A subway has been thrust into the centre of a row over who is responsible for keeping it clean.

A subway has been thrust into the centre of a row over who is responsible for keeping it clean.

The subway, which runs under Gants Hill roundabout, was described as being in a “disgusting state” during a meeting of area committee four, held in William Torbitt Primary School, Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park, last week.

It was revealed Redbridge Council is in the middle of contesting Transport for London’s (TfL’s) claims it is no longer responsible for regularly cleaning the subway.

Conservative Cllr Ruth Clark, who has long championed the soon to be complete roundabout roadworks nearby, said: “I’ve asked Cllr Michelle Dunn [cabinet member for environment and highways] to contest that.

“We’re trying to come to an agreement to have regular powerwashing done in the subway.”

TfL has told council chiefs it will powerwash the subway once a year.

It was also revealed the subway will be cleaned ahead of next week’s visit by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

He is coming to Gants Hill to celebrate the completion of the area’s notorious roadworks.

Cllr Clark told the meeting council bosses were looking at cleaning the subway every two weeks, but with cash tight, she said using a “bucket and water” instead of expensive washing equipment was being looked at.

“We will get this sorted, I promise. I won’t leave it,” she added.

Commuters and shoppers who use the subway claim its walls and drains are filthy and stained, despite it being revamped earlier this year as part of multi-million pound TfL improvements to Gants Hill.

Adding her weight to the call to have regular subway cleaning, Conservative Cllr Tania Solomon said: “We will keep pursuing this.”