Ashford

New high speed rail services from Southeastern will be formally launched in December 2009, but in the meantime preview services, which began in summer 2009, make 37 minute travel times to and from Ashford to London St Pancras a reality. The new service halves journey times to the capital and adds to the daily international Eurostar services from Ashford to Paris, Brussels and Lille, meaning Ashford is well placed to reap the benefits of high speed services.

Ashford's location and connectivity are key drivers behind its ambitious £2.5bn Growth Area development strategy. This includes the creation of 28,000 jobs, the building of 31,000 homes, and development of 185,800m² (2mft²) of commercial space to enhance its already competitive rental market position.

In the town centre, Elwick Place, a 6.65 acre brownfield mixed use development is set to deliver 27,000m² (290,520ft²) retail, leisure and commercial space by 2013. The next major part of the town’s regeneration will be the creation of a dynamic commercial office quarter opposite the railway station capable of providing 55,000m² (591,800ft²). These new business hubs are part of a multi-million pound programme to improve the appearance and character of the town centre and to capitalise on Ashford as a world class business location.

This is in addition to successful developments at Eureka Business Park and planning permissions secured for further commercial office space at M20 Junction 9 and Repton Park. Work is also underway on a number of infrastructure and community facility projects, including expansion of the station and enhancing the station forecourt’s appearance in preparation for high speed rail services. Others include a new SMARTLINK bus system, the new Victoria Way linking the town centre with developments south of the town, a £200m PFI housing regeneration programme and state-of-the-art fibre optic broadband. These are in addition to the newly completed award-winning shared space scheme that has transformed the old town centre ring road.