PTRC Seminar & Technical Visit - Ashford Inner Ring Road Shared Space Project

Date: 8 July 2009

Location: All regions

Contact: Call Sophie of Ian on 020 7348 1970

A pioneering public realm scheme in Ashford in the Garden of England has merged the boundaries between engineering and art to provide an innovative solution to transport and environmental issues.

One of the key transformational projects to revitalise the town centre, has been the unprecedented step in removing the current one-way ring road built in the early 1970’s, and replacement with a series of two-way quality streets, jointly designed by artists and engineers. Based on the philosophy of ‘shared space’, which has been successfully implemented in continental Europe, but is still in its infancy in the UK, a greater balance between the needs of pedestrians and motorists is anticipated to be achieved. Ashford’s old ring road, which still carries around 11,000 vehicles per hour, has therefore evolved into one of the largest ‘shared space’ schemes in Europe.

Unnecessary street furniture, road markings and traffic signals have been removed and the speed limit decreased to 20 mph to enable better direct communication between all road users, whilst artist designed elements enhance the street scene. Space claimed back from the highway has been transformed into public areas for recreation and events.

More Information: Sophiew@ptrc-training.co.uk