Damaged pavements, blocked drains, dangerous lampposts, missing road signs and scruffy shops have all come under the scrutiny of the Sheerness Town Team.

They discovered lampposts and electrical boxes with cables exposed to the public; cobbles so loose they could be removed from the road by fingers; a damaged kerb stone; missing or poorly repaired paving slabs; drains blocked by rubbish, and leaking gutters.

Chairman John Nurden said: “One of the biggest complaints about Sheerness in the recent SheppeyProud survey was the town looked dirty and unloved.

“So we conducted our own inspection on Sunday morning to record every fault, which can now be reported to the proper channels.”

Five members walked the length of the High Street, Trinity Road and the Broadway, logging problems to create a town audit.

Mr Nurden said: “We knew the pavements all need a deep clean from Swale council to remove the grime and chewing gum.

“But we were shocked to discover the dangerous state some of the lampposts have been left in.

“Inspection hatches were insecure and at one electrical junction box we found the door held shut just by sticky tape.

“It is incredible statutory bodies can allow any town to be left in a condition like this.

“It should not be down to volunteers to have to check up on such matters.

“We will be sending our dossier to all those responsible and will expect immediate action.

“Residents and businesses deserve a better standard than this. This is what we pay our council tax and business rates for.”

The team, comprising shopkeeper James McKenzie, teacher Paul Murray, Cllr Richard Darby and Sheppey carnival’s Bob McCall, discovered blocked drains outside Bon Marche and the Sheerness Times Guardian offices.

They also found:

• Traffic lights in Millennium Way out of phase, leading to unnecessary traffic delays
• Outdated brown tourist signs to the long-closed Bistro restaurant still on posts
• Confusing road signs in Trinity Road
• Badly maintained shopfronts in need of painting
• Damaged barriers which also need repainting
• Faded or missing signs warning that Sheerness town centre is an alcohol control zone. There is a £500 penalty for anyone drinking alcohol in public in the Broadway, High Street and the gardens between Holy Trinity Church and the former council offices.

This week Cllr Mick Galvin (Ukip) said the borough council was to reinstate the signs for the alcohol control zone.

The town team also noted the state of the former water tower and the danger to youngsters who can climb in through the windows.

Mr Nurden warned: “The condition of the water tower is now very dangerous.

“The owner has been asked to secure all windows but the boards have been pulled off again, allowing children to play inside.

“The floors and ceilings are in a terrible state. It is a disaster waiting to happen.”