More traffic lights will be installed in Ashford if plans for a new Aldi store on the A28 are approved, supermarket bosses have confirmed.

The German discount chain wants to build a shop in Canterbury Road, Kennington, after snapping up a prime piece of land previously earmarked for a steakhouse.

But its plans have been met with anger by residents who fear the already congested stretch will be unable to cope with the extra traffic accessing the “abysmally positioned” store.

If given the green light, Aldi will develop a 1.85-acre plot of scrubland between the Holiday Inn hotel and M20, creating up to 50 jobs.

The land – which was previously home to the Houchin sports and social club – was initially expected to become a 170-seat Miller & Carter steakhouse after a planning application was approved in 2019, but the deal fell through.

When asked by KentOnline how it will mitigate the inevitable increase in traffic, Aldi confirmed it is planning to erect a number of traffic lights – including at the Cemetery Lane junction which leads to Longacres Bybrook Barn and Harvester.

“We will be implementing several highway improvements included within the plans for the proposed store,” a spokesman said.

“These include the signalisation of the store access onto Canterbury Road, the signalisation of Cemetery Lane, and improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities to enable more sustainable travel.

“The planning application will be accompanied by a full range of technical reports, including a transport assessment, which will examine the effects of our proposals on the local road network as measured against current policy and standards.

“Our planning application will be assessed by officers at Ashford Borough Council, as well as a range of statutory consultees, including Kent County Council, which will ensure that all matters are properly considered before a decision is taken by the local planning authority.”

But residents fear the new store will cause gridlock on Canterbury Road – with Kennington’s Ted Prangnell describing it as “perhaps the most dangerous stretch of road in Ashford”.

Wye’s Kerrigan Bethel agreed, saying the access point is “suicidal” as the proposed shop is “abysmally positioned”.

Aldi is yet to submit an application to ABC but has launched a public consultation and says it is keen to hear residents’ views.

Of the 120 car park spaces planned, seven are described as accessible, with 10 family and 22 electric vehicle charging spaces.

On the other side of Ashford, Aldi has now formally submitted plans for a store on the Waterbrook Park estate off the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road.

The proposed site is next to the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce base, not far from the Orbital Park roundabout.

Outline permission for a supermarket was secured in 2019, but a detailed application has now been lodged with ABC.

Aldi, which opened its first store in Ashford in August 2018, says up to 50 jobs will be created as a result of the proposed site – and there will be 120 parking spaces available.

The plot is currently being used as a temporary compound while contractors are working on the Bellamy Gurner road junction project.

The scheme will see the existing Orbital Park roundabout replaced with traffic lights.

Construction was expected to begin earlier this year but it has now been halted until early 2022 as Kent County Council is enforcing a ‘Christmas roadworks embargo’ to keep Bad Munstereifel Road clear over the festive season.

'The road needs to be upgraded before a serious accident occurs...'

Work has started on verges in the area but construction company FM Conway, which is in charge of the build, says its contractors are currently only focusing on land off the main A2070.

The work was initially expected to take 18 months.

Aldi’s plans are one of a number earmarked for Waterbrook Park, with Amazon linked to opening a huge distribution centre, and KFC primed to open a restaurant.

The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce says it fully supports the supermarket’s bid.

But Kingsnorth resident Michael Procyshyn said: “I agree in principle to having the shopping/development at Waterbrook, but the road system around the area needs to be upgraded as it cannot cope with the current traffic levels, especially at peak times.

“The road needs to be upgraded before a serious accident occurs and somebody is seriously injured.

“It would be foolish to proceed without first upgrading the road system and not simply adding traffic lights.”

Following a public consultation, Aldi says 88% of respondents were in support of the proposals.

What do you think of Aldi’s plans for Ashford? Are traffic lights a good idea in Kennington? Comment below or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk