Appeals have been made to improve the state of a tunnel beneath Ashford International.

Walkers who use the underpass say it is so dark and dingy it would put them off walking there alone.

The tunnel, which runs alongside the Great Stour and leads to Newtown Road, is covered in graffiti, scattered with litter, and is dark and overgrown with weeds.

David O’Brien lives in the town and uses the short cut several times a week. He said: “It is a total disgrace down there. There is graffiti on the walls, rubbish on the floors and paint splattered everywhere.

“It really needs some cleaning. There are two trolleys in the river. It doesn’t look like the council ever come down here.

“I don’t think a lot of women like to use it. I know I wouldn’t like my daughter coming down here.

“I can’t imagine a lot of people wanting to come to Ashford if this is the first thing they see.”

Mum-of-two Charlotte Taylor, from South Willesborough, says she avoids walking through the underpass at all costs.

“The tunnel is terrifying. I have two children and often choose the long way around instead.

“I think it needs more lighting as it is quite dangerous. There is a gap by the river in the railings which really scares me, especially as a lot of school children walk through here.

“It smells, the lights flicker and it is really eerie.

Mr O’Brien suggested cameras in the tunnel might be a good idea to make people feel safer.

The underpass is the joint responsibility of Network Rail, which takes care of the structure and electricity supply to lights, and Kent County Council, which is responsible for the paths.

Plans were revealed last week by bosses at McArthurGlen to nearly double the size of Ashford Designer Outlet, meaning more possible footfall through the underpass.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We have recently removed graffiti from the local area and are aware of calls to help improve the tunnel with lighting.

“We would be happy to work with the local authority to make this happen so the underpass and surrounding area are more pleasant for local people.”