Speaking to The Echo on a bright and warm Friday afternoon beside the Lee, Mr Martin said he had walked the Marina countless times over the years on the old tarmacadam surface “which was very hard on the legs”.

One city councillor said it was “concerning” that plans for 217 cost-rental apartments on the former Sextant and Careys Tool Hire site on Albert Quay do not include a basement car park.

“He was a public representative of strength and stature who served the city well"