The Future
Ashford's plans are creating exciting opportunities for growth -
everything you would expect from a thriving expanding town.
Ashford has pledged firm investment plans for the future and is
committed to implement a phased programme of change in a measured,
sustainable way.
Through business and government partnerships, Ashford aims to
achieve its ambitions and reap the rewards of being the best place
in Britain.
Last year saw the opening of the extended County Square shopping
centre including a new Debenhams department store and the
Singleton Environment Centre community facility as well as the
completion of the Ring Road scheme and Newtown Road Bridge
widening.
Below are some of the developments likely to happen in the
next few years.
2009
- Introduction of high-speed rail services to London reducing the
travel time to 37 minutes.
- Improvements to the station approach area, ahead of high-speed
train services.
2010
- Start of improvements to Junction
9 of the M20 motorway and nearby Drovers Roundabout.
- Start of works to build a new road called Victoria Way linking the
station with south Ashford.
- Development of Elwick Place, a 6.65 acre town centre mixed use
scheme.
- Completion of the water main link from Bewl Water.
- £24 million investment to improve the supply of water.
2011
- Start of implementation of Junction 10a of the M20
motorway.
- Development of large scale residential neighbourhoods at
Chilmington Green and Cheeseman's Green.
- 9,070 new houses and 7,000 new jobs planned between 2001 and
2011.
2012
- Introduction of SmartLink, a new fast and high frequency bus
service (phase one).
- Introduction of Park & Ride scheme at the Warren
site.