Kentish Express Ashford & District
Nothing to be gained from reopening road
I do not see what is to be gained by opening up Beaver Road again.
For it to be a thoroughfare the traffic calming would have to be removed which was put there for a very good reason in the first place.
During the rush hour, traffic would back up considerably down this road from the lights at the Ashford station junction.
Cars would no longer be able to park on the street, creating another problem. As it stands it only takes a delivery lorry and a bus to block the street, so how would sending more traffic down here help.
Victoria Road and the A2040 work perfectly well bringing the commuters in and through the town leaving Beaver Road clear for emergency vehicles and public transport.
Businesses on Beaver Road have a healthy passing trade with the local residents, to open up the road again would lower the living standards for the community.
So why waste council money on creating a congested dangerous rat run when we would rather see it spent on improving the traffic calming to Beaver Road. J Hayward Ashford add my deeply felt protest.
I often shop in Ashford and need to use these toilets frequently. I realise most councils are having to make cuts but this is one that should not be made.
The idea of having to go into shops, cafes and restaurants etc looking for toilets really annoys me and will annoy some of those premises’ owners eventually.
I have experienced it. My hsuband died of prostate cancer 11 years ago and I will tell you that people with these sort of problems desperately need decent toilets available to them and this is one of the facilities councils should be improving, not closing down. Community toilet schemes ... that’s a disgrace. J. Lofthouse Robins Avenue, Maidstone
Cllr Galpin makes mention that the farmers’ market brings trade to the shops in the Lower High Street.
Perhaps he would like to identify the shops in question.
The Lower High Street consists mainly of hairdressers, nail bars, cafes and fast food outlets.
Cllr Galpin fails to mention or recognise the part that the Ashford town market plays in bringing people to the Lower High Street, three times a week, 52 weeks a year without any help or support from the council.
Many schemes have been put forward, as recently as May 3 in 2016, but as yet there has been no reply to this letter.
If the town market had as much support as the farmers’ market there would be a larger and more thriving market, one that Ashford could be proud of. P J Rosson On behalf of Ashford town market.