Normal street lights cost £1,000 each. But there is outrage after it emerged every one of these state-of-the-art lights in Ashford sets the taxpayer back seven times that amount.

With their elegant curves and sleek lines, the lights incorporated into the town's new ring road were hailed as an example of how cutting-edge design can transform a town.

However, creating the iconic 'shared space' road scheme can carry a hefty price tag.

The street lights along Elwick Road cost £7,000 each – seven times more than a conventional lamppost, according to the politician in charge of the county’s roads.

Cllr Keith Ferrin (Con), Kent County Council’s cabinet member for highways, has expressed his anger.

He said: "I was really appalled when I found out. How can you justify spending £7,000 on a lamppost? Unfortunately, I did not discover what it was costing. It is absolutely outrageous."

The lighting of the shared space was developed by designer Nayan Kulkarni, who was charged with designing a scheme to enhance the shared space values of the ring road.

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