A council has been accused of putting savings before safety over a dingy town centre underpass kept in darkness.

The lights in the subway under Fairmeadow, Maidstone, near Drakes bar, have not worked for more than six months.

Kent County Council (KCC) says some parts of the underground lighting were damaged “beyond repair” during flooding and “industry-wide delays” had put back much-needed contractor works.

But Cllr Stuart Jeffery, Green Party councillor for Bridge Ward, has accused KCC of a lack of urgency over the issue.

He said: “While we can all see the dire state that KCC are in, made blindingly obvious by the state of our roads, I am really quite concerned that not only are KCC failing to fix things but they are also not prioritising the things that need fixing.”

“This is a busy subway and one of the three walking routes from West Maidstone into town. It is the only cycle route from that direction.

Cllr Jeffery added: “I have had regular email discussions with KCC and they keep telling me that work is progressing, but it cannot realistically take six months to fix lighting.

“I know this is more than changing the bulb, but they are clearly dragging their feet to save money.

“I know the roads are a mess and I know they need fixing, but KCC need to prioritise safe areas to walk.”

A KCC spokesman said: “Due to previous flooding in the subway, some parts integral to the lighting have been damaged beyond repair.

“Replacement parts were ordered, but industry-wide delays have meant the wait for a reinstatement of the lighting has taken longer than we would have hoped.

“This is unfortunately outside of KCC’s control, and we will work urgently with our contractor to carry out the work once we receive the parts we need.”