Kentish Express Ashford & District
Plans under way to clean up churchyard
Plans to revitalise Ashford town centre’s churchyard are under way, following a meeting between leading councillors and unhappy residents.
The actual churchyard of St Mary’s Parish Church and the homes and pathways immediately around it has a long history of vandalism and trouble.
Cllrs Brad Bradford and Graham Galpin met with residents earlier this month to discuss ways of reducing anti-social behaviour and agreeing a strategy for the future.
An Ashford Borough Council spokesman said: “Our Aspire team have already visited the churchyard to mow the grass and, as part of our wider floral displays around the town, planters have been ordered.
“The Town Centre Action Team (T-CAT) paid a visit to tidy the base of the railings and jetwash the area.
“While there they noticed some broken guttering so have repaired this and also intend to work on removing graffiti.
“We are also liaising with residents and St Mary’s Church to consider community projects that will enhance the look of the area and make the churchyard an even more attractive place for its residents and for our many visitors to the area.”
To prevent misuse, access restrictions to the churchyard were first introduced a few years ago. It is gated off on Fridays through to the early hours of Saturday, and Saturday nights, through to the early hours of Sunday to prevent it being used as a short cut by by pub hoppers.