Kentish Express Ashford & District
Police station entrance to move under new plan
The entrance to Ashford police station is set to move under new plans to upgrade the ageing building.
Kent Police wants to demolish the existing concrete ramp and balcony which currently lead to the station from Tufton Street.
The force hopes to move the entrance to Church Road between the junction with Norwood Street and the former court building which houses the CXK charity.
The work is part of a multi-million pound plan to restore the station after serious safety concerns were raised about the structure of the building.
Kent Police put scaffolding around the site after lumps of concrete fell from the six-storey building in 2015.
But last year, Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott announced the plan to upgrade the station, which will be paid for from Kent Police’s capital reserves.
Mr Scott said: “The redevelopment of Ashford police station is scheduled to begin in March and will allow Kent Police to meet the needs of modern policing in the district.
“Once started, the work is expected to last 18 months, however, as with all major redevelopments, this may be subject to change.”
The police station was built in 1968, and boasted facilities including six floors, custody cells and a secure parking yard.
Problems were first reported in 2006, when lumps of concrete began to fall from the outside of the building, leaving steel reinforcements exposed.
In January 2015, scaffolders put up a protective fan around the building, and chartered surveyors from Collier Stevens were called in to review the options.
They found the external clad- ding was unsafe, but said there was no problem with the structural integrity of the building.
It posed the question for Kent Police as to what to do with the station, with rumours it could be knocked down and relocated.
But Mr Scott says the improvements to the station will enable the force to meet the needs of modern policing.
He said last year: “This made sense from the economic and operational point of view.
“I hope the news provides certainty for the officers and staff based at the station, as well as to the wider community.
“We did look at a number of options at the existing site and around the town.
“We will be staying in the same building and maintaining our commitment to Ashford town centre as the town grows.
“It is going to be a long-term project, and it is my commitment that policing stays in the areas and communities that we serve.”
A final figure of the cost of the redevelopment has not been confirmed as contractors have not yet been appointed.
Kent Police has submitted its plan to move the station entrance to Ashford Borough Council.
To view the scheme, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 18/01825/AS application.
The deadline for public comments is Saturday, February 2.
What do you think about the new entrance plan? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk