It may have its critics but amongst design experts Ashford town’s shared space scheme is growing in reputation. At an awards ceremony on the 3rd March 2009, organised by Sustain Magazine, it won the Marshall's Award for Public Realm. Hardscape supplied Porphyry kerbing and Kobra granite paving to the footways, benches, walling and the world famous 'flume' designed by artist Simeon Nelson, also in Kobra with Midnight Black granite inserts. Hardscape's concrete sustainable Kellen product was also supplied for the transformed ring road area. Ashford was up against three other projects, including One Vine Street, a project in central London which has an excellent rating for sustainability measures, such as rain water harvesting and zoned lighting. London based landscape architects Whitelaw Turkington were the design consultants for the scheme. Sustain Magazine says the awards recognise the best examples of creativity, commitment and distinction in the field of sustainability. This is the second award that the transformed ring road has won. In 2008 it won an award from the Landscape Institute for the project’s pioneering development.
