Flanders Roundabout - Case Study

Issue to resolve

To improve the safety, appearance and maintenance of the town’s ‘gateway’ roundabouts whilst celebrating Ashford’s heritage and Ashford’s close links to the armed forces.

Action taken

We worked alongside Kent Country Council to create a roundabout that was not only safer and easier to maintain but also was visually attractive to those entering the borough.

We worked closely with the Leader of Ashford Borough Council Cllr Gerry Clarkson and the portfolio holder for Environmental and Landscape Management services, Cllr Andrew Buchanan to create a design that would pay homage to the borough of Ashford and it’s heritage and close ties with the armed forces.

We re-purposed the floral tank we had created for them in 2018 to commemorate 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. This not only linked to Ashford’s heritage but also linked to the roundabouts new name, Flanders. Chosen to not only pay homage to to the memorial but also to acknowledge the roundabouts Dutch design.

We also repurposed eight ‘British Tommy’ soldier silhouettes we had preciously helped create and install in the Ashford Memorial Gardens as part of the 2018 Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace commemoration.

We then created an eco-friendly wildflower meadow containing poppies a further nod to the memorial aspect of the roundabout.

Since it’s completion the roundabout has been selected by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society who want to feature it in their annual Best of British calendar – and it has won the 'Roundabout of the Year' award.