customer case
Ashford High Street Play Train, Ashford Borough Council
Playgrounds to encourage families to spend more time in the area and support local businesses
Ashford Borough Council were looking to develop an area of the high street with a play train to encourage families to spend more time in the area and support local businesses. Having worked extensively with Ashford Borough Council over recent years, we were really excited to be invited to tender for this project, creating a bespoke train themed play zone in the high street, linking to Ashford’s unique heritage.
The design incorporate Ashford’s railway history, sparking imaginations and creating a fun and interactive space for families. We had to create something bespoke that would contribute to the towns cultural identity and sense of place, acting as a conversation starter or meeting point in the town centre. Due to the chosen location in a very busy high street environment, any equipment needed to be made from the most robust materials.
Within our design we were able to bring to life the visions of the council with a fantastic bespoke play train, incorporating a train engine and carriages, all with a variety of inclusive, tactile, sensory and imaginative play experiences. The train would be constructed around an existing raised brick wall planter with 2 trees inside it, with no digging allowed within the planter and no fixings allowed to the wall itself.
In addition, Ashford Borough Council had been actively looking into the carbon footprint of providing play facilities across the borough and how this can be reduced to meet their target of reaching net zero by 2030. We have been able to demonstrate this carbon footprint using independently verified calculations and certificates, ensuring that we consistently use the most greenest materials and methodologies in all of our processes.
“Working with KOMPAN on this project was a fantastic experience! Despite the added complexities - a high-profile location with heavy footfall and a challenging space right in the heart of town - they delivered brilliantly. We’re absolutely thrilled with The Supersonic Express! The playscape has transformed the town centre, bringing it to life and creating a vibrant, well-used space for the community. KOMPAN were supportive, proactive, and involved every step of the way - we couldn’t be happier with the result!”
Jake Jones, Project Manager, Environment Property and Recreation
Expertise in bespoke projects and design
The tender was awarded based on the design of the play area in addition to our expertise in delivering projects of this nature, in a high street location whilst also offering great value for money. The train was installed in March 2025 in time for the grand opening event whereby, local primary school student, Quinn, successfully won a competition to name the train (The Supersonic Ashford Express). KOMPAN provided goodies bags for the grand opening as well as the runners up prize for the naming competition – a Hornby Train Set. The train has proved to be a big hit with many compliments from the town centre team, local councilors and also visitors to the town centre.
PHYSICAL
Games area to help elevate fitness, muscle and bone strength, motor skills and cognitive function.
Cognitive
Joy of learning: curiosity, understanding of causal relationships and knowledge of the world
SOCIAL - EMOTIONAL
A safe space to help children nurture their social skills through teamwork and provide a sense of belonging. Decreasing a Child's stress and increasing their joy while on holiday.
Creative
Joy of creating: co-creation and experimenting with materials
Want to know more about cases like this?
Please fill in your contact details and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Click to activate the map
and find a KOMPAN site near you
