the website of South Ashford Community Forum
Although the serious flooding seen in the North of England and Scotland hasn’t affected Ashford, you should ensure that you are prepared for flooding. We have updated the links on our Flood risk page and now have live gauges on our River levels page.
All refuse and recycling should be out for collection by 6am over Christmas and New Year. Please note collections may take place up to one day later than shown, with possible extra collections on Saturdays.
There will be NO garden or bulk collections for two weeks; w/c 28/12/2015 and w/c 04/01/2016 (except for those due for collection on Friday 25 December, which will be collected on Monday 28 December instead).
During the festive period, your recycling and refuse collections may take place on different days. … 2015/11/18/christmas-recycling-refuse-collections-201516/
Proposals for a major new lorry area that would help improve Kent’s resilience when services across the English Channel are disrupted have been announced today.
Two potential sites near the M20 have been identified for the lorry area, along with four broad ways it could be used. Each option would help to prevent the need for the M20 to be closed when there is disruption to cross-channel services.
The consultation asks for views on the suitability of each proposed sites, and on how it should be operated.
Highways England and Andrew Jones MP 11 December 2015 (more…)
By 2035 the number of cars on England’s roads is set to increase by 45% and traffic delays by 64%.
Four in 10 car journeys are less than 2 miles.
Driving less means less congested, more pleasant streets.
Half of our children are driven to school, yet the average school run for primary schools is just 1.5 miles.
Walking, cycling, scooting or skateboarding to school helps kids engage with their community, stay healthy and arrive alert and relaxed.
Driving less for families can mean more active, sociable lifestyles.
#DriveLessLiveMore
One in four adults in England are obese and a further 37% are overweight.
Regular walking, jogging and cycling can help guard against asthma, depression, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and some cancer.
People who take the bus or train to work instead of driving have a lower BMI and a healthier bodyweight.
#DriveLessLiveMore
75% of drivers surveyed think people in the UK use their cars too muchA national campaign launched today (23 November) by the charity Brake at the start of Road Safety Week calls on drivers to drive less, live more. The campaign aims to make roads safer, especially for people on foot and bike; save money; make communities more pleasant; protect the environment; and improve public health.
As part of the campaign, Brake and partners AIG and Specsavers today reveal statistics confirming the devastating effects on health and wellbeing of driving, including the extent of air pollution, the shocking number of deaths it causes, and levels of ‘inactivity’ across different parts of the UK.
A map of the UK showing statistics for each local authority is now live at roadsafetyweek.org.uk/drivelessmap for your analysis. (more…)
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have appointed a consultant to undertake a review of the Conservation Area (CA) of Ashford Town Centre. This includes an updated appraisal of the CA which describes the history and character of the area as well as discussing enhancement opportunities in a new management plan. The document is in draft form and ABC would like the views of local residents on the content. You can view the draft appraisal and proposals through this online consultation, where you can make as many comments as you wish.
ABC are also holding a public exhibition in St Mary’s Church Hall on Saturday 28th November from10am-1pm for residents and business owners to come along and view the documents in person. (more…)
During the festive period, your recycling and refuse collections may take place on different days. Check our calendar below – and read on for tips on how to recycle more this Christmas!
| Week | Normal Collection Day | Revised Collection Day |
|---|---|---|
| REFUSE | Mon 21 Dec | Mon 21 Dec (no change) |
| Tues 22 Dec | Tues 22 Dec (no change) | |
| Wed 23 Dec | Wed 23 Dec (no change) | |
| Thurs 24 Dec | Thurs 24 Dec (no change) | |
| Fri 25 Dec | Mon 28 Dec | |
| RECYCLING | Mon 28 Dec | Tues 29 Dec |
| Tues 29 Dec | Wed 30 Dec | |
| Wed 30 Dec | Thurs 31 Dec | |
| Thurs 31 Dec | Sat 2 Jan | |
| Fri 1 Jan | Mon 4 Jan | |
| REFUSE | Mon 4 Jan | Tues 5 Jan |
| Tues 5 Jan | Wed 6 Jan | |
| Wed 6 Jan | Thurs 7 Jan | |
| Thurs 7 Jan | Fri 8 Jan | |
| Fri 8 Jan | Sat 9 Jan |
Normal collections resume on Monday 11 January.
All refuse and recycling should be out for collection by 6am over Christmas and New Year. Please note collections may take place up to one day later than shown, with possible extra collections on Saturdays. (more…)
Following his presentation to South Ashford Community Forum on 16th September, Chris Dixon of ABC is asking for suggestions to improve Victoria Park. The outline of the presentation is attached to the Minutes of the Meeting, available from our Minutes and Agendas page.
SUGGESTIONS PLS??? I'd like to go see a vibrant, busy Park – imaginative ideas, well thought through features, some commercial activity etc
— Ashford Arts (@chrisdixonworks) October 13, 2015