Cycle Route Link Opened

An important new cycle route link was opened on at the end of January, joining the Little Burton Farm area of Ashford to the town centre.

Keith Ferrin, KCC Member for Environment, Highways and Waste was joined by Mayor of Ashford Rita Hawes and staff and students from The Towers School, Ashford, to officially open the new link.

The new cycle and pedestrian path passes under the M20 and will provide a complete, direct, traffic free link between Little Burton Farm and Ashford.

It means that residents north of the M20 Motorway will now be able to access Ashford railway station, the town centre and Ashford's network of cycle and pedestrian links via a safe, traffic-free path alongside the River Stour, and avoid the busy A28 road.

Simon Allum, Bike It Officer for KCC's partner Sustrans, also attended the opening and was one of the first to cycle across the new link along with participants from The Towers School.

Keith Ferrin said:"This new link means residents have a real and practical alternative to using the car for short trips into the town centre. It also means that they can make use of the existing paths without needing to negotiate the busy A28 to complete the route."

It is hoped that more residents will be encouraged to cycle and walk to Ashford town centre as a result of this route opening and help reduce car use and pollution levels. Choosing to walk or cycle also offers many health and well-being benefits and is a fun activity for all ages.

For more information on cycling can be found on the walking and cycling section.

Media Release 0047/08
18/02/2008