Pedal and rail power could boost prosperity for two towns
Two Kent towns could see a major employment boost. One has been chosen as the global HQ for a bike manufacturer while another town is using its railway heritage in its bid to become the centre for the new rail public body for England. Reports by Liane Cas
Two Kent towns could play host to thousands of jobs as key transport hubs are eyed up. In Ashford thousands of jobs are set to be created after bike manufacturer Brompton announced plans to move its global headquarters to Ashford and build a multi-million pound factory on wetlands. It’s not the only town which could see huge employment benefits coming its way. Tonbridge has submitted a bit to become the HQ for Great British Railways, the new public body responsible for regenerating Britain’s rail network. One of the UK’s largest cycle companies, Brompton has earmarked land along the Avenue Jacques Faucheux dual carriageway, close to Asda and the Ashford Designer Outlet, for the new scheme.
Artist’s impressions show there will be wide paths for cyclists and pedestrians to go straight into the facility, which will be built on stilts and also have a visitor centre, museum and cafe.
The land is currently unused and is part of a 100-acre floodplain but Brompton says this is not an issue as the factory which will be on stilts - will provide an opportunity to restore the wetland and has been designed to work in harmony with the landscape and support biodiversity.
Ashford Borough Council has long held plans to transform 60 acres of the field into a rewilded public nature reserve with
a community cycle path and a network of trails.
It hopes these plans - in partnership with developers Quinn Estates and architects Hollaway - will coincide with this. Despite the vast development, it won’t come with any parking spaces in a bid to encourage employees and visitors to access the site by cycling, walking, or using public transport. With train travel playing a central role in the Tonbridge, the borough council has entered Tonbridge into a national competition to identify a base for the new organisation.
If successful the area would reap a range of benefits, including a boost to its profile, more visitors and new jobs.
Plans to create Great British Railways were announced by the government in 2021.
The new organisation will integrate the railways, owning the infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables. Council leader Cllr Matt Boughton (Con) said: “As a town with a great railway heritage for 180 years, Tonbridge is the ideal location for the new HQ of Great British Railways. “We have the connections and infrastructure to deliver the government’s objectives. Our ambition for Tonbridge has no limits and I truly believe we are building a great case for our town to become Great British Railways’ home.” A shortlist of towns will be announced in May, followed by ministerial visits.
It will then go to a public vote. Ashford was chosen by Brompton because of its easy
access to London and Paris, which Will Butler-Adams OBE, CEO at the firm, says is important as cities are beginning to move away from cars and adopt walking and cycling strategies. He said: “There has been a global realisation post-pandemic that we need to change how we live in our cities, to design them around the people that live in them, not the automobile.
“Brompton has a large part to play in supporting that transition, but we need to have more space to innovate and create the products of the future.
“London was the inspiration for the Brompton and our success is in large part due to our diverse and skilled staff who continue to nurture and develop our company.
“By choosing Ashford we can retain this strong connection to London and the UK, whilst being on the doorstep of Europe.”
He added: “We have a long journey ahead with the planning and development of the new site, but we’re thankful for the support of Ashford Borough Council, Hollaway Studios and Quinn Estates towards achieving
our combined ambition to build this revolutionary and sustainable bicycle factory of the future.”
It hopes to open the factory by 2027 with the aim of producing more than 200,000 bikes per year, doubling its current rate. At first, the company expects to employ more than 1,500 staff but once fully operational, this is expected to rise to 4,000.
It is claimed the proposals equate to a £100 million investment in the local economy and Brompton has also pledged to work with Kent universities, colleges and schools to develop a skilled workforce locally for generations to come.
The first ever Brompton bike was made in 1975 by the inventor Andrew Ritchie.
They are now sold in 47 countries around the world and known for being able to fold up to a third of its size and being lightweight enough to take on public transport.
One of the first Brompton Bike Hire docks was installed at Ashford International Station in 2013 and will be expanded as part of the plans.
The company’s current factory in Greenford, West London, will continue to operate until at least 2030.
Simon Ryan, investment director for Locate in Kent said: “Ashford is crying out for development like this.
“Before they spoke to us, originally they were looking at Swindon, South Wales, Manchester and for a long time it was between us and Birmingham. “Nottingham was talked about as well so this has been a really competitive journey all the way through.
“Ashford has really shone through and this will mean global recognition for the town.” Will Butler-Adams, chief executive at Brompton said: “We need a home. At the moment we rent a big grey box in London and it’s not right for us as we have grown bigger.
“These big grey boxes in London are getting really expensive, so we need a home that we can design for us that we won’t have to move out of in 10 years time where we have room to grow. “We found Ashford which is a hidden gem. We are coming to Ashford and we will bring some staff from London but we are a growing business and we need talent and young ideas so we will work with young people so we can create the knowledge pool locally.”
Architect Guy Hollaway said: “The whole building is on stilts and we created a circular building so you can get views out of every floor.
“We wanted it to connect to the landscape with these cycle ways that wrap around the building so people can arrive on the roof and really connect with the surroundings.
“It was a challenge, but we worked with engineers to enhance the flood risk and rewild the park so it can hold the water and soak it up like a sponge.
“We can actually improve the situation downstream in a flooding event so the houses nearby are at less risk.
Ashford council leader, Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con), said: “This represents a once in a generation opportunity
“The arrival of the new factory will enable Ashford to fulfil a long-held ambition to create a wetland park that will enhance the environment and encourage more people to explore the district in a sustainable, eco-focused manner.”
“We also have the opportunity to develop the site alongside the factory so we will have a lovely wetland park.
“We have other sites, but this site was a no brainer.”
The Ashford proposals are subject to planning approval, with an application expected around April.
‘These big grey boxes in London are getting really expensive, so we need a home that we can design for us that we won’t have to move out of in 10 years time’