The forced move of Ashford’s street market into the Lower High Street has been described as a shambles.

Launching a broadside at a council executive meeting on Thursday, Lib Dem leader Cllr Bob Davidson attacked officers for a catalogue of broken promises to traders.

He said: “We have listen to a lot of waffle. Eighty per cent of the promises to stallholders have not happened and the situation is unacceptable.

“We should be offering Ashford a decent and thriving street market and we are not”.

He was speaking during the debate following the publication of the three month review following the relocation."

From the public gallery baked potato stall holder David Lyons spoke for the traders.

He was critical of the lack of signs, publicity in general, having no market manager, anchor points for stalls or power supply.

He said: “Trade had dropped 50 per cent as people have no time to walk to the bottom of the High Street. It is like a wind tunnel and we are told there are practical issues preventing signage. Power used to be available but now we are told we can use generators which are not satisfactory.

“We are three months down the line and I don’t know anybody that thinks the advertising or situation is good.”

Leader Cllr Paul Clokie (Con) assured him that his concerns would be addressed and they would investigate the cost of providing power for traders.

Paul Jackson, head of environmental service, the officer in charge of the project said advertising banners had health and safety implications but in the long term they were planning new signage thoughout the town centre.

He said: “We had positive response from traders to radio advertising but we need to look at refreshing that in the comimng months in the run up to Christmas”.

Cllr Davidson called for proper signs on the outskirts of town, as in Faversham and Lenham, indicating there was a street market.

He said: “Our efforts are a mockery. The only publicity that has had impact was through the press reporting this fight in this council”.

For more on this story, see Thursday's Kentish Express