Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hopes estate clean-up will make HGV drivers treat area with respect
Concerned councillors say they plan to clean up the Henwood Industrial Estate in Ashford, so that lorry drivers treat the area with more respect.
Frustrated business owners have complained about dozens of drivers pulling up on the estate at the end of every week, causing litter and antisocial behaviour.
Now leading councillors have pledged to tidy up the area off Mace Lane – which they hope will stop HGV drivers dropping litter.
Former Ashford Borough Council leader Paul Bartlett, who represents the Weald East ward, says he is hopeful the plan will work.
“We are looking at tidying up the estate so it looks nicer,” Cllr Barlett said.
“If you make it look nicer, the lorry drivers will treat it more respectfully.
“It is early days, but we are looking at cutting the overgrown foliage which makes it look run down and also renew the double yellow lines.”
Cllr Bartlett, who is also a Kent County Council member for Ashford Central, met business owners and police officers to discuss the issues last week.
“Business owners are very concerned about lorry parking,” he added.
“Over the weekend, lorries park up on a Thursday or Fri- day and do not leave until Sunday evening or even Monday morning.
“There is quite a lot of antisocial behaviour and rubbish left, which is creating a problem for the businesses who are having to clear up the mess.”
Cllr Bartlett says the issues have been brought into sharp focus recently following the opening of the popular Flip Out trampoline park.
“It is difficult to get around the estate when the lorries park up,” Cllr Barlett added.
“The roads are quite narrow at some points.
“Now the trampoline park is there with lots of children using it, the state of the estate really does need looking at.”
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