Outraged residents have compared their street to “a mosaic” after it was resurfaced – but the “unfinished” look could be the future of residential roads in the county.

Those living in North Road, Dartford, say they have been left with an uneven street that looks “unfinished” with many left hoping for a top layer to be added.

But Kent County Council (KCC) said the resurfacing works have been completed using a new trial method known as “concrete rehabilitation” which saves money and will allow the council to maintain more residential concrete roads.

Resident James Smith, who has lived in North Road for 13 years, said: “We just assumed it was going to be as per any other road.

“When they packed up last week I realised this was it. It is a hodgepodge of different materials.

“It is noisy, it is uneven, you feel it when you drive and it is the general aesthetic. It is bringing the road down.

“The road before was not in that much of a bad condition. It was just normal, like every road. It could have been better but it did not need urgent repairs.”

The 44-year-old said he was in “disbelief” when it dawned on him the road was to be left as it was.

He added: “I was angry. No one would say this is an improvement. It is a half done job done poorly.”

Another resident – who did not wish to be named – agreed. She said: “It is like a mosaic. We are not very impressed.

“When they first did it I thought it was going to be good and thought ‘what have we done to deserve all this work’. Then we realised this was it.

“It looks unfinished. We were expecting a little bit more for the amount of work that has gone into it.”

Neighbours also said “it was a shame” that the road had been left as it was and “it looks crap”.

However, not everyone is unhappy with the work – said by the council to be “more financially economical and environmentally friendly”.

One said: “Presuming that it is the case, and it is more environmentally friendly, then that is fair enough. I do not mind it.”

The road was closed on May 30 but the majority of work finished last week. Despite this, James – and others – are hoping the council will come back out and resurface the road “properly”.

A petition has even been set up claiming “the new ‘finish’ of the road is appalling”.

It added: “Considering the money that has been spent on not only increasing amounts of council tax, but the hundreds of thousands of pounds that the home owners have invested in the properties of North Road, which has increased the kerb appeal and also house price value of the street, to be provided with this shocking level of workmanship is an absolute insult.

“Why there has not been a new layer of tarmac is unknown. It seems we have been left with the cheapest possible option available.

“It is completely unacceptable and as tax payers we should demand the road be left in a better finish than before works were started but also to a standard that is in keeping and compliments the street.”

At the time of writing the campaign had received almost 150 signatures but despite calls for the road to be re-done, KCC has said work is finished.

A spokesman added: “We have recently completed resurfacing work in North Road, Dartford, using a new method we are trialling called Concrete Rehabilitation.

“This process involves removing the existing tarmac layer to expose the original concrete road structure. The concrete has been repaired and properly sealed, providing a road surface suitable for traffic use.

“While we appreciate the considerable visual change, this method of road maintenance is more financially economical and environmentally friendly, which will allow us to maintain more residential concrete roads than otherwise would be the case.”