News

Flood Alert

southashfordcf 5 January 2021 0 Comments

Upper River Stour

Flooding is possible – be prepared

River levels have risen as a result of persistent rainfall. Flooding of roads and low lying land is expected from 09:45 today, 05/01/21. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads along the River Great Stour, particularly around Great Chart. Further light rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours until tomorrow morning, 06/01/21. We expect river levels to continue to rise until tomorrow evening, 06/01/21. Our incident response staff are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond if required. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses. This message will be updated by 20:00 this evening on 05/01/21, or as the situation changes.

This information was last updated at 7:34am Tuesday 5 January 2021

Flood alert – Prepare

prepare a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents
check flood warnings

Monitor the river level feed from Gaugemap.co.uk on our River Levels page

What to do before, after and during a flood:

Environment Agency:
https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/target-area/064WAF6UpStour

Environment, News, Safety

Resilience of Domestic Waste Collection Service

southashfordcf 28 December 2020 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council is currently in the process of contingency planning for the possibility that daily bin collections will be adversely affected, due to potential disruption caused by traffic congestion across the borough, following the Brexit EU exit transition on the 1st January 2021.

ABC has been working with both the Government and KCC to ensure that additional waste collection and disposal resources are funded and work closely together. We have agreed longer working hours and priority delivery slots for our collection vehicles at the transfer station, as well as additional operating hours for collections crews. ABC will be taking a number of actions to minimise disruption to collections and to ensure they are completed in a timely manner, whilst keeping residents updated. These actions will include:

Residents being asked to present bins, when possible, the evening before collection, if this isn’t possible we will be asking residents to present them no later than 6am on the morning of collection.
The contractor will be providing additional collection crews to continue collections after 6pm if needed, to do our utmost to ensure collections are completed. If necessary, additional collection crews will be working late into the evening. Staff from the Street Scene service will be working rotational shifts to ensure service is monitored throughout so that issues that we can resolve (outside traffic congestion) are dealt with promptly. Missed collections can be reported here www.ashford.gov.uk/report/
The Council will be highlighting that additional recycling can be placed in clear sacks or cardboard boxes, or held over to place in the recycle bin once emptied.
The council will be posting regular updates on social media and on the council website, regarding the status of collections, to ensure residents understand what is happening so they can act accordingly.

ABC will continue working with Kent County Council and their contractor Biffa to ensure we deliver the most effective service possible for our residents.

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

Flood warning

southashfordcf 27 December 2020 0 Comments

The area covered by flood alerts has been extended to include the whole of the Great Stour from Lenham to Ashford, the East Stour from Postling to Ashford, Aylesford Stream and the Great Stour from Ashford to Sturry.

The threat on Ruckinge Dyke and Whitewater Dyke has been raised to Flood Warning.

Warnings and alerts are in force elsewhere in the Borough of Ashford

Flood warning – Act

turn off gas, water and electricity
move things upstairs or to safety
move family, pets and car to safety

Flood alert – Prepare

prepare a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents
check flood warnings

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings

Environment, Flood, News, Safety

Flood Alert Upper River Stour

southashfordcf 27 December 2020 0 Comments

Flooding is possible – be prepared

River levels have risen as a result of heavy rainfall. Flooding of roads and low lying land is expected to start around 08:00 today 27/12/2020. This is likely to take place in the following locations: River East Stour, the Aylesford stream and the River Great Stour. Further heavy rain will continue till around 09:00 before the weather will clear apart from a few scattered showers. Further rainfall is forecast late tonight and into Monday. We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are patrolling catchments and clearing screens. The public are advised to keep clear of rivers and avoid driving in flood water as bow waves can cause property flooding. This message will be updated later this afternoon.

This information was last updated at 6:05am Sunday 27 December 2020

Flood alert – Prepare

prepare a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents
check flood warnings

Monitor the river level feed from Gaugemap.co.uk on our River Levels page

What to do before, after and during a flood:

Environment Agency:
https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/target-area/064WAF6UpStour

Environment, Flood, News, Safety

Waterbrook traffic management

southashfordcf 23 December 2020 0 Comments

Plan of proposed route — Click to enlarge

Temporary traffic management plans announced for duration of Waterbrook inland border facility site operating at the same time as Sevington site; changes to A2070 orbital park roundabout include short ‘loop’ diversion for drivers leaving orbital park wishing to travel south-east toward Finberry, Romney Marsh and Kingsnorth.

The Department of Transport has announced plans to introduce a temporary traffic management scheme at the A2070 Orbital Park roundabout. The Waterbook inland border facility is likely to become operational for a maximum two month period starting 1 January 2021 at the same time as the partial operation of the facility at Sevington (where wet weather has delayed completion of works therefore requiring a period of dual running with functions split between the two sites).

The traffic management scheme, which will be in operation from 1 January as part of the approach to dual operation, consists of portable traffic signal controls on the A2070 westbound from the Orbital Park roundabout, and also Waterbrook Avenue, which is the access road into the Waterbrook site. The lights will manage HGV movements in and out of Waterbrook in the peak morning and afternoon periods.

All traffic on the Boulevard exiting Orbital Park will turn left onto the A2070 eastbound carriageway towards the M20 (even those motorists wishing to turn right at the roundabout to head westwards towards Kingsnorth on the A2070).Motorists wanting to head towards Kingsnorth will drive past the entrance to the Sevington Business Park before arriving at the A2070 Bad Munstereifel roundabout, where they can ‘loop’ around the roundabout before returning westbound along the A2070 back to the Orbital Park roundabout, through the traffic lights and westwards towards Kingsnorth.Motorists living on the Finberry housing development would use the same ‘loop’ because drivers will not be able to use the Orbital Park roundabout in order to turn around as they do now.

Emergency service vehicles travelling under a blue light will be still able to access the closed section of the Orbital Park roundabout.

Ashford Borough Council think it sensible for motorists to avoid this area if they can or allow extra time for their journey, particularly during the early period when the arrangements are bedding-in. They will raise with DfT the need to monitor and fine tune the working of the temporary arrangements, including making sure that those exiting Barrey Road are not unreasonable prejudiced by the scheme.

News, Transport

Christmas Recycling and Refuse Collections

southashfordcf 21 December 2020 0 Comments

A reminder that during the festive period your recycling and refuse collection days will be altered. Check out the Calendar below for the changes.

Week	Normal Collection Day	Revised Collection Day
Recycling	Mon 21 December	Mon 21 December
	Tue 22 December	Tue 22 December
	Wed 23 December	Wed 23 December
	Thu 24 December	Thu 24 December
	Fri 25 December	Mon 28 December

Refuse	Mon 28 December	Tue 29 December
	Tue 29 December	Wed 30 December
	Wed 30 December	Thu 31 December
	Thu 31 December	Sat 2 January
	Fri 1 January	Mon 4 January

Recycling	Mon 4 January	Tue 5 January
	Tue 5 January	Wed 6 January
	Wed 6 January	Thu 7 January
	Thu 7 January	Fri 8 January
	Fri 8 January	Sat 9 January
	Mon 11 January	Normal Service resumes

There will be no garden waste collection over the Christmas period.

Side waste, ie textiles, small electricals or batteries still cannot be collected.

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

Stagecoach Christmas Service update

southashfordcf 21 December 2020 0 Comments

With amended services running over the festive period, check Stagecoach Christmas timetables before you travel.

Please plan ahead as some services may be busier than normal and try to take the most direct route available.

There’s great value travel for all! Kids go for just £1 with any adult ticket or concession pass and for travel after 6pm there’s our unlimited ‘eveningrider‘ ticket for just £3 on the Stagecoach Bus App.

This year will feel a bit different, but Stagecoacj are planning to run a variety of bus services on Boxing Day (subject to any local lock-down restrictions). Checkout the links to the Boxing Day bus timetables below.

Monday 21 – Wednesday 23 December	Normal school holiday service
Thursday 24 December (Christmas Eve)	Normal school holiday service but some early finishes -see below for more information
Friday 25 December (Christmas Day)	No service
Saturday 26 December (Boxing Day)	No buses on Ashford routes.
Sunday 27 December	Normal Sunday service
Monday 28 December	Normal Bank Holiday (Sunday) service
Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 December	Normal school holiday service
Thursday 31 December (New Years Eve)	Normal school holiday service but early finishes- see below for more information.
Friday 1 January (New Year’s Day)	No service
Saturday 2 January	Normal Saturday service
Sunday 3 January	Normal Sunday service
From Monday 4 January	Normal school day service

Buses that finish early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve,

Route AD – The last bus is 20:55 from Bank Street.

Route B – The last bus is 20:45 from Kennington and 20:42 from Bridgefield.

Route C – The last bus will leave Ashford Int’l Rail Station at 21:06, from Lees Road at 21:25 and William Harvey Hospital at 21:31.

Route G – The 23:20 from Ashford Int’l Rail Station to Godinton Park will not run.

You must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’.

Stay safe when you travel

Remember, unless you’re exempt, you must wear a face covering throughout your journey. Please use contactless payment where you can, keep your distance from other passengers and take your litter with you.

Travelling is easier with the Stagecoach Bus App

Did you know we’ve added colour-coded buses to our live map in the app?
It’s great to help you find the quieter times to travel.

Download the app

Customer Help Hub Opening Times

Email Stagecoach at CustomerHelpSE@stagecoachbus.com
(Mon – Fri not including Bank Hols, 09:00-17:00)

Tweet them at @StagecoachSE
(Mon – Fri not including Bank Hols, 09:00-17:00)

Call us on 03456 00 22 99
(Mon – Fri not including Bank Hols, 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-15:00)

Follow them on Instagram @Proud2Serve_SE

You can reach the Stagecoach help hub team up to 3pm on Christmas Eve. They reopen on Tuesday 29 December until 3pm on Thursday 31 December then reopen on Monday 4 January 2021.

Need more information or have a question?
Click here for Stagecoach Help & Contact services.

Stagecoach UK Bus
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/christmas-and-new-year-bus-times

News, Transport

Kent in Tier 4

southashfordcf 20 December 2020 0 Comments

The whole of Kent is now under the new Tier 4 (Stay at Home) Coronavirus rules.

You must stay at home other than for specified reasons.

The restrictions apply throughout the the Christmas period.
You cannot participate in a Christmas Bubble.

Meeting Friends and Family	Work and Business	Education
No household mixing, aside from support bubbles and two people meeting in public outdoor spaces	Everyone must work from home unless they are unable to do so.	Early years settings, schools, colleges and universities open during term time. Registered childcare, other supervised activities for childcare purposes, and childcare bubbles permitted

Exercise	Retail	Personal Care
You can leave your home to exercise by yourself, with your household or support bubble, or with one person from another household. Outdoor sport allowed but gatherings limit applies except for youth and disabled sport.	Essential shops can open. Non-essential retail must close and can only open for click-and-collect and delivery.	Closed

Bars, Pubs and Restaurants	Indoor Leisure	Entertainment
Hospitality closed, aside from sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery.	Closed	Indoor entertainment closed. Some outdoor attractions may remain open.

Travelling	Accommodation	Overnight Stays
You must stay at home and only travel for work, education or other legally permitted reasons. if you must travel, you should stay local, and reduce the number of journeys you make. You must not leave a Tier 4 area or stay overnight away from home. Residents in Tiers 1 — 3 should not enter ‘Fer 4 areas. Do not travel abroad if you live in a Tier 4 area unless an exemption applies.	Closed (with limited exceptions)	You must not stay overnight away from home. Limited exceptions apply.

Places of Worship	Weddings and Funerals
Open for private prayer and communal worship, but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.	Funerals of up to 30 people permitted Wakes and other linked ceremonial events can continue in a group of up to six. Weddings of up to six can continue in exceptional circumstances.

Residential Care	Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
You can visit relatives in care homes with COVID-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits.	The Clinically Extremely Vuinerable are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend health appointments.

Health, News

Clairvoyant and Psychic Scams

southashfordcf 15 December 2020 0 Comments

Our second post for Friends Against Scams’ Scamnesty Month, raising awareness of scams, focusses on Clairvoyant/Psychic scams.

Have you received post out of the blue telling you that you need to purchase a ‘lucky’ charm for protection?

Have you received post saying wonderful things have been seen in your future – all you need to make it come true is to send money or purchase an item?

If you or loved ones receive letters, emails, phone calls like this or are told this face to face, be warned it is a scam.

Find out more about Scams

ARE YOU or someone you know, inundated with scam mail? Tempted to respond to it? Keen to help track down the criminals behind scams and help put a stop to their activities?

IF YES to any of the above then why not become a Scam Marshal for National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team.

To get advice or report a scam contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline or telephone 0808 223 1133
Report a Scam

Kent County Council Public Protection

Crime, Finance, News

Stay at home	Meeting Others	Exercise
You must not leave, or be outside of your home or garden, except for a very limited set of exemptions e.g. to shop for basic necessities, exercise, go to work if you cannot do so from home, or to escape risk of harm.	You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone, except with your household or support bubble (if eligible to form one). Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble.	You may exercise on your own, with your household or support bubble, or with one person from another household (when on your own). Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble.

Retail	Personal Care	Leisure and Sporting Facilities
Essential shops can open. Non-essential retail must close and can only run click-andcollect and delivery	Closed	Closed, with limited exceptions.

Bars, Pubs and Restaurants	Work and Business	Education
Hospitality closed aside from sales by takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery. Alcohol cannot be purchased through takeaway or click-and-collect from hospitality venues.	Everyone must work from home unless they are unable to do so.	Early years settings open. Primary and secondary schools and colleges move to remote provision except for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. Most university students to move to remote learning.

Travelling	Accommodation	Overnight Stays
You must stay at home. If you do leave home for a very limited set of exemptions, you should stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live where possible. Do not travel abroad unless an exemption applies.	Closed (with limited exceptions)	You must not stay overnight away from home. Limited exceptions apply e.g. to stay with your support bubble.

Entertainment	Places of Worship	Weddings and Funerals
Closed	Places of worship can remain open and communal worship is permitted, but you must not mix with those outside your household or support bubble	Funerals of up to 30 people permitted. Weddings up to 6 people permitted in exceptional circumstances. Wakes and other linked ceremonial events of up to 6 permitted.

Medical	Clinically Extremely Vulnerable	Care Home Visits
You can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and emergencies.	Shielding reintroduced across England. You should not travel to work, school, college or university and should limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.	Visits can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not allowed. No visits will be permitted in the event of an outbreak but end of life visits are permitted in all circumstances.

Harm and compassionate visits	Animal welfare
You can leave home to be with someone who is giving birth, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).	you can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.