Most drivers are speeding through the new shared space area of Elwick Road in Ashford, raising questions about the success of the scheme.

Speed checks have found that 85 per cent of drivers are travelling at 30mph in the 20mph zone, prompting road bosses to install a flashing sign.

Ashford is the first place in the country to adopt a large scale shared space scheme, prompting national publicity and even criticism from the likes of Jeremy Clarkson.

The concept involves removing 'clutter’ like signs and traffic lights, which increases uncertainty so forces drivers to take more care and slow down. But before the scheme is even completed, signs and signals are creeping back in.

The set of traffic lights opposite Debenhams was not in the original design and now signs are being reintroduced too.

Before his death earlier this year, Hans Monderman, the Dutch traffic engineer who came up with the concept of shared space, warned that the introduction of signs and signals in Ashford’s scheme could lead to its failure.

Road bosses will present a report on the issues and successes of the scheme to borough councillors on Tuesday . They will explain the findings of a working group which has recommended the installation of a temporary flashing 20mph sign. The report does not say how long the “temporary” sign will be in place for.

The presentation also outlines the next stages of work: “The street cleansing maintenance regime” will be carried out by the council and defects like issues with a slabbed area in Bank Street will be addressed. Additional markings to highlight the raised bus kerb will also be added. There will be a “gradual thinning out of cones” in Elwick Road and trees will be planted.

The report notes that “considerable feedback” has been received and goes on to say the “ultimate aspiration is to provide a quality, shared space environment around the entire ring road.”