Changes to the old Ashford Ring Road (Breaking
Boundaries)
The nature of the old Ring Road is being changed significantly
over the next five years. To find out more about the changes see
the
works implementation plan.
To find out more about parking in Ashford town centre please
visit the parking in Ashford map available on the
Ashford Council website (link opens in a new
window).
At present, pedestrian access to the town centre is severely
limited by this busy road which surrounds it. The alterations will
improve, not just the access, but also the appearance of the
streets. These changes represent a major contribution to the
revitalisation of the town and to developments in the surrounding
area. The work is being carried out in three phases.
What is happening in Phase 1?
Between now and the spring of 2008 the old Ring Road will be
'broken up' and converted into a series of quality streets.
Kent County Council, as a member of the Ashford's Future
partnership, has started work on the scheme to convert the road to
two-way traffic and progressively resurface it with higher quality
materials.
In addition to changing the traffic flow Phase 1 will see the
creation of:
- a new Elwick Street
- a new Elwick Square
- an improved Bank Street
- a West Street 'pocket park' between the carriageways
Reducing speeds to 20mph or less and narrowing the carriageway
will result in better sharing of road space between pedestrians and
drivers.
On the 1 July 2007 the old Ring Road was converted to support
traffic flowing in both directions instead of just in one direction
as it has in the past. To find out about the old Ring Road
converting to two way traffic see the
two
way traffic map.
Jackson Civil Engineers have been appointed as the contractor
for the Bank Street works which started on the 10th September and
will run until end of March 2008. To find out more about the work
see the
Tufton street plan.
Tufton Street has been closed in the evening for several months
from Sunday 16th September from its junction with Bank Street by
the start of the pedestrianised zone to point in line with The
Pheonix PH.
Bank Street will be made two way with vehicles able to exit via
Queen Street, which is to be opened up and then via Norwood Street
and Church Road.
Tufton Street will also be made two way for vehicles wishing to
access properties between Bank Street and Church Road.
This is to allow the construction of the new works in Tufton
Street and Bank Street.
Temporary traffic management changes to Elwick Road and Bank Street
will be taking place. In order to construct the Elwick Road works,
a one way system will be in operation from the evening of 5
November between Norwood Gardens and Church Road in an anti
clockwise direction.
The next phase of Bank Street started on 1 November allowing access
to the town centre via Church Road, Tufton Street and a right turn
into the pedestrianised zone.
Work also starts between Tufton Street and Middle Street with a
full road closure, but pedestrian access will not be denied.
To see the plans of the work, look at the
Bank Street and Elwick Road works.
As of Monday 18th February, access to Godinton Road from the old
ring road will be closed. The alternative access is via Carlton
Road and through the Godinton Road bus gate. This is a temporary
measure and is likely to be in place until October 2008.
All businesses and residences on Godinton Road between Carlton
Road and West Street will have to gain access via the alternative
route.
There will be signing in place directing the new route and
various locations entering Ashford Town Centre.
The above is required to allow the next stage of the works to
commence with the diversion of services and lowering of the
existing carriageway. This phase will last until June 2008. To find
out more about the work see the
Ashford Town Alterations.
Further phases over the next five years will improve the rest of
the old ring road.
What will it look like?
Rather than the current wide strip of tarmac the improved road
and pavement surfaces will also be enhanced by taking away all the
road features that define it as a space for traffic only. Artists
have been employed to add distinctiveness to the streetscape and
the new streets will become 'shared space'. As a result drivers
will be encouraged to respect pedestrians more, particularly those
who are less able or with children. The new streets will then
become attractive, vibrant places enhanced with shops and
cafes.
'Shared space' seeks to change the 'mental maps' that drivers
create and alert them to a different environment in which
pedestrians and cyclist have equal priority. The keys to this are
low speeds, a narrow carriageway and the removal of the typical
visual clues for drivers, such as information signs and pedestrian
guard railing.
The 'shared space' philosophy builds on the work of Hans
Monderman in Holland and has already been used in changes recently
completed in Kensington High Street (link opens in a new
window).
Who is working on this scheme?
Three artists have been employed for various aspects of the
scheme:
(The following links open in new windows)
Additionally, Michael Pinsky will work on a temporary
artworks programme, 'The Lost O', to challenge and add interest
while the road changes are taking place.
Specialist consultancies have also been employed:
(The following links open in new windows)
Where is the money coming from?
As part of the Government's
Sustainable Communities Programme (link
opens in a new window) most of the £11.3m. budget for the scheme
is coming from the Department of Communities and Local
Government. The rest of the funding is provided by:
- Kent County Council
- Ashford Borough Council
- European Union
- the SEEDA funded Channel Corridor Partnership
- the Arts Council.
What is the schedule?
The first phase is nearing completion with Somerset Road,
Wellesley Road and Station Road converted to 2 way and Elwick Road,
West Street and Forge Lane under temporary traffic management to
provide 2 way working.
Bank Street - The work to reconstruct Bank Street will commence
late August 07 and be completed late February 08.
Elwick Road - The work to reconstruct Elwick Road will commence
October 07 and be completed July 08.
Victoria Road/Beaver Road/Romney March Road - The work to
realign the entrance to Victoria Road and to remove the roundabout
and replace with a signalized junction will start in October 07 and
be completed by April 08.
While work is in progress, access to all town centre car parks
will be available. Please follow directions signs where
necessary. |