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Progress to Date

A masterplan for Ashford was published in the Greater Ashford Development Framework (GADF) 2005. Today the masterplan is being implemented and the key projects are rapidly changing the face of Ashford.

Residential and Commercial

  • Stour Centre remodelling. Opened September 2007.
  • County Square retail extension. Opened spring 2008.   
  • Planning permission granted for 3000 dwellings on three large sites (Park Farm south and east, Cheesemans Green and the former Templer Barracks sites).
  • Completion of the first 50,000ft of proposed 1.25 million ft space at Eureka Park.

Education and Health

  • A new Primary Care Health Centre opened in 2006 in south Ashford.
  • Planning permission submitted by South Kent College for a multi-million further education facility Ashford Learning Campus.
  • Opening of John Wesley Primary School in Singleton in September 2007.
  • Plans to create a further 15 primary schools and three secondary schools over the next 20 years.

Environment

  • Mid Kent Water is investing £24.4 million into improving water supply to the Mid Kent area including a new water main between Bewl Water and Ashford.
  • Southern Water is investing over £40 million into infrastructure necessary to accommodate the planned growth in Ashford.
  • The Singleton Environment Centre community facility opened in May 2008.

Transport

  • Junction 10, M20. Work on a £7 million scheme to tackle congestion and improve capacity was completed in September 2007.
  • Ring Road. Work to transform the former ring road around the town centre into a series of two-way streets, which will open up the town centre and make it a more plesant environment was completed in October 2008.
  • Newtown Bridge. Works to improve access to the south of the town centre via Newtown Road Bridge was completed in December 2008.
  • A new traffic signal controlled junction at Romney Marsh Road/Victoria Road junction was completed in October 2008.
  • Planning approval has been given for a new road called Victoria Way linking the town centre and station with south Ashford. Work will start in spring 2010.
  • Work on improving the capacity of Junction 9 of the M20 and nearby Drovers Roundabout including building a new foot/cycle bridge over the M20 will start in spring 2010.
  • A new fast and high frequency bus service SmartLink is due to launch in 2012, following the introduction of a Park and Ride scheme. 
  • M20 J10a consultation complete by September 2008. Scheme on track for delivery by 2013 (subsequent to approval).

Telecommunications

  • Broadband. Wireless broadband available in Ashford from February 2006. Telecommunications and Broadband Strategy completed and project to develop fibre optic provision in Ashford underway.