Councillors have agreed to press ahead with a package of environmental works around Aberdeen Art Gallery despite criticism from the city’s SNP group.
The administration said the transformation of the city could not be held up any further.
Members of the strategic commissioning committee met to discuss plans that would expand the existing footway around the art gallery and Cowdray Hall with new slabs and reduce the carriageway width at Schoolhill.
A two-way traffic system will be maintained.
Opposition councillors complained that too little information was provided and that the project was being carried out in stages rather than as a single coherent scheme.
SNP member David Cameron said that the £30 million art gallery renovation had been under way for years but still did not consider the impact of developments at Belmont Street and Triple Kirks.
He added: “I can’t understand why we are beginning this project so late, with so little information about the whole scheme.
“It seems like this whole thing has been cobbled together.”
The SNP moved that the whole scheme be considered as one, with a fresh business case put forward.
Administration members, however, accused the party of “dithering” and not allowing the work to move forward.
Committee convener and council co-leader Jenny Laing, said: “We have today approved the business case for a scheme that has the potential to significantly contribute to the transformation of the city centre.
“We can’t hold back development of our city.”