Category: Ashford

Astonishing pothole stats for Kent town

A shocking number of potholes have needed to be fixed throughout Ashford so far in 2019, it has been revealed.

Figures show that more than 5,000 have been filled throughout the district, up to Friday, June 28 this calendar year.

Kent County Council is responsible for most of the roads in Kent except motorways and trunk roads, which belong to Highways England.

A spokesperson said: “Like all highway authorities across the country, KCC has a duty of care to maintain its highways.

“It is important to note that these are ongoing repairs and will continue throughout the coming months.”

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Ashford High Street. Picture: D-G-Seamon

Nearly 25,000sqm of repairs have taken place in the town, with Kent as a whole needing to have over 43,000 individual holes fixed.

It means the county has already smashed its 2018 numbers with over half of the year still remaining.

With an average of 28 fixed a day, KCC added that there is no reason why Ashford is having more potholes fixed than other places in the county.

“Funding for pothole repairs in districts across the county is the same and no district has more money for repairs than another,” they said.

“Each pothole repair costs the council a different amount of money, and factors, such as whether their needs to be traffic management while repairs take place, will affect how far the budget stretches.”

Maidstone has currently had the most potholes fixed since January, with more than 6,500 holes filled, and 106,000sqm of repairs needed.

Teachers smash charity target in local park run

More than £1,300 was raised for a special school which teaches pupils with severe, profound and complex needs.

Ten teachers from the Wyvern School in Great Chart completed a 5km run at Victoria Park on Saturday to collect cash for new outdoor equipment, smashing their initial £750 target.

Teacher Becky Macey ran while pushing pupil James Marshall in his wheelchair, and was thrilled to complete the course in 24 minutes and 39 seconds.

She said the run was a huge success which will only bring benefits for everyone going forward, with teachers hoping to buy equipment including bikes and scooters.

“It was fantastic to see so many staff turn out to run,” she said.

School bikes schoolbikes, education.

Donations will allow the school to purchase equipment like bicycles

“After Christmas we started a running club to promote health and wellbeing and we wanted to use our new-found fitness to help raise vital funds for the school.

“Our pupils thrive on outdoor learning opportunities and we’ve raised enough money to provide new play equipment for every class.

“On behalf of the staff, I’d like to say thank you to all those who have generously contributed via our JustGiving crowdfunding page and also to the Asics running store at the Ashford Designer Outlet, which kindly provided discounted running tops for all staff taking part.”

Staff had hoped to raise £750 for the school, but smashed that target by collecting more than £1,300 and continue to receive donations.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/becksmacey

Picture: Robin Webster

Promotion glory still the goal for United

16th July 2019

Ashford United are still aiming for promotion glory this season according to manager Tommy Warrilow, despite having a troubled start off-the field ahead of next month’s season opener.

Warrilow’s preparations for the new season have been blighted by as many as eight players leaving Homelands, with currently just three arrivals joining his Nuts & Bolts side, yet the United boss remains optimistic.

He said: “It’s no secret that when the season finished in May we were a lot stronger. It’s been virtually a building process because we’re literally starting a new team.

“Transfers have been a slow process but we’ve got to make sure we’re getting the right players in, and that means we have to be patient.

“We’re looking to build security into the football club and take it forward long-term rather than looking for a quick fix.”

A host of United players have left the club since the end of last season

He continued: “Ideally, I would like a 15-16 man squad and we’ve only got a dozen at the moment, so as long as I’ve got three substitutes, I’ll always look to the development side.

“But we’ve still got nearly five weeks to go until the season starts, and realistically we can and want to get out of this league, so the play-offs is the minimum I know this Ashford United side are capable of achieving.”

Warrilow says that some of United’s departures were inevitable, whereas a few came as a bit of a surprise to the 55 year-old.

“I was frustrated because I thought we would have kept the majority of our players from last season, and some of them especially I don’t understand why they didn’t re-sign.

“But nothing surprises me in football anymore and I don’t take any of it personally.”

United begin their campaign away to Phoenix Sports next month

The United manager was speaking after his side’s 2-0 pre-season victory at home to Sheppey United on Saturday.

Warrilow believes there were a lot of positives to take out of the win, as his team slowly begins to take shape.

He added: “Overall I was delighted with both the result and the performance, but obviously we can’t go overboard because the team has only had three training sessions.

“Up front we’ve got three great strikers now, and in midfield we also look reasonably strong, despite perhaps needing a couple more signings for competition, as well as another defender too.

“The three players that we’ve brought in this summer have also come in at the right time with a few weeks still to go, and that can only bode well for the future, especially with David Smith already scoring goals.”

United continue their pre-season campaign away to Welling Town on Saturday.