Concerns about the standard of pointing work in the newly reopened Union Terrace Gardens have been dismissed as “comparing apples with oranges” by the city’s top project manager.
Trade union reps raised concerns on Thursday while Aberdonians eagerly awaited the opening of the new-look Victorian gardens.
For months, they have flagged pointing work on the granite blocks surrounding the sunken park (UTG) as being sub-par.
E-mails detailing the work have been shared with city councillors and the press a number of times before meetings where key updates on the £30 million refurbishment have been expected.
The latest e-mail from Aberdeen Trades Union Council members urged corrections as “it’s not work you would find acceptable if this were the entrance to your own property”.
Union Terrace Gardens: Council chief hits out at pointing criticism
But earlier this month, the local authority’s chief capital officer John Wilson appeared to have had enough of that emailing “trend”.
In the messages, seen by The P&J, UTG brickwork is presented side-by-side with more modern cement pointing.
But the historically-protected city centre gardens – first opened in 1879 – required traditional lime mortar to be used.
Mr Wilson told councillors, on December 7: “We’re comparing apples with oranges, I am being advised.
“In a nutshell, what’s been specified in UTG is a lime mortar [not cement]. I am no expert on lime mortars but it is required and specified.
“It’s not simply enough to take a picture of somewhere else in the city and compare them, it’s not comparing like with like.
“And, as a generalisation, if it’s not done right, it will be rectified.”
UTG snagging list will be addressed
Before the opening on December 22, council bosses walked the gardens with city planners, council conservation experts and an “advanced level, accredited conservation architect” employed by the main contractor Balfour Beatty.
Mr Wilson said a “small number” of problems were logged as “exceptions” in contrast to an otherwise “generally contented” visit.
At the beginning of December, work was already underway to address those issues.
And the local authority is expected to work with Balfour Beatty for months to come to address any required snagging should troubles arise.
Commissioning director Gale Beattie said: “I understand the issue pointing can sometimes be high in the public mind because it’s very visible.
“But pointing of historic stonework is a very highly regulated part of listed building consent.
“It does look different in Union Terrace Gardens. The pointing doesn’t look as bedded in as it would have before.
“But I can give assurance that the team involved are making sure that listed building consent has been complied with.”
Brickwork a ‘pointing of contention’ on Aberdeen City Council
Officials pledged to prepare a brief for councillors, outlining the required specification for the historical brickwork.
Last year, SNP city centre spokesman Michael Hutchison drew ire from the outgoing Labour, Conservative and independent administration by criticising similar lime mortar pointing at the refurbished Provost Skene’s House.
Staff working on the £3.8m were said to be “distraught” after his comments.
The standards watchdog cleared the George Street and Harbour councillor of any wrongdoing.
This article was behind door 24 of our Union Terrace Gardens advent calendar – as we tracked how close to Christmas we would get before being allowed to set foot in the new-look UTG.
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