COUNTY transport chiefs have revealed details of a radical £7.5million scheme to transform Ashford’s ring road.

If agreed, it will bring an end to the notorious one-way system around the town and see a 20mph speed limit imposed on some sections of the road in a bid to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Kent County Council says the far-reaching improvements hold the key to making the town centre easier to reach and hope that new park-and-ride services will ease traffic congestion and in time open up the south of the town for more shops.

Under the masterplan, Elwick Road and West Street traffic will become two-way roads with a single lane in each direction. Somerset Road, which currently has four lanes, would also be converted into a two-way road.

One of the potentially contentious aspects will be the imposition of a 20mph speed limit around most of the town, coupled with narrowing the lanes for traffic in all directions to force drivers to be more cautious.

KCC regeneration chief Richard Stubbings said slowing down traffic was important. He stressed: "If you provide a nice open road, drivers are inclined to go fast, particularly when the road is clear.

"We want to discourage that. The intention is to make the ring road rather more pedestrian-friendly than it is and less like a restrictive ‘collar’ around the town centre.

"At the same time as taking the opportunity for narrowing carriageways, we will be providing additional park and ride services."

The first of these is expected to be at the Junction 9 of the M20, with a second at Waterbrook near the Orbital Road.

The scheme is expected to cost £7.5million, with all funding coming from the Government.

Improving the ring road is a key element of a wider transport blueprint for the area, linked to the expansion anticipated under the Government’s plans for growth. Consultation is expected to get underway this summer and work could start by the end of the year.

County and borough councillors will discuss the plans at meetings on Monday and Tuesday (January 9 and 10).