Last updated: May 2026
Short answer
Why the A28 matters to Chilmington Green
The A28 Chart Road runs along the western edge of Ashford and is one of the main routes Chilmington Green residents use. As the new community grows, more cars, school journeys and deliveries put extra pressure on this road. Improvements have always been planned to support that growth.
If you live, work or go to school anywhere on the south-western side of Ashford, the A28 affects your day. School-run congestion at the start and end of the day, longer journeys to the M20 at peak times, and queues at key junctions are all everyday experiences that the improvement scheme was designed to ease.
What is the A28 Chart Road improvement scheme?
The scheme covers upgrades intended to improve capacity, safety and journey times along a key section of the A28. The work is intended to handle current traffic and the additional traffic expected from Chilmington Green and the wider area.
In practice that typically means a mix of widened sections, junction upgrades, better walking and cycling provision and changes to side-road access. The exact design has been refined over time, and any future delivery is likely to be staged rather than done in a single closure.
Why has the scheme been postponed?
Kent County Council currently lists the scheme as postponed. Public statements have referred to ongoing discussions with the developer about funding obligations. Until a clear funding and delivery position is confirmed, it is not possible to start works.
Big highway schemes are usually paid for through a mix of council budgets, government grants and developer contributions secured through Section 106 agreements. If even one of those funding strands becomes uncertain, the whole programme can stall - that is essentially the position the A28 scheme has been in.
How is this linked to Chilmington Green?
Some of the A28 work has been planned as part of the infrastructure package linked to Chilmington Green. That makes the scheme sensitive to wider issues affecting the developer, including Section 106 obligations and the Hodson Developments administration.
That link is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the scale of Chilmington Green is one of the strongest reasons the upgrade exists in the first place. On the other, when the developer responsible for parts of the contribution runs into trouble, the road scheme inherits that uncertainty.
What does this mean for residents?
- Road improvements may take longer than first hoped
- Existing congestion patterns are likely to continue in the short term
- Future plans depend on funding and developer agreements
- Other transport priorities may need to fill the gap
Practical tips while the scheme is on hold
None of this changes the road overnight, but a few small things help. Building extra time into school runs and commutes, considering active travel for short trips, and using the quieter shoulder times where you can will all reduce the daily impact. Parents thinking about school journeys in particular should walk or drive the route at the times they will actually use it before committing.
How decisions get made
Highway schemes of this size involve Kent County Council as the highway authority, Ashford Borough Council as the planning authority, central government for funding, and the developers tied to the relevant planning permissions. Updates can come from any of those parties, which is one reason the picture often feels fragmented. We try to pull the public-facing pieces together in plain English on the latest update page.
What should residents watch next?
- Kent County Council updates on the scheme status
- Any new funding announcements
- Council decisions linked to Section 106 obligations
- Updates from the Chilmington Green developer
- Any consultation events on revised junction or active travel designs
Why this page will be updated
The A28 scheme is a moving picture. We will update this page when there is meaningful new public information, so residents have one clear, plain-English place to check.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the A28 Chart Road scheme cancelled?
Kent County Council currently lists the scheme as postponed, not cancelled. KCC has indicated that discussions with the developer about funding obligations are ongoing.
Why is the A28 scheme important?
The A28 Chart Road carries a lot of local traffic and is closely linked to Chilmington Green. As more homes are built, road improvements become more important to manage congestion and keep journeys safe.
When will the A28 scheme start?
There is no confirmed start date at the time of writing. Residents should check Kent County Council updates for the latest position.