Ashford Borough Council’s Executive has backed plans for a new junction on the M20 motorway which will reduce congestion and support the future growth of the town. The Executive agreed in principle to support the Highways Agency’s preferred option for the proposed new M20 Junction 10a. This decision will now be formally reported back as part of the consultation exercise.
Ashford is now the fastest-growing town between London and continental Europe, with plans to create 28,000 new jobs and build 31,000 homes over the next two decades.
More than 1,200 jobs have been created or retained in Ashford over the past year, providing a further boost to the market town’s multi-million-pound growth plans.
Health care services are expanding across Ashford to meet the needs of the town’s rising population, which is set to double by 2031. Public and private sector investment is being ploughed into the region to provide new health centres and facilities, helping support Ashford’s ambitious development programme.
High quality and functional open spaces need to be at the heart of developments in the growth town of Ashford – and a ‘green spaces champion’ is being recruited to make sure it happens.
Work has started working on West Street’s ‘Rain Gardens’, an environmentally sustainable highlight of the Ashford town centre public realm project.
Ashford’s long term growth plans are unlikely to be affected by the current economic downturn according to the Ashford’s Future Partnership Board.
Following the news that Ashford has a sound Core Strategy, the company overseeing the town’s growth has predicted exciting times ahead for what has become the fastest-growing centre between London and continental Europe.
Ashford’s long term plans were given a boost this week as the Inspector considering the Council’s plans for future development has finally found them to be sound, a year after a local examination opened.
Members of the business community will have an opportunity to find out what Ashford’s future holds and how they can capitalise on the opportunities the town’s development will bring at the Business to Business Exhibition on the 24 June.
A key transport scheme for Ashford that will open up land for development and provide alternative routes to Tenterden and Junction 9 of the M20 moved a step closer following the announcement it has been included in bid for Government cash.
The public are being invited to put forward their views on plans for a new motorway junction on the M20. Two public exhibitions will be held in this week as part of the Highways Agency's public consultation for the project.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Iain Wright MP visited Ashford this week (Thursday 5 June) and came away very impressed with what he saw.
The world’s greatest athletes could be coming to Ashford, following today’s announcement that the Stour Centre has been chosen to feature within London’s 2012 Pre-games Training Camp Guide.
Judith Armitt has been appointed Managing Director of the new Ashford’s Future company. The new company has been set up to support the Ashford’s Future Partnership Board to drive forward key projects to support ambitious growth plans for the Kent town of Ashford.