The A26 road is primary route in the southeast of England, going from Maidstone to Newhaven through the counties of Kent and East Sussex. The road is almost entirely single carriageway with one lane on each side, although some of the road is three lanes, with the middle lane switching sides for overtaking and right turns. The road runs for a total distance of some 50 miles (80 kilometres) and provides access to the North Kent area and its industrial base with the ferry port of Newhaven. In consequence it has a large Heavy Goods Vehicle usage.