Ashford is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. Its council is based in the town of Ashford. The borough was formed on April 1, 1974 by the merger of the borough of Tenterden with Ashford urban district, and the East Ashford, West Ashford and Tenterden Rural Districts. Although a large part of the Borough is still mainly rural, that around Ashford is undergoing a complete change, since it is fast becoming an industrial and commercial centre. The corridor caused by the M20 motorway and High Speed 1 and its railway station have led to much hitherto agricultural land being turned to other uses.