Road Improvements
Ashford already benefits from a strong road network. With
Ashford’s population set to increase it is important our transport
infrastructure has the capacity to cope with the increased traffic.
There are a number of current, planned and proposed improvements to
the capacity of our road network, and you can find out more
below.
Victoria Way
Victoria Way is a new route to the south of the town centre
to link the International Station at Beaver Road and the A28 Chart
Road. It will follow the existing Victoria Road to Cherry Court
where a new road will be built to join the end of Leacon Road by
Matalan at the Fairwood Industrial park.
The new Victoria Way will allow the town to grow and develop to
the south of the town centre and railway line and provide
opportunities for new developments including shops, restaurants and
cafes and new homes. Victoria Way will be delivered in phases as
development along the route takes place.
The initial phase includes the provision of a new road from Beaver
Road to the A28 Chart Road, the introduction of a tree lined street
and the creation of a new public square adjacent to the Victoria
Road Primary school. Work began in the spring and is due
for completion by spring 2011. For more information visit
the
Ashford Bestplaced website.
Junction 9 and Drovers Roundabout
As the
town grows our road network needs to be able to cope with the
increased traffic levels that a bigger population will bring.
Improvements to Junction 9 and Drovers Roundabout will make it
easier to travel across town by car, foot or bike and help support
future growth of the town in areas such as Eureka Park and Repton
Park.
Changes include introducing traffic signals, widening approach
roads and building a landmark footbridge over the M20. By doing the
improvements needed for the next 20 years in one go we are taking a
coordinated, strategic approach rather than changes in stages as
and when development occurs. This means reduced construction costs
and less disruption for residents in the long term.
Work began in the spring and is due to be
completed in spring 2011. For more information visit the
Ashford Bestplaced website.
Breaking Boundaries – A Project to Transform Ashford’s Ring
Road
Integral to the expansion of the town centre
has been breaking the barrier created by the former Ring Road.
Since its completion in the mid 1970's, most of the development has
turned its back creating an unpleasant, car dominated environment
that does not encourage walking or active street frontages.
But a mutli-million pound project to transform it back into a
two-way system, incoporating the UK's first fully functioning
'shared space' scheme, has dramtically improved both traffic flow
and the entire character of Ashford. The shared space area at the
bottom of the lower High Street allows motor vehicles, pedestrians
and cyclists to occupy the same space and create safer
environments, with reduced speeds.
Visitors will notice the improved paving and street furniture, and
a 20mph zone to increase safety, and the stunning road design makes
the area an attractive place for residents, businesses and
visitors, stimulating growth and opening up the town centre.
Further phases will be implemented in conjunction with progress on
Victoria Way and Park and Ride, that will reduce the need for
traffic to enter the town centre.
Since its launch, the area has been accident free and several UK
cities and towns, including Edinburgh, Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Oxford, Blackpool and Staines, are considering redesigning their
urban streets using the principles of shared space - using Ashford
as a model for success.
Kent County Council have produced a DVD to explain more
about shared space. To view the DVD.
For more information on the scheme visit the
Kent County Council Ring Road webpage.
This webpage was updated on
6/1/2010