‘Particular weakness in design’

The shared space scheme was launched in 2008 and cost almost £16 million.

It was designed to give equal space to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles using Elwick Road, Elwick Square and Bank Street.

However, within months the granite paving stones were looking stained and grubby and confusion arose over where drivers could park and pull over after parking signs were left out due to its ‘clutter-free’ philosophy.

Signs and parking bays were eventually introduced along the road as a result.

Loose paving stones were filled in with Tarmac, leaving the road resembling a patchwork quilt.

The £100,000 budget for The Flume came from a £1 million EU grant that was given to Ashford to improve the town’s transport links.

The idea was that the wavy line inlaid into the pavement in Bank Street and Elwick Road would guide people between the town and Ashford International Station.

The Flume was also designed to carry rainwater down it, although most of the time it is clogged with litter, grime and discarded cigarette ends.

In 2011, Kentish Express reporter Beth Williams surveyed a 200metre stretch of the paving surrounding The Flume, and recorded nearly 300 cracked slabs and many others loose or patched with Tarmac.

In 2013, a report by KCC contractor Amey found the materials that were used for the shared space six years ago were not strong enough for the amount of traffic that has been driving and parking on it, which resulted in loose, stained and cracked paving.

It also stated that the Flume was “a particular weakness in the overall design” as it had been placed in loading bays and on the carriageway and has been badly damaged by vehicles driving and parking on it.