Granite City residents fear that its centre risks losing its sparkle due to “huge splodges” of tarmac which have been laid in place of paving stones following repairs.
Aberdeen City Centre Community Council claims the black substance has left scenic spots looking “a mess”.
The group’s chairman, Dustin Macdonald, said the tarmac left at South Silver Street, Diamond Street and Broad Street looks out of place among flagstone paving slabs and traditional cobbles.
It is understood that many of the deposits have been left behind by utility companies following underground repairs.
Aberdeen City Council last night insisted that it would chase up the firms responsible if it emerged that they were stalling in returning the city’s pavements to their previous state following the completion of work.
But Mr MacDonald argued that some of the tarmac had been causing an eysore in the centre for more than a year.
He said: “You expect the occasional bit of this here and there along the edge of pavements, for utility work, but some of it is right in the middle of pavements and it is huge splodges we are talking about.
“Some of them are very old, I’m aware of patches of it between Upper Kirkgate and Schoolhill that have been there for at least 12 months.”
Mr Macdonald said the problem was especially infuriating at a time when significant efforts are being made to make the heart of the city a more appealing place to visit.
The Nuart festival has drawn people into the centre to marvel at large-scale works of art emblazoned on buildings, and the community council has organised a project to revamp Skene Street.
He added: “There are many efforts going on to make the place look attractive to visitors, and everyone is trying to tidy the centre up.
“There are complaints that the buildings look a mess, but what about the paths we walk on?”
A spokeswoman for the local authority said officers will investigate the concerns and take action where appropriate.
She said: “A roads inspector will inspect the areas.
“If necessary, the city council will continue to pursue utility companies to carry out the permanent reinstatement of these areas within the statutory time period.”
