The Dundee City Council project was meant to transform the area around McManus into an attractive meeting place for local people with pedestrianisation, using expensive materials, a key feature.

But some drivers appear determined to ignore warning signs at both ends of the pedestrian area and are continuing to drive past the gallery as if its makeover had never taken place.

They also seem to think that the wide-open spaces are a fine place to leave their vehicles.

City development convener Councillor Will Dawson appealed to drivers to give the work that’s been done some thought or face the prospect of police intervention.

“I’d really want to say to them, please don’t do it. Don’t drive over the pedestrian area and leave your car there,” he said.

“We have spent an absolute fortune turning the McManus and Albert Square into a fantastic space and vehicles aren’t going to help at all.

“It’s a pedestrianised area and isn’t designed or built to take frequent or heavy traffic. We’re also trying to improve access to McManus from the south side and we’ve tried to give it a pleasant aspect. If drivers are using it indiscriminately, that will do nothing to help.

“Drivers should pay a bit more attention. If it keeps getting worse, then we might have to speak to the police.”

Councillor Dawson said police were paying particular attention just now to nearby Commercial Street following a number of complaints. The force usually liked to give changes to a road system time to “bed in” before taking a sterner line.

He added, “It might be that we will have to speak to the police about Albert Square and that’s something we can do quite easily.”

A council spokeswoman added, “There are No Entry signs in place at either end of the pedestrian area in front of the McManus Galleries entrance. It would be helpful if anyone who witnesses any vehicles travelling along this area reported this to the police.”

The McManus/Albert Square project was conceived in 1990 as a key part of a long-term programme of public realm improvements across the city centre.

It is the culmination of a 20-year regeneration scheme designed to reinforce Dundee’s position as a major regional economic centre, to change the image of the city and promote retail performance and investment.

Work started more than three years ago but the end is now in sight, with the gallery due to open to the public on February 28 followed by a high-profile, formal opening later in the year.

Funding for the £11.8 million upgrade has come from a range of sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, the council and Historic Scotland.

In addition to the extensive environmental improvements to Albert Square, a new reception area has been created in the museum, including a shop and a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.

On the ground floor the layout of the exhibits has been designed to allow visitors to travel 400 million years, from the geological origins of the land on which Dundee would be built right up to the present day.