Council chiefs in Aberdeen have said they are urgently looking to fix botched works which resulted in historic city centre cobbles being tarmacked over.
The Medieval stones on Windmill Brae were covered over the weekend, provoking an angry response from residents.
Last night council finance convener Willie Young stressed the work had been intended to secure loose cobblestones on a temporary basis, but a more permanent – and fitting – solution is now being looked at as a “matter of urgency”.
He said: “Following safety concerns raised by local businesses and Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council took action to resurface a small part of the city’s Windmill Brae.
“The work was necessary to secure loose cobblestones on the carriageway, which were a potential hazard for pedestrians.
“The repair was intended to be temporary and carried out on a trial basis. However, the appearance of that part of the street has fallen short of the standards we expect, and the tar is to be removed.
“A permanent solution in keeping with Windmill Brae’s historic streetscape is being planned as a matter of urgency.”
But SNP group leader Stephen Flynn called for “immediate action”.
He said: “Less than a week after the council leader launched ‘Operation Rejuvenate Union Street’ we are seeing what can only be described as the ‘Vandalism of Windmill Brae’.
“The public are well used to Labour cobbling together terrible ideas but this latest episode is simply a disgrace, and immediate action must be taken to remedy the situation.”
A council spokeswoman said the repairs had not yet been costed.
She added: “Tar is removed from cobbles using an infra-red heater which effectively melts it, and it is then scraped off before being grit blasted.”