Transport

Brookfield Court improvements underway

12 July 2018 0 Comments

… resurfacing work, is due to commence on Monday 16th July for two days …

Resurfacing works at the Brookfield Court shopping area car park, located just off Brookfield Road, South Ashford is just one of many planned improvements in the area.

The changes are being driven by the Bybrook, Bockhanger and Ashford South Advisory Committee (BBASAC), which was established by Ashford Borough Council. Its remit is to engage and liaise with accredited local user groups, assess the needs and aspirations within their wards and then achieve both immediate and sustainable improvements within their local environment.

The Committee has been working hard to secure renovations at this site. Along with the much-needed resurfacing work, which is due to commence on Monday 16th July for two days, it is planned that the broken tiles on the side of the main shop’s building will also be fixed.

Biffa, the external contractor, is currently conducting a thorough deep cleanse of the car park and footpath areas, which involves the removal of litter, spraying and removal of weeds. In order to address the ongoing litter problems, two litter bins will be relocated to positions that should increase their use and an additional litter bin will be installed at the alley way located between the Co-op and Budgens.

Aspire Landscape Management has cleared the moss from the cobbles at the front of the car park, removed the damaged knee rail from the grassy area and cleared the footpath next to Paddy Power. Planned future works include painting of the remaining knee rail, power washing of the paving slabs outside of all of the shops to remove the grime, the repair and planting of shrubs near to the Co-op, the removal of brambles and weeds in all areas on site, pruning of the trees near the entrance and the removal of the 1960s broken bike racks.

Cllr Bill Barrett, Vice Chairman of the BBASAC, said: “The Bybrook, Bockhanger and South Ashford Advisory Committee sought from its very inception to seek out the areas within its remit that were in need of attention and the Brookfield Court Shops complex  is a prime example of that. The group’s goal is to improve such areas quickly and efficiently; making best use of council assets and resources. I know the work undertaken will improve the shops for the local community and the businesses alike and I have been proud to have been part of the endeavour.”

Cllr Andrew Buchanan, Chairman of the BBASAC, said: “I hope that all users, be they local residents or regular visitors will notice and appreciate the hard work from everyone involved and enjoy their enhanced environment.”

Ashford Borough Council  12th July
https://www.ashford.gov.uk/whats-on/news/brookfield-court-improvements-underway-12th-july/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News, Transport

Public Rights of Way strategy consultation

29 June 2018 0 Comments

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 – 2028

Kent County Council

Opened: 20 Jun 2018 at 09:00
Closes: 12 Sep 2018 at 23:59

Kent residents are being asked for their opinions on the Kent County Council’s plans for maintaining and improving public footpaths and bridleways.

KCC has launched a 12-week consultation on its Public Rights of Way strategy for the next 10 years.

The vision outlined in the council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan is: “To provide a high quality, well-maintained PROW network, that is well used and enjoyed. The use of the network will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.”

The plan identifies the following themes:

  • Active lifestyles – how use of the network has the potential to improve health and wellbeing;
  • Evolution of the network – changes required to meet current and future needs;
  • Knowing what’s out there – how the provision of information removes barriers to use;
  • Well-maintained network – how poorly maintained public rights of way act as a barrier to use;
  • Rights with responsibilities – responsible management and use of the network promoting good relationships;
  • Efficient delivery – why the Public Rights of Way and Access Service must use resources available to secure the greatest benefits for the public.

However, members of the public have the chance to say whether these themes are the correct priorities and make other suggestions.

The consultation is open until 12 September, and the questionnaire can be completed online at www.kent.gov.uk/rightsofwayimprovementplan. To request hard copies of any consultation materials, residents can email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or telephone 03000 421553.

Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “Our Public Rights of Way and Access Service looks after a network of about 4,300 miles of footpaths and bridleways, giving the public access to the county’s wonderful countryside and coastline.

“Officers have been carrying out detailed research and analysis to produce this plan, which builds on the achievements of the past 10 years.

“I hope the public will take the opportunity to give us their views on how much they value the service and offer their own ideas on its future plans.”

Have your say

The vision of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan is to provide a high quality, well maintained Public Rights of Way network, that will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.

The plan set out our vision for the Rights of Way network and how KCC will work towards delivering this over the next 10 years. KCC would like your views on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 – 2028 to ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of Kent residents.

The draft Strategy is available to download from the ‘Documents’ section below. Please let KCC know your thoughts by completing the online questionnaire (via the ‘Respond to this Consultation’ section below).

KCC have published a copy of our Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for you to read and make comments on via the consultation questionnaire.

Your responses will be compiled into a consultation report, which will help produce the final version of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Please note this consultation closes at midnight on 12 September 2018. 
(more…)

Consultation, Kent County Council, Leisure, News, Transport

Road Closure: Newtown Road

4 April 2018 0 Comments

From 16th April – November 2018

Newtown Road junction with Romney Marsh Road [A2042]

These works form part of the expansion of Ashford Designer Outlet.

Changes to local roads and pedestrian walkways surrounding the centre are part of a long-term project to make roads safer and improve traffic flows.

The changes will include the introduction of a signalised junction and a pedestrian crossing, which will make it easier for people to move between the International Station, the town centre and Ashford Designer Outlet. This will include a complete re-landscape of the area.

When will the roadworks finish?

The works will begin on Monday 16th April and will run until November 2018. The maintenance and improvement projects have been carefully planned to allow road works to be completed safely, while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum.

Where are the roadworks?

Due to the nature of the works, Newtown Road will be closed at the junction with Romney Marsh Road [A2042]. There will be no access to Ashford International Station and its car parks from Romney Marsh Road [A2042].

A fully signed diversion route will be in place via Orbital Park Roundabout and Crowbridge Road. Access to the centre is uneffected. Please refer to the below maps.

Who is doing the work?

The works are being led by McLaren and delivered by Walker Construction.

How can I avoid them?

Drivers are advised to check their route and allow extra time for their journeys where needed, especially at peak times.  McLaren and Walkers Construction have released a series of tips to help drivers navigate the improvement works during peak periods:

  • Check conditions on the roads and possible detour routes prior to making your journey
  • Use alternative routes to avoid road works where possible
  • Familiarise your changes in route prior to driving
  • Follow the yellow directional signage for diversion routes
  • Obey road signage for the safety of you and the workforce

Who can I talk to about these works?

Please email enquiries@ashfordexpansion.co.uk if you have a question.

McArthurGlen
https://outlets.mcarthurglen.com/en/uk/designer-outlet-ashford/whats-on/planned-improvement-works/

News, Planning and Development, Transport

Road Closure – Christchurch Road

26 February 2018 0 Comments

SGN will be commencing essential works in Christchurch Road.

Closure at the junction of Jemmett Road is planned to commence from 12th March 2018 with an estimated completion date of 10th April 2018.

Due to the nature of these works, it will not be possible to re-open the road outside hours.

Limited access will be maintained whenever it is safe to do so, but there are likely to be delays and certain times when this is not possible for safety reasons. Our operatives onsite will be available to assist you and offer information as to the progress of these works.

SGN  22 February 2018

 

News, Transport, Utilities

Changes to bus fares

9 February 2018 0 Comments

Stagecoach logoFrom Sunday 18 February we need to adjust the price of some of our bus tickets. We’re also opening up our ‘kid for a quid‘ offer to any adult ticket holder and anyone with a concessionary bus pass.

All adult single fares will increase by 10 pence. All adult return fares will increase by 10 or 20 pence. Some child single and return fares will increase by 10 pence.

A local area dayrider U19 ticket will increase to £3 and the South East dayrider U19 ticket will increase to £5.

The South East dayrider will increase to £7 and the South East family dayrider will increase to £14.

Local adult dayrider tickets and all megarider tickets are not affected.

It’s quids in for kids!

We know that lots of our customers want to travel with their children or grandchildren, especially during the school holidays. We recognise travel costs can be a burden on family budgets which is why we introduced the ‘kid for quid’ last summer. Now we’re able to take it further and open-up the offer to anyone with an adult ticket or concessionary bus pass. From 11 February if you have a valid adult ticket or concessionary bus pass you can buy our ‘kid for a quid’ £1 add-on ticket. View here for more details.

Stagecoach UK Bus 06 February 2018
www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-06/02/2018-16:31:45:119

News, Transport

A28 scheme wood recycling

8 February 2018 0 Comments

The Public Liaison Officer for the A28 Chart Road widening scheme is collating a list of interested parties that can utilise some of the wood available when work is started on the site clearance of 39 trees. To date over 40 organisations and individuals have expressed an interest in recycling the wood. The uses they have specified are very diverse and include a variety of woodland, artistic and construction projects, Tree species include oak, ash, sycamore horse chestnut, lime, elm and hawthorn some of which are ideal for sculpture and turning projects.

People must be able to collect the wood from a storage area being organised in Ashford during a specified one week window – probably towards the end of February or early March. As this forms part of community project for Ashford  KCC would like to track what happens to the wood.  So they are asking that anyone proposing to utilise any of the wood stays in touch and hopefully send some pictures of what has been made. As part of this project KCC are also hoping to raise money for a worthy local cause and would ask that if wood is taken a small donation is made to this cause. Details of the chosen charity will be confirmed at a later date.

Environment, Kent County Council, News, Transport

A28 Chart Road work begins next week

8 February 2018 0 Comments

Preparation work for the widening of the A28 Chart Road in Ashford will begin next week (February 12).

Kent County Council will then begin work on the £26 million project to widen Chart Road between the Tank and Matalan roundabouts in March and there will be further information provided about this stage of the works in due course.

The widening work is in preparation for the Chilmington Green development which will see around 5,750 homes being built over the next 25 years.

Vegetation and trees affected by the scheme are being cleared before the start of the bird nesting season.

The clearance will take about four weeks and stop and go boards will be necessary to manage traffic when vegetation close to the road is being cleared but this will be restricted to off-peak hours to minimise delays.

KCC will be providing replacement landscaping after the completion of the widening works that will see an increase in the overall number of trees along the route.

KCC will be providing a landscaping after the completion of the widening works that will see an increase in the overall number of trees along the route.

Rather than disposing of the wood, KCC will be creating opportunities for local charities and local craftspeople by reusing as much of the wood as practical.

More details will be provided shortly but if you know of a good cause in the area that could make use of the wood, contact the public liaison officer, Carole Jones at ChartRoadfeedback@jackson-civils.co.uk

Works are due to be completed by autumn 2019.

Kent County Council 07 February 2018
https://kccmediahub.net/a28-work-ashford-begins-next-week745

Kent County Council, News, Transport

Clockhouse road closure

17 January 2018 0 Comments

I & G Contractors Ltd working on behalf of SGN have planned gas mains replacement works in Clockhouse, Ashford.

Due to the nature of the works and the location of the gas main, Clockhouse will be temporarily closed from the junction of Brookfield Road. A signed diversion will be in place.

In consultation with Kent County Council, I&G Contractors will start work on Monday 26th February 2018 for approximately 2 weeks.

I&G Contractors would like to apologise for the disruption their work may cause and thank you in advance for your co-operation while they invest in the gas supply network in your area.

I & G Contractors Ltd 17 January 2017

News, Transport, Utilities

Don’t leave engine running in an unattended vehicle

25 November 2017 0 Comments

In a Tweet, Kent Police’s Road Policing Unit have warned drivers not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running to warm them on frosty mornings.

Note: It is an offence to leave a vehicle unattended on a road unless the engine is stopped.

Crime, News, Safety, Transport