A new mile-long cycle path between Herne Bay and Whitstable has been branded a waste of taxpayers’ money as hundreds of cracks have already appeared.

The route along the Old Thanet Way opened in April this year after four months of construction, replacing an overgrown and impassable footpath.

But residents have hit out at the state of the path, with one counting 233 splits in the surface – some as wide as three inches.

Sean Beaver told the Gazette: “At this rate the new path will be unusable in the next few months.”

Kent County Council led the project as part of a wider programme of improvements costing more than £300,000.

The affected area is a stretch between Herne Bay’s Household Waste Recycling Centre in Westbrook Lane and the Garden X garden centre in Chestfield.

Mr Beaver, an antiques dealer from Greenhill, regularly cycles on the path to visit his brother in Whitstable.

The 44-year-old first began to notice the intertwining cracks four weeks ago and has since watched them increase in size and number.

He has also noticed the edging of the path crumbling, and has taken photographs and video showing the scale of the damage.

“It is really disappointing because that path is such a benefit," he said.

“Originally it was just a footpath. This is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

The affected area overlaps two Canterbury City Council wards - Chestfield and Greenhill.

Greenhill councillor Dan Watkins says the track had originally been impassable but since the cycle path’s completion has become a well-used route for pedestrians, cyclists, buggies and mobility scooters.

“I was very disappointed to see the cracks in the path and have reported them previously to KCC, including the county councillor for the area,” he said.

“I understand that such paths have a two-year warranty on them, precisely because underlying soil will expand and contract through the 12-month seasonal cycle following construction, making cracks very possible.

“As such, the contractor will be asked to repair these sections.”

A spokesman added: “We are aware of damage to the path caused by clay ground conditions in the area and will be carrying out repairs to ensure the path is safe.

“We will also work with our contractors to find a more permanent solution.”