to influence A road management for better traffic flow and safety.

Unused, Former, and Reserved Roads

Several A roads in Zone 2 have been decommissioned or rerouted over time, often due to the construction of motorways or urban development projects that superseded their original alignments. For instance, sections of the A2 between and Dover were replaced by the motorway, which opened in stages during the mid- as a bypass for the congested A2 through the Towns, , and ; this led to the detrunking of parallel A2 segments, with some portions downgraded to local roads. Similarly, the original designation of the A292 in , applied to a short urban link known as Magazine Road, which was rerouted and effectively decommissioned following the opening of the A20 Ashford bypass in 1958; the number was subsequently reassigned to the former A20 route through Ashford town center. In the case of the A205 South Circular Road, pre-M25 extensions planned in the as part of 's Ringway network—including links westward from through and to Gunnersbury—were partially realized but later adjusted, with some sections detrunked in 1989 under the A2 and A205 Detrunking Order to integrate with the completed M25 orbital route. These changes reflect broader historical shifts where motorway development in the and absorbed or obviated older A road functions in Zone 2. Unused and reserved numbers in Zone 2's scheme fill gaps left by incomplete allocations since the 1920s, with the (DfT) responsible for managing and assigning them to prevent conflicts and maintain zonal consistency; local authorities must apply to the DfT's Casework team for any new A road designations from this pool. Approximately 10-15 three-digit numbers remain unallocated in Zone 2, primarily due to the relatively compact geography of southeast requiring fewer radials and links than larger zones. Notable gaps include A246 to A249 and A293 to A299, which have never been assigned, as existing infrastructure sufficiently covers radial and orbital needs without necessitating these designations. While no explicit reservations are documented for coastal extensions like a potential A299 prolongation beyond , the DfT holds such numbers in reserve for future strategic needs. Post-2020, no major decommissionings have occurred in Zone 2, reflecting stabilized road networks amid environmental and fiscal constraints; however, proposals like the A27 —a planned 8 km south of to alleviate congestion—advanced through consultations in the early but were cancelled in July 2024 following a review, leaving the proposed upgrade to the A27 unbuilt with potential for future improvements under review as of 2025. This case underscores how reserved numbers support adaptive planning without immediate allocation.

References

  1. https://www.roads.org.uk/articles/road-numbers/numbers-and-b-roads
  2. https://archive.roads.org.uk/index.php/Memorandum_on_Route_Numbering
  3. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/1922_Road_Lists
  4. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/1922_Road_Lists/Zone_2_Class_I
  5. https://www.rchs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2-2-Road-numbering.pdf
  6. https://euclid.colorado.edu/~rmg/roads/numbering.html
  7. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-highways
  8. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-road-classification-and-the-primary-route-network/guidance-on-road-classification-and-the-primary-route-network
  9. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2
  10. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A21
  11. https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/a21-safety-package/
  12. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A22
  13. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A23
  14. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A24
  15. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A25
  16. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A26
  17. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A27
  18. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A28
  19. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A29
  20. http://tagg.org/zmisc/geog/ARoadsAll.html
  21. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A200
  22. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A205
  23. https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/brownhill-torridon
  24. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A207
  25. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A228
  26. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/Kingsferry_Bridge
  27. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A256
  28. https://www.thanet.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Corridor-Studies-Existing-Conditions-1.pdf
  29. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A299
  30. https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/plans-to-fully-reopen-a299-thanet-way-eight-weeks-early-following-extensive-rebuilding
  31. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/Numbering_principles
  32. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/Category:A2000-A2999
  33. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2000
  34. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2001
  35. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2018
  36. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2022
  37. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2050
  38. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A2690
  39. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-120-million-bexhill-hastings-road-opens-to-boost-east-sussex-economy
  40. https://www.roads.org.uk/articles/road-numbers/how-it-happened
  41. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/1935_Road_numbering_revision
  42. https://www.roads.org.uk/motorway/m2
  43. https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written_answers/1968/jan/17/a20-improvement
  44. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0966692396000014
  45. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/a-look-back-as-sheppey-crossing-turns-15-250016/
  46. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/all-new-smart-motorways-scrapped
  47. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/A292_%28Magazine_Road%2C_Ashford%29
  48. https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/Unallocated_numbers
  49. https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/a27-arundel-bypass/
  50. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxw2zmgn7r0o
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