Residents blast Edinburgh council over 'shoddy' pavement job on historic street

Homeowners living in the sought-after colonies in Abbeyhill say they are appalled after “haphazard” pavement works carried out on behalf of the council left their street looking like a motorway.

Residents of Maryfield were horrified earlier this month when they stepped outside to find black tarmac had been laid on the pavement outside their homes.

Pictures of the work, which was carried out by contractor Kiely Bros on behalf of Edinburgh council, show how several manholes were left covered in tarmac, leaving them inaccessible, as well as spatters on the stone work and spillage on the curb stones.

Spatters of material were left on the road | Supplied

Mark and Alix, a couple who moved to the street in 2024, said they were shocked at the poor finish of the repairs, as well as how the tarmac jarred with the historic surroundings.

“The way they left it was so haphazard, like they’d just slapped it down and left,” said Alix, who didn’t want to disclose her last name.

“It didn’t look good before, but now it looks worse.

“There are people here who own their own properties and now they're in a position where they are a bit gutted that their home looks so shoddily put together.”

Concerns were raised after several of the manholes on the street were covered. Remedial works to uncover the ironwork was later carried out | Supplied

Mark, who works in construction, said the quality of the work is unacceptable.

“Being a contractor myself, if someone was to produce work like that, it just wouldn’t be accepted.

“They would be made to go back and redo it and cover the costs of that.

He added: “Even just from a safety perspective, you can't tarmac over your access hatches.”

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He also said the pavement was too rough a texture, and slurry pavements would usually have a speckle added to stop them looking like a motorway.

The 32-year-olds said they are concerned such poor quality works are eroding the historic beauty of the capital, with similar black tarmac cropping up elsewhere in the city, including in St Andrew Square.

“People come for the history of the city, and it feels like the council is just cutting corners,” said Alix.

“If people aren’t going to stand up to what the council is getting away with then it will just continue,” she added.

Residents complained the pavement left the street looking like a motorway | Supplied

After the residents complained, remedial works were carried out at the site to uncover the ironworks.

However, Alix and Mark say the finish and aesthetics of the repairs remain substandard, and are asking for the section to be redone.

In response, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, transport and environment convener, said: “We’re continuing our work programme to fix our pavements across the city.

“With this type of treatment, the quality of the works is generally in line with what would be expected.

“Any minor defects will be fed back to the contractor for rectification at no further cost to the council.”

Kiely Bros has been contacted for comment.