Shared space champion Ben Hamilton-Baillie has given Ashford’s new quality streets the thumbs-up.

He made an unofficial tour last week to see work in progress at first hand and then declared: “I was very impressed by what I saw.”

Ashford’s scheme being built by Kent County Council and partners will be the largest of its kind in the country to be shared by all road users.

It’s due for completion later this year with special features around Elwick Square including imaginative design, high quality paving materials, and a 20mph speed limit.

Speaking to nearly 100 people at last week’s public meeting in the parish church, Mr Hamilton-Baillie acknowledged that making changes could be ‘uncomfortable’.

But he went on: “I hope we have been able to bring together something which will inspire other parts of the country. This will produce what I hope is an exciting change for Ashford, Kent and the country.”

Mr Hamilton-Baillie, who advised the design team, said it would take time to establish, and get the interaction of cars and people working well, after removing the ‘scar’ of the town’s old ring road.

However, the choice of materials and the approach being taken had given the scheme a good start on the ground.

Addressing safety concerns, he said one shared space in London’s Covent Garden where seven roads converge had succeeded in avoiding crashes for 19 years.

The talk was arranged by the South East branch of the Institute of Civil Engineers together with Kent County Council.

Work in Ashford is continuing this week with the delivery and erection by giant crane of tall lighting columns for Elwick Square.

Media release 0243/08
15/09/2008