News

Consultation on new lorry area

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…)

Community Council Decision

ABC CrestFollowing a ‘lively’ debate, Ashford Borough Council have this evening (10th December), as expected, decided not to create a Community Council in South Ashford, Central Ashford or North Willesborough., they did however, vote to create Community Councils in Kennington and South Willesborough and Newtown.

South Ashford Community Forum will continue to to represent the views of people living and working in South Ashford and to help communicate those views to Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council and other statutory organisations.

Elwick Place to go before planning committee

Elwick PlacePhase one of the proposals for the old Ashford Market site and adjacent land will be considered by Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee on 16th December.

Committee Agenda

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Talk about abuse – thank you and next steps

Citizens Advice logoGillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, has today blogged about the end of the 16 Days of Action that has formed part of their Talk about abuse campaign.

She writes that the campaign has been “a really important opportunity to encourage people to Talk about abuse” and says “the most important part of this past fortnight or so has been the powerful, brave and moving stories told by victims themselves,”

“We know that specialist domestic abuse charities play a crucial role supporting victims of abuse, but we know also that most people going through abuse will not turn first to specialists, the police or other agencies, but to their friends and families. Helping these ‘bystanders’ to support victims is a crucial element in tackling domestic abuse.” (more…)

Talk about abuse

If you are affected by domestic abuse there are specialists who can help you.

Ashford Domestic Abuse One Stop Shops offer free advice, information and support from a range of agencies under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can affect anyone and therefore, if you are a man or a woman and would like to discuss your issues, you are welcome to attend. No appointment is required just turn up.
The Willow Centre, Brookfield Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4EY
Telephone: 07598 74504
Opening times: Every Tuesday morning 9.30am – 12.30pm
(more…)

Please support the Talk about abuse campaign

Please support Citizens Advice’s Talk about abuse campaign.

Last year one in every 15 women, and one in every 33 men experienced domestic abuse at the hands of their partner or former partner. A quarter of women and just over a tenth of men have experienced this kind of abuse at some point in their adult lives.

Domestic abuse wrecks lives, harms children and creates huge social costs that fall on councils, local health services, the police and the wider community. (more…)

Become a cycling instructor

Kent County CouncilAre you interested in becoming a cycling instructor?

To find out about vacancies or for further information on KCC’s National Standard Instructor training course carried out in partnership with Cycle Training UK, please contact the Bikeability team on 03000 41 81 81 or at bikeability@kent.gov.uk.

These 4 day courses will be run at Ashford Rugby Club on the following dates:

  • 18, 19, 25 and 26 January 2016
  • 9, 10, 16 and 17 May 2016
  • 10, 11, 17 and 18 October 2016

Coercive control law a “welcome step”

Citizens Advice logoCitizens Advice has said today that victims of domestic abuse should feel the law is on their side and has highlighted the importance of people being able to recognise abuse. The national charity has welcomed the coercive control offence that will come into effect later this month, as well as new efforts being made by the Government to tackle domestic abuse. (more…)