Concerned traders and residents are demanding urgent action to clean up Ashford’s shared space.
They say that although the expensive flooring on the flagship area is only a year old the filthy state of it is tarnishing the town centre’s image.
Pavements are now heavily stained by drink spillages and trodden-in chewing gum and the tops of designer stainless steel rubbish bins, which cost £1,500 each, are being used as outdoor ashtrays by smokers stubbing out cigarettes.
Both Ashford council and Kent County Council say they’re trying to find a better way of cleaning Bank Street and the other shared space streets, although confusion seems to reign between the two authorities about how to achieve it.

Why didn't anyone ask how the shared space would be kept clean? Read Paul Francis' take on his blog>>>

The borough council is still waiting to hear from KCC on how best to clean the granite street covering.
KCC, meanwhile, is waiting to hear from the suppliers of the stone on how to clean the pavements around Bank Street, Tufton Street and Godinton Road.
Kingsnorth resident Ken Dunstan said despite the huge amounts of money being spent on the scheme all that residents have been left with is a “filthy disgusting mess”.
He said: “It seems beyond belief that the highly paid experts who designed this scheme chose materials that could not be cleaned. What do visitors to the town think when they come to see the well publicised scheme?”
Shopkeepers along Ashford’s flagship road scheme are also unhappy with the outside of their premises.
In a report updating councillors on how the scheme is progressing, KCC project manager Jamie Watson said a trial using normal cleaning techniques had “not produced the required general cleanliness expected”.
KCC and Ashford council are investigating possible solutions to the problem, one of which may be to seal the granite so that dirt and grime can be washed off more easily.
For full story and more pictures see this week's Kentish Express.