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Iconic olive green tiles at Sloane Square tube station have been replaced with white ones - sparking outrage from commuters.

The 1980s tiles were changed as part of a recent refurbishment by London Underground.

But many Tube users have criticised the station's new look, suggesting some of its architectural character has been lost.

Greg Hands tweeted: "What a waste by TfL to replace the perfectly fine olive green tiles at Sloane Square with charmless white ones."

Sarah Naughton said: "Alas the characterful green tiles at Sloane Square have been smashed off and replaced with boring white. Thanks TfL."

Alas the characterful green tiles at Sloane Square have been smashed off and replaced with boring white. Thanks @TfL pic.twitter.com/hsi28aVtuS — Sarah Naughton (@SarahJNaughton) June 9, 2015

Another tweeter said: "It's sad to see the green tiles at Sloane Square go. Looks like TfL are replacing them with white ones."

And Nick Loney simply wrote: "We cannot take this lying down".

A spokeswoman for the Chelsea Society said it had opposed the removal of the tiles during a consultation with TfL.

She said: "The Society feels strongly that the distinctive green and white “garden trellis” tiling should be retained, or replaced by new tiles in the same colours and pattern."

Transport for London defended the decision to replace the tiles, saying they were "smarter, brighter and much more welcoming to customers".

Hi @TfL @districtline sad to see iconic avocado green tiles being replaced at Sloane Square! pic.twitter.com/OZOO8iwTxO — sumant singh bhatia (@sumantbhatia) June 10, 2015

The transport authority said it had received support for the design from local resident associations.

It said some of the station's equipment, such as its CCTV systems, had also been replaced as part of the refurbishment.

Gareth Powell, London Underground's director of strategy and service, said: “We place great value on our rich and varied heritage and we gave a lot of consideration to the features at Sloane Square ahead of its much needed refurbishment.

What a waste by @TfL to replace the perfectly fine olive green tiles at Sloane Square with charmless white ones. pic.twitter.com/9YYXpltRza — Greg Hands (@GregHands) June 19, 2015

"This has given Sloane Square a complete and consistent design throughout the station as well as making it smarter, brighter and much more welcoming to customers."