Months after receiving significant national and local media attention, the full cost of the works on 'Custard Corner' have been revealed.

The closed section of Station Road has drawn a large amount of criticism after being repainted yellow as part of works to make the closure more permanent.

The closure of the town centre road had already proved controversial, with locals split on whether it should have remained shut after the pandemic.

In the spring Warwickshire County Council released a statement saying it had earmarked £42,000 for the project to "renew and refresh" the area.

Works to renovate Station Road attracted national media interest (image via SWNS)

However, a freedom of information request has now revealed the "vile", "nauseating" and "overpowering" new look for Station Road actually cost £53,020.

The works were paid for using a councillor's delegated budget - money they are assigned for projects in their local area.

The council did not give a full breakdown of the costs saying "we believe the release of this information would allow the identification of the rates paid to contractors".

Residents have previously criticised the cash-strapped council for wasting thousands of pounds of taxpayers' cash on painting a "gigantic double yellow line". 

WCC had originally said £42,000 was set aside for the Station Road works (image via SWNS)

Neighbouring coffee shop Morning Sunshine also poked fun at Station Road on April Fools Day, joking customers it was the yellow-themed cafe's new outdoor seating area.

The area has since become a 'tourist attraction' with ratings on Google Maps.

It also featured on BBC One's Have I got News For You and was the arena for a sensational fundraising marathon by local man Ian Beasley.

The new pavement was also dug up for the new bollards to be installed (image via SWNS)

Earlier this year, Benjamin Elks, grassroots development officer at the Taxpayers Alliance, said: "Taxpayers will be left wondering why £42,000 was spent turning a high street into custard corner.  

"This kind of spending does nothing for local services and everything for council PR.

"Councils should be focused on fixing potholes and emptying bins, not splashing cash on bizarre paint jobs."

Station Road first closed in 2020 as a temporary measure during the Covid-19 pandemic to allow better social distancing by preventing pedestrians crowding near the junction with Warwick Road. 

Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) then requested the closure become permanent. 

A consultation was launched through Warwickshire County Council and the closure was signed off in 2023. 

Morning Sunshine joked the area was its new outdoor seating area (image via SWNS)

A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said in April: "The initial closure of Station Road, Kenilworth was funded by government and implemented to assist with social distancing and encourage outdoor seating during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"When restrictions were lifted, it was identified that the area would still benefit from improvements to further enhance the space for pedestrians, so £42,000 was allocated from the delegated budget to renew and refresh the old road surface; the yellow surfacing was chosen as the most cost-effective option. 

"While some drop kerbs are placed for wheeled mobility users, this particular kerb is lowered to manage drainage issues around the estate agent's side door, which has a low threshold. 

"Additional drop kerbs are in place to allow access for wheeled mobility users."