A "cobbles for cobbles" £1.25 million town square revamp has been branded a "waste of money" by local residents."

People living in Sandwich, Kent, say the local council has wasted money on the development that went £250,000 over budget.

The only public consultation over the scheme was held in 2018 when the idea was first conceived.

Building works were not started until last September.

Now people living in the market town with a population of around 5,000 say the community’s priorities around council expenditure have changed since the pandemic.

Beyond the repaving, Dover District Council and Kent County Council have also installed a new bus stop that has prompted safety concerns.

The local authorities say the idea behind the project was to make the area the "focal point" for the local community and to "positively enhance the public realm, creating better access and the potential for increased footfall."

But Sandwich resident Lorraine Smith is among many who believe the project has failed to deliver.

She said: "It’s a real shame Sandwich has spent a lot of money on replacing cobbles with cobbles."

"The bus shelter has also been changed to one that people cannot really sit on."

"It seems to have gone hideously over budget, taken a lot of time, and what was promised to the residents of the town has not actually materialised."

"There was a public consultation in 2018, however, people change, demographics change and priorities change."

"We have had a worldwide pandemic and everybody’s priorities have changed, yet the money was still spent without a new consultation."

Victoria Cleary-Ford, who also lives in Sandwich, said the new surfacer has not added any value to the area.

She said: "They are just brighter, greyer-looking cobbles, so what is the improvement?"

"There is no added value to this and there are other things in the town we desperately need."

"We have got more houses being built and we just do not have the facilities."

"People who live in Sandwich are visiting Deal’s foodbank and you are telling me this is a priority for our council to spend money on?"

"It is not really bringing anything to Sandwich. I do not see any tourists flocking here, so what is the added value?"

"My biggest concern is the moved bus stop is now an accident waiting to happen," she said."

"I was walking my dog the other day and nearly got knocked over because it is a blind corner. It is just dangerous."

Concerns about the bus stop were raised in February, before the project was completed.

Tarmac was poured over the pull-in previously used by buses, and it was moved onto the carriageway further up the road.

Council chiefs say the new position was designed to ease congestion, but some suggest it has done the opposite.

Fellow Sandwich resident Roy Elliot said: "It is badly thought out and dangerous. "

"They have been put in the wrong position."

"When there is a bus, a queue of people, and people trying to get past and across the road, it is dangerous and just does not make sense."

"It is ridiculous and a disgrace really. Did anybody think it out?"

However, some shoppers backed the square’s new design.

Claire Goodall said: "I like the open feel and think it lends itself to being able to walk freely around."

"Now seeing the open space, it feels like a piazza. I am impressed with it – I was doubtful."

"I am not sure it was worth the money; I am 50/50 on it because I am not entirely convinced that residents and [Sandwich town] council had much say on what went on."

"I do not think Dover District Council is visible enough here to really see what we need."

"During the pandemic, a lot of people came away from newsprint and went online and they became much more aware of national and local news," she said."

"During Covid, I really observed an uplift in the number of people commenting on local things."

"I am not sure it would have gone any other way, but some residents may have felt more listened to."

Sandwich man David May said he feels safer walking over the cobbles.

He said: "I really like it and I think it was worth the money. "

"I have trouble with my feet and it is a lot easier to walk on now."

"The added trees are great, but I do think more seating is needed."

Market stallholders were relieved to be back on the forecourt, after the revamp works meant they had to pitch up in a nearby car park.

Sally Pitcher, who runs Hunger Buster Bakes, said: "We spent some time in the car park which was fine, but it was a little bit bleak."

"It is wonderful to be back on the square. Everything looks so nice."

"This is where the market should be and I hope it gets bigger and people do come and support it because it is a case of use it or lose it."

"I personally think it looks great."

Tracy Hadley-Lawrence, who has run a plant stall at the market for 12 years,
She said: "It is much brighter and open."

"There should be more stalls soon so we will hopefully get more footfall which is what we need. It should be more buzzing then."

"I personally think the cobbles are too light but I am a history buff so I liked the darker cobbles, but that is just my personal opinion. It does brighten it up a bit."

"I think it could have been done a bit cheaper, but I do not know as I am not a builder."

More than £1million has been spent on the refurb, and contributions included £400,000 from Dover District Council, £350,000 from Sandwich Town Council via a public works loan, an R&A Open Legacy contribution of £75,000, £25,000 from Discovery Park, plus a Kent County Council highway contribution.

A spokesman for Dover District Council confirmed the total cost of the project increased to £1.25m, from the estimated £1 million.

He said in a statement: "The work has created a larger, more accessible and more flexible public space, and the area has already been used for a number of fantastic events in Sandwich."

"We have continued to work with Sandwich Town Council and the local community to keep them informed of the project."

"This has included a drop-in session and leaflets in the town, and information through the DDC website, Keep Me Posted email updates, press releases and newsletters."

"The project was promoted by Sandwich Town Team as part of the Vision for Sandwich."

He added: "The design for the highways work around the bus stop was undertaken by the highway authority, KCC, and has been the subject of a safety audit to ensure the design meets highways safety standards."