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City council urged to make repairs to unsightly tarmac in historic areas

A stretch of tarmac has been laid over cobbles at the bus only entrance to University of Aberdeen
A stretch of tarmac has been laid over cobbles at the bus only entrance to University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Council has been urged to enforce rules to ensure roads in historic areas are repaired appropriately, after workers used unsightly tarmac to fix a popular cobbled route.

Residents have reacted with fury to workers repairing an uneven surface at the entrance to High Street, in Old Aberdeen, by laying down splodges of tar which are at odds with the surrounding area.

Old Aberdeen councillor Ross Grant was among those offended by the “unsuitable” remedial work and spent yesterday locked in talks with officers about resolving the issue.

Bungling council workers tar over historic Aberdeen cobbles

The latest controversy follows an incident two years ago where blundering council workers covered cobbles on the city’s Windmill Brae, which are hundreds of years old, entirely in tarmac.

Mr Grant is now eager for plans to be drawn up which will protect other historic parts of the city from being subject to similarly ill-conceived repairs.

Mr Grant said: “Like many, I was disappointed that the council has used tar on this historic cobbled street within the Old Aberdeen conservation area.

“I have asked senior officers for an explanation and it is my intention to ask officers to bring forward a protocol on how we ensure our roads are fit for purpose in our conservation areas, and that due care and consideration is given so that this doesn’t happen again.”

A council spokesman said the tarmac was laid in order to ensure the road remained safe for those using it.

He added: “The safety of pedestrians and motorists is our first priority and temporary measures have been required to make an uneven surface safe.

“Plans for a long term solution, sympathetic to the character and heritage of the site, are being prepared.

“It is anticipated this will involve the cobbles being relayed along the entire section of road.

“As this is a bus route, including for tour buses, careful planning and management will be essential to minimise disruption.”

Mr Grant said he would press officers to make sure that solution was drawn up “sooner rather than later”.

The High Street leads to Aberdeen University and some of the city’s most famed architecture such as King’s College.

The tarmac has been laid outside the B-listed Powis Gate Towers, which were erected between 1833 and 1834.