Shocked residents have told workers to “come back and do a proper job” after leaving a “black scar” on paving outside a gallery.

UK Power Networks contractors ripped up paving outside the Turner Contemporary in Margate to carry out repairs to cables over the weekend.

But instead of reinstating the slabs, a line of dark concrete was poured over the gaps.

The company has said it was a temporary measure but should have been fixed by Sunday.

Residents have expressed their shock at the construction, calling it a “black scar” on the gallery’s aesthetic and a “bodge job”.

Rob Knight, who regularly cycles past to work, told KentOnline: “I was disgusted that the lovely paved area - which cost a lot of money to do - now had this awful black scar of across it.

“If it turns out to be permanent then it certainly is a bodge job, obviously to save money.

“The council should take the contractors to task over this and have them return the area ‘as was’ as soon as possible.”

The Margate resident had commuted past the the works for week when, on Thursday last week, he noticed the removed area had been levelled.

The 71-year-old assumed this was in preparation for the paving to be put back – but on Sunday he noticed the black mismatched flooring.

“I was quite impressed that they stacked the lifted setts to one side at first - I assumed for reinstatement at the end.

“As time went on they moved onto the harbour arm lifting and stacking the paving slabs.

“All looked fine and I felt that the contractors would do a professional job.”

He posted a picture of the work to social media, sparking outcry among other residents.

Natasha Parker commented: “That looks awful! Surely it should be left how it originally was.”

Clive Richards joked: “Maybe it’s a new outdoor art installation.”

Not everyone was so critical of UK Power Networks, however.

Chaska Pritchard added: “Is it really that much of a big deal? It's fixed.

“There is a hell of a lot worse going on than a mismatched path.”

Mr Knight added: “To a certain extent, social media is an ideal way to highlight issues like this to others and the local councillors.

“This matter shouldn’t be allowed to rest and I trust that deputy leader Cllr Whitehead will keep on top of the issue and get it rectified as soon as possible.”

Cllr Helen Whitehead weighed in on the issue and reassured that it is temporary.

In a Facebook post, the Labour representative said: “Council officers will be visiting today.

“They believe this to be a temporary repair and will ensure that paving is replaced.”

Ward councillor Rob Yates (Lab) also spoke out when the issue first came to light, urging UK Power Networks to fix it.

In a tweet, he wrote: “Please can you come back to Margate and do the job properly, this is directly outside the Turner Contemporary art gallery.

“Have some respect.”

It prompted a response from the electricity board, with an employee saying: “Thank you for flagging this.

“I have raised this with the appropriate department.

“Unfortunately, the team don't work over the weekend, so it will get picked up Monday.

“It will be put back to normal as soon as we can.”

A spokesman added: “To keep the impact to a minimum, a temporary reinstatement was carried out last week in Rendezvous, Margate.

“A permanent reinstatement is being arranged to our usual high standards.

“We have remained in contact with the local authority about these arrangements throughout our work.”