Ashford's roads are starting to look good

10 August 2010

A stunning bridge over the M20 is the centrepiece of road improvements at the gateway to Ashford.

Representatives from Ashford’s Future, Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council, BAM Nuttall, SEEDA and the Homes and Communities Agency were among the special guests invited to an event celebrating the start of works on Junction 9 of the M20 and nearby Drovers Roundabout.

As Ashford’s exciting expansion continues one of the biggest changes required to Ashford’s roads network will be the expansion of Junction 9 of the M20 and the adjacent Drovers Roundabout, which are on one of the busiest routes to and from town.

A landmark new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists providing a safer and better route to the town centre from Eureka Leisure Park and north Ashford is a striking symbol of the positive changes Ashford is under-going.

The project has secured a total of £15.1m Regional Infrastructure Funding from SEEDA and the Department for Transport, which will forward fund the improvements and will be paid back by developers as their schemes progress.

Judith Armitt, Managing Director for Ashford’s Future, said: “I’m delighted to see yet another key milestone in the town’s development begin. It’s crucial that as the town grows we ensure we have the right infrastructure in place to keep the town moving.

“Following hot on the heels of the start of works to Victoria Way, this project shows that despite the uncertainty with the economy, Ashford continues to be a beacon of development and growth.”

The current junction and roundabout to the town suffers from congestion, and improvements will be made to open up these routes to allow safer flow of traffic and unlock future investment opportunities in the surrounding area, such as Eureka Business Park and Repton Park residential development.

The improvements include introducing new traffic signals, widening approach roads to the junction, increasing the number of lanes on the junction and roundabout and building a landmark footbridge over the M20.

Kent County Council has awarded the contract to BAM Nuttall and the scheme will be completed by spring 2011.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Nick Chard said: "This major road scheme shows the county council's commitment to Ashford's long-term future.

“It will help the traffic flow better on one of the main approaches to the town from the M20 and ease congestion at Drovers roundabout. With our borough colleagues at Ashford's Future, we want to raise design standards and use high quality materials to make Ashford a great place to live and work - as we already have done successfully with shared space on the ring road.

“This latest scheme includes a new footbridge over the motorway with a striking design which will stand out as a landmark for local people and visitors."

Lee Amor, Executive Director Enabling Infrastructure & Development at the South East England Development Agency, comments; “The expansion of Junction 9 of the M20 and the adjacent Drovers Roundabout in Ashford will provide a strong basis for future investment in the surrounding area.

“SEEDA has worked closely with the Department for Transport to facilitate £15m of funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund. This development scheme is a key step in unlocking future economic growth for Ashford.”

Dan Hockey, Contracts Manager, BAM Nuttall Ltd, Said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this significant contract by Kent County Council to make vital improvements to Junction 9 of the M20 motorway. We look forward to deliver a quality job for the people of Ashford”.