Kentish Express Ashford & District
Council to supply update on A28 widening project
Construction work not expected to begin before 2018
Further details on the road widening of the A28 Chart Road in Ashford will go on show next week.
Earlier this year, Kent County Council announced a £32 million project to widen Chart Road between the Tank and Matalan roundabouts.
The project is part of preparations for the Chilmington Green housing development that will result in around 5,750 homes being built over the next 25 years.
People will be able to get an update on the Chart Road scheme at Singleton Environment Centre next Wednesday and at Godinton Village Hall on Thursday July 20.
Visitors will also be able to take part in the Chilmington Green draft Community Development Strategy consultation being held by Ashford Borough Council and its community partners.
It takes place between 4.30pm and 7pm at the Wesley School Road venue.
Kent County Council’s event at Godinton Village Hall in Loudon Way takes place between The county council plans to spend £32m widening the road between the Tank and Matalan roundabouts, where congestion is a persistent problem 3.30pm and 6.30pm. Subject to the acquisition of the remaining parcels of land required for the scheme, which is well under way, construction work is expected to start in early 2018 and take about 18 months to complete.
A compulsory purchase order was published in May should voluntary land acquisition not be possible.
If KCC has to use its compulsory purchase powers, the start of the scheme could be delayed until 2019.
Funding for the project has been secured by KCC, with £10.2 million coming from the Local Growth fund obtained from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, and the remainder through the Chilmington Green developers.
It will include 1.2km of new dual carriageway, improvements to the existing junctions, and a new bridge over the railway line.
Over the next few months there may be additional site surveys and investigations being carried out by KCC contractor Jackson to gather more information about the site to mitigate the construction risks.
These include further trial holes to confirm ground conditions and the position of utility apparatus, additional drainage surveys, and ground investigations in the vicinity of the new railway bridge near Matalan.