News

‘Drive less, live more’ campaign launched by Brake

23 November 2015 0 Comments

  • Road Safety Week footprint75% of drivers surveyed think people in the UK use their cars too much
  • Air pollution is estimated to kill 52,500 people in the UK each year
  • 43% of adults in England don’t meet the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week. Cycling or a brisk walk to work can meet these recommendations.
  • Five deaths and 64 serious injuries happen daily on UK roads, up 4% on the previous year

A 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…)

Environment, News, Safety, Transport

Drive Less, Live More

23 November 2015 0 Comments

Road Safety Week footprintSouth Ashford Community Forum (SACF) is taking part in this year’s Road Safety Week (23-29 November), as part of a national campaign coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity, encouraging people to drive less, live more and make our streets safer, more pleasant places.

SACF is joining thousands of other organisations, schools and community groups across the UK promoting life-saving messages as part of Road Safety Week, the UK’s biggest road safety event.

The Road Safety Week 2015 theme, drive less, live more, is about making our streets safer, more pleasant places by encouraging people to drive less, as little as possible, or not at all if they can. The campaign asks everyone to consider how they use roads, and see if they can reduce car journeys by walking, cycling or using public transport instead.

In 2014, five people were killed and over 60 were seriously injured every day on UK roads. Two-thirds (63%) of trips are made by car, including four in 10 (40%) trips of less than two miles. Road Safety Week is an opportunity for everyone to spread vital road safety messages, including the ‘drive less, live more’ campaign, to help reduce that toll to zero and ensure everyone can get around without fear or threat. (more…)

News, Safety, Transport

A28 Chart Road improvement scheme

22 November 2015 0 Comments

Tank RoundaboutThe A28 is the main route serving the south and west side of Ashford. Improvements have already been made from the A28 ‘Tank’ roundabout up to and including its connection with the M20 at Junction 9.

Southwards from the ‘Tank’ roundabout over the railway to the ‘Matalan’ roundabout the A28 is a single carriageway that has poor alignment over the railway and has regular congestion and unreliable journey times.

A proposal to change the A28 between the ‘Tank’ and ‘Matalan’ roundabouts into 2 lanes each way is being looked at again following the award of Local Growth Funding from the Department of Transport to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. (more…)

Consultation, News, Transport

Keep Warm Keep Well

20 November 2015 0 Comments

Keep Warm Keep WellBe prepared for the cold weather

Although winter weather and snow can be fun, it is also associated with an increase in illnesses and injuries. There’s more to feeling ‘under the weather’ than most people realise. Cold and wintry conditions can cause severe illness and, in the worst cases, people can die. The cold weather, combined with low levels of sunlight after the clocks go back, means that many of us can feel in poor health. However, with some simple precautions, most people can be prepared for the cold weather and prevent much of the misery often associated with winter weather. (more…)

Health, News

Ashford Town Centre Conservation Area Review

19 November 2015 0 Comments

Ashfored Borough CouncilAshford 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.

Public exhibition

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…)

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, Environment, Heritage, News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy

Christmas Recycling & Refuse Collections 2015/16

18 November 2015 2 Comments

recyclingDuring 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…)

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

Waiting Restrictions and Street Parking Places

18 November 2015 0 Comments

Ashfored Borough CouncilNOTICE is hereby given that the KENT COUNTY COUNCIL acting as local traffic authority and in exercise of its powers under sections 1(1), 2(1) to (3), 3(2), 4(1) to (3), 32(1), 35(1), 45, 46, 49, 53 and 124 and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and of all other enabling powers, intends to make the above Order, the effect of which will be to amend The Kent County Council (Various Roads, Borough of Ashford) (Waiting Restrictions and Street Parking Places) Consolidation Order 2015′ (as amended), the
effect of which will be:
In the Town of Ashford (listing only the changes in South Ashford)

  • Beaver Lane: Introduction of Double Yellow Lines round the entrance to No’s 113 to 127 Beaver Lane.

This Order will also make administrative changes to certain parts of The Kent County Council (Various Roads, Borough of Ashford) (Waiting Restrictions and Street Parking Places) Consolidation Order 2015′ (as amended), which will not change the extent of any restrictions as they presently appear on the ground (listing only the changes in South Ashford).

  • Arlington: Administrative amendment to improve accuracy of description.
  • Bowens Field: Amendment to times of restriction to match on street signage.

A copy of the proposed Order and supporting documents may be inspected on line at www,ashford.gov.uk/parkingconsultation or in hard copy format at Ashford Gateway Plus, Church Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1AS between 9am and 6pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am and 8pm Thursday, 9am and 6pm Friday and 9am and 5pm Saturday. A copy of the proposed Order will also be available at the main reception of Sessions House, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
Any objections or other representations relating to this Order must be made in writing to: Engineering Services, Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1PL or by email to consultation@ashford.gov.uk. Any objection must specify the grounds on which it is made.

Objections or other representations to this Order should include return address details and quotereference “2015/Am7”, but must be received by no later than midnight on Thursday 10th December in order to be considered.

Barbara Cooper, Corporate Director; Growth, Environment and Transport; Kent County Council; County Hall; Maidstone; Kent ME14 1XQ

Dated Thursday 19th November 2015

 

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, Kent County Council, News, Transport

ReCycle

18 November 2015 0 Comments

cropped-night-riding4The ReCycle programme is a partnership project with Goldwyn School, offering an affordable source of refurbished bikes, alongside an educational programme for the students at the school.  The concept is simple: DONATE – REFURBISH – SALE.

DONATE your unwanted bicycles to the programme and get a 20% discount at the bike sale.  You can drop bikes off at Goldwyn School (Mark Sibley), The Youthy (Jim Winter) or call 07762221024 (Spencer Morgan) and we’ll pick up.  Please ensure bikes are in a fixable condition.

The students at Goldwyn School are helping to REFURBISH the bikes as part of their education programme.  All bikes are throughly checked and serviced to ensure they are in a roadworthy condition ready for the bike sale.

Our next Bike SALE is on Saturday 12th December (10am-1pm) – pick up a bargain bike just in time for Christmas (and a free mince pie too!).  We’re already planing the next Bike Sale in time for early spring.  The bike sales will be at Goldwyn College (Norfolk Drive, TN23 4FB).

Cycle Circle

Education, News, Transport