‘Let’s sort out the town first’

Controversial plans to open a park and ride on the outskirts of Ashford have been criticised by angry residents.

Developers behind a proposal for 625 homes in Kennington want to introduce the shuttle service off the A28.

They plan to build a car park for 300 spaces next to the Old Mill pub, where buses will take shoppers and commuters into the town centre.

But residents have taken to social media to express their opposition to the idea, which was exclusively revealed by the Kentish Express just before Christmas.

Stephanie Dowe wrote on this paper’s website, KentOnline, saying: “I think the town should be sorted first – it consists of nail salons, hairdressers, tattoo places and cafes.

“Ashford is getting a larger community with the houses going up, but the roads are too small, the schools are over- crowded and doctors and hospitals are over-stretched.

“Why can the focus not go on where it is really needed?”

It is not yet known what route the buses will take into town or where they will stop, but mayor of Ashford, Winston Michael, called the plan a joke earlier this month.

He said Kennington could not cope with the development, criticising the proposal to build on grade one agricultural land. Rebecca Seales agreed, saying: “Before a park and ride is even considered for Ashford, maybe the number of shops in the town centre should improve first. There are still so many empty units and apart from the Outlet, Ashford is hardly a destination shopping centre.”

Bosses at Gladman Developments, which is behind the plan, want to build a new fourarm roundabout in Canterbury Road, opposite Ashford Hockey Club, as an access point to the park and ride and housing estate.

They are now developing the park and ride proposal with bus operator Stagecoach.

A planning application has not yet been submitted, but developers have started a public consultation asking for views from residents.

For more information, visit www.your-views.co.uk/kennington/.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk

How we reported the plans