Ringway carved through heart of town

Back in the 1970s, many familiar areas of Ashford had either disappeared or altered considerably.

Redevelopment was largely responsible for nearly all of these changes, but some happened so long ago, many of us forget ‘what was’ and only know what we have today.

It was in the 70s that the Ringway carved its way through the heart of the town; a huge mistake in the minds of many.

And at the top of Elwick Road and foot of Bank Street, sections of land were compulsorily purchased from the Stanhay Works at the foot of the street and also Ashford Market.

On the latter subject, many of us wish that the market had not moved to Sevington, but with this section of land taken for the Ringway and then the site blighted by the High Speed Rail Link, the market site was getting smaller and smaller.

Back on track to this week, Remember When takes a look back to this sometimes forgotten corner of the town in the days before Debenhams dominated the site and the so-called shared space road layout caused controversy in the vicinity.

The pictures will bring back memories of trawling back up Bank Street from the market with bags and bags of shopping – perhaps popping into the Market Hotel (latterly the Wig and Gavel) for a swift half – before returning home.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend me, so they can be scanned and featured in the Kentish Express?

Write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford, Kent. TN24 8RY or email me at rememberwhen_kmash@ hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford.

Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232