A raised zebra crossing installed just three months ago is being ripped out over concerns it is too high.

The ramped crossing point in Bybrook Road, Kennington, was only introduced in February as part of a ‘Twenty is Plenty’ speed limit scheme to drive out ‘rat-run’ motorists.

The whole project cost more than £30,000 and has seen the speed limit reduced to 20mph on 40 roads in the area, with new signs and road markings introduced.

However contractors are now having to construct the crossing again after safety checks found issues with the height and gradient of the ramps.

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: “In February we installed a raised table at the existing zebra crossing as part of our 20mph scheme and commitment to improve health, wellbeing and road safety in Bybrook Road, Kennington.

“Scheme completion checks identified some issues with the construction of the raised table, particularly in terms of the table height and ramp gradients.

“These remedial works will allow our crew to reconstruct the crossing to the correct specification during the half-term, minimising disruption as much as possible.

“The cost of the remedial work will be met by our contractor and not KCC.”

Part of Bybrook Road around the crossing – which sits on a bus route between Grasmere Road and Belmont Road – has been closed this week and is not set to reopen until Sunday.

In the meantime, a diversion route is in place via A28 Canterbury Road, A2042 Faversham Road and The Pasture.

Deputy leader of the Ashford Labour group and ward councillor for Bockhanger, Cllr Diccon Spain, says having the road closed again has been frustrating for residents.

“This sort of thing shouldn’t be happening,” he said.

“It has caused a lot of consternation among residents, understandably they are irritated as it has caused the closure of the road again.

“Things like this should have been done properly the first time round.

“I have sent an email to Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) who has already said he is going to find out what’s going on prior to the joint transportation board meeting at Ashford Borough Council next week.

“No residents have expressed concerns about the height or gradient to me, that’s not to say nobody had a problem, but nobody has mentioned it to me.”

The traffic calming scheme was jointly funded between the local transport plan, combined members grants, Kennington Parish Council and Ashford Borough Council.

Buses running on Stagecoach’s B route are currently following the diversion route.