Ashford, in the centre of the M20 corridor, is ideally positioned for access to London and Europe. Paris, Lille and Brussels are around two hours away and London will be just 37 minutes away from 2009. By 2031, 28,000 new homes and 31,000 jobs will be created in the town. Ashford’s Future is a partnership between the local council, government agencies and others from the public and private sector. It is responsible for delivering regeneration throughout the borough and ensuring the town grows in a sustainable way.
The multi-million pound redeveloped Stour Centre, which opened in September 2007, is set to become one of the best leisure centres in the South East. Among the new facilities is a leisure pool, the UK’s first Raging River experience, 25 metre main pool, luxury new spa and sauna facilities and a new 100-machine health club.
County Square Shopping Centre is undergoing a major redevelopment by ING Real Estate to almost double its size. Due for completion in spring 2008, the new centre will have an extra 22 new retail units, bringing the total number of shops to more than 60.
Work on a £7m scheme to tackle congestion and improve capacity at Junction 10 of the M20 has recently been completed. The bridges across the motorway have been modified to provide three lanes of traffic at the roundabout, and local approach roads have been widened.
In order to make the town centre more accessible, the 30 year old ring road has now been dismantled. This is the first stage in a project to create a quality streetscape for the new Elwick Road and for West Street and Bank Street. Completion is scheduled for the early summer of 2008. |
Artist’s impression of Ashford Learning Campus
In the town centre a £55m Ashford Learning Campus for further education is due to open in 2009, providing both vocational training and educational facilities for up to 14,000 full and part-time students. The Singleton Environment Centre will serve as a local attraction and environmental education resource for local schools and a growing number of environmental groups and projects in the borough.
A £200m deal to regenerate the sixties-built Stanhope estate was signed by Ashford Borough Council in spring 2007. Chrysalis will undertake the massive regeneration project, replacing blocks of flats with more than 400 new homes for rent, shared ownership or sale on the open market. There will also be a new commercial centre and improved public spaces. |
