Friends of Riverside Nature Park AGM #dundeewestend

The Friends of Riverside Nature Park AGM is on Tuesday 24th September and takes place at Campy Growers in Camperdown Park at 7pm.

More details in the poster - all welcome!

Temporary Traffic Order - Sycamore Place

Having long-campaigned for road resurfacing in Sycamore Place which - as the photo shows - has a really poor road surface, we were pleased to recently receive the following Temporary Traffic Order from the City Council :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of carriageway resurfacing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Sycamore Place (for its full length), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 16th September 2024 for five working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Vehicular access for residents will be maintained where possible.

A diversion route is available via Balgay Road and Scott Street.

For further information contact 07939 282882.

Executive Director

City Development Department,

Dundee City Council

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s ward surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

University of Dundee Archives Open Day #dundeewestend

The University of Dundee Archives is having an Open Day tomorrow - Thursday 12 September.

Drop in 10am-1pm or 2pm-4.30pm for a chance to see some of the amazing archives relating to the history of Dundee, Scotland and beyond.

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – West End roads affected :

+ City Road (Blyth Street to Milnbank Gardens) – closed until Monday 9 September;

+ City Road/Tullideph Road junction – temporary traffic lights from Sunday 8 September for 2 weeks; and

+ Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from Sunday 8 September for 5 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 10 months for third party works.

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 9 September for one week for street lighting works.

Kirsty Semple Way (at Tom McDonald Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 9 September for one week for fibre ducting works.

West Park Road – closed between Blackness Road and Beechwood Terrace from Monday 9 September for one week for carriageway resurfacing. There will be intermittent temporary traffic lights on Blackness Road during this time to facilitate works vehicles for accessing/egressing the site.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (Hawkhill to Shepherds Loan) – closed eastbound from 9.00am on Tuesday 17 September to 6.00am on Wednesday 18 September for Scottish Water work.

Lower Pleasance (Lochee Road to Brewery Lane) – closed from Wednesday 18 September for 4 weeks for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Blackness Road (at Glamis Road) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Wednesday 18 September to 6.00am on Thursday 19 September for Scottish Water work.

Hawkhill (Perth Road to Bellfield Street) – off‑peak stop/go traffic control from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September for carriageway lining works.

Hawkhill (Bellfield Street to Hunter Street) – off‑peak lane closures from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October for carriageway lining works.

Sycamore Place - closed for its entire length from Monday 23 September for 5 days for carriageway resurfacing.

Perth Road (at Union Place) – temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 24 September for one week for Scottish Water work.

Rosebery Street (Pitfour Street to Cleghorn Street) – closed Monday 30 September for 8 days for Scottish Water work.

Fairtrade Fortnight - 9th September – 22nd September

Fraser is a member of the Dundee Fairtrade Forum and is pleased that Dundee is again participating in Fairtrade Fortnight that runs from tomorrow - 9th September - until 22nd September.

The Fairtrade Forum has encouraged local schools, churches and community groups to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. This year, it is 30 years since products with the Fairtrade mark first appeared on shelves in the UK.

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, the University of Dundee is holding a curry tasting event this coming Wednesday - 11th September - at 12 noon - all welcome!

Digital Skills Training for people over 65

AbilityNet and telecommunications company BT Group are working in partnership to help improve the digital skills of older and digitally excluded people across the UK.

Over the last year it has delivered free training to over 5 000 older people across the UK through local trainers that it has employed to deliver the sessions.    It already operates in Glasgow and Edinburgh but will now be adding Dundee, Aberdeen, Perth and surrounding areas for this year’s sessions.

The aims are not only to provide free training but to help older people become more confident using technology, feel less lonely and isolated and better able to manage their day-to-day life online by participating in new activities.

If you would benefit from this free offer, please see www.abilitynet.org.uk/free-tech-support-and-info/digital-skills-training-people-over-65-individual-application which gives contact details to book a free training session.

Scrapantics Family Fun Day

Come and explore the wonderful worlds of art and science in the Scrapantics Family Fun Day - exciting hands-on activities suitable for all.

All welcome :

+ Free and drop in

+ Saturday 7th September

+ 11am - 3pm

+ Scrapantics community space, top floor in the Wellgate Centre

More details are available at www.facebook.com/events/491218323841459

West End Thursday surgeries today - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Corso Street Complex - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, back in April, we pointed out that tenants with mobility difficulties who use the Corso Street sheltered lounge and access it using the path down from the lock-ups above had no handrail to hold onto walking up and down the slope.

We asked the City Council to consider installing a handrail which was agreed.

We are pleased to say that this has now been installed as the "before" and "after" photographs show.

West End Tuesday surgeries today - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks.   This is how it affects the West End Ward : 

• Ancrum Road/Glamis Road/Sutherland Place – temporary traffic lights until Tuesday 3 September; and

• City Road (Blyth Street to Milnbank Gardens) – closed for one week followed by:

• City Road/Tullideph Road junction – temporary traffic lights from Sunday 8 September for 2 weeks; and

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from Sunday 8 September for 5 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 10 months for third party works.

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks for street lighting works.

Kirsty Semple Way (at Tom McDonald Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks for fibre ducting works.

West Park Road – closed between Blackness Road and Beechwood Terrace from Monday 2 September for 10 days for carriageway resurfacing.  There will be intermittent temporary traffic lights on Blackness Road during this time to facilitate works vehicles for accessing/egressing the site.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (Hawkhill to Shepherds Loan) – closed eastbound from 9.00am on Tuesday 17 September to 6.00am on Wednesday 18 September for Scottish Water work.

Lower Pleasance (Lochee Road to Brewery Lane) – closed from Wednesday 18 September for 4 weeks for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Hawkhill (Perth Road to Bellfield Street) – off‑peak stop/go traffic control from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September for carriageway lining works.

Hawkhill (Bellfield Street to Hunter Street) – off‑peak lane closures from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October for carriageway lining works.

Sycamore Place - closed for its entire length from Monday 23 September for 5 days for carriageway resurfacing.

Perth Road (at Union Place) – temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 24 September for one week for Scottish Water work.

Rosebery Street (Pitfour Street to Cleghorn Street) – closed Monday 30 September for 8 days for Scottish Water work.

Connecting Carers Café #dundeewestend

The Connecting Carers Café for carers in the West End restarts at Blackness Library on Monday 2nd September - 10.30am - 12.30pm.

The café meets every second week after that but runs a drop-in between if you need support or a chat.

For more info, please call Virginia of Dundee Carers Centre on 07515 067075.

Temporary Traffic Order - West Park Road

Having long campaigned for road resurfacing in West Park Road, we are pleased to advise of this temporary traffic order from the City Council :

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating carriageway resurfacing works.

The Order is expected to be in force for ten days from 2 September 2024. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in West Park Road from its junction with Blackness Road to its junction with Beechwood Terrace.

An alternative route will be available westbound via Blackness Road, Glamis Road, Perth Road and in reverse, and eastbound via Blackness Road, Hyndford Street, Perth Road and in reverse.

Any queries should be addressed to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or call 07939 282882.

Community Wishes

Small projects and community-driven requests can now be considered through a new scheme in Dundee.

Community Wishes, under the umbrella of Dundee City Council’s established community benefits policy, includes support for small installations, maintenance, clean-up projects, materials, volunteering time to complete projects or sponsorship.

Community Wishes involves a seven-stage process from initial idea through to evaluation including :

+ gathering wishes

+ submitting/uploading wishes

+ moderating wishes

+ approving and publishing wishes

+ directing contractors;

+ delivering and evidencing wishes and

+ evidencing and reporting

 

Local Community Planning groups and communities contacts have been given details of the scheme which is open to a wide range of voluntary groups, third sector or charity organisations, informal clubs and residents' associations.

If you have ideas for small project requests which will support your group or local area please enter a wish at https://wishes.dundeecity.gov.uk/

While the council has supported the development of the Community Wishes portal, decisions on which projects to support will be taken by individual contractors so the council cannot guarantee when and if wishes will be delivered.

The first evaluation and monitoring report on Community Wishes will be published after a year of operation.

West End Thursday surgeries today - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Lunchtime Recital from Friends of Wighton!

The Lunchtime Recital featuring Sheena Wellington will be on Tuesday 3rd September starting at 1pm in the Wighton Heritage Centre in the Central Library.

Singer Sheena is, of course, a familiar presence at the Wighton and has chosen to celebrate her 80th Birthday with a fundraiser for the Friends of Wighton Education and Outreach programme.

Sheena says :

“Please, no presents (trying to get rid of ornaments as it is), no flowers (I’m allergic), but donations will be very welcome – and there will be cake!”

Very best wishes to Sheena and all welcome at the Lunchtime Recital.

West End Tuesday surgeries today - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 26 AUGUST 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – areas in the West End Ward affected are : 

• Ancrum Road/Glamis Road/Sutherland Place – temporary traffic lights for one week; and

• City Road (Blyth Street to Milnbank Gardens) – closed for one week followed by:

• City Road/Tullideph Road junction – temporary traffic lights from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks; and

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from Monday 2 September for 5 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 10 months for third party works.

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 26 August for one week for street lighting works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Kirsty Semple Way (at Tom McDonald Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks for fibre ducting works.

West Park Road – closed between Blackness Road and Beechwood Terrace from Monday 2 September for 10 days for carriageway resurfacing.

Perth Road – closed between Hawkhill and Shepherds Loan (closed eastbound only) from 9.00am on Tuesday 17 September until 6.00am on Wednesday 18 September for ScottishWater repairs.

Perth Road (Hawkhill to Shepherds Loan) – closed eastbound from 9.00am on Tuesday 17 September to 6.00am on Wednesday 18 September for Scottish Water work.

Sycamore Place - closed for its entire length from Monday 23 September for 5 days for carriageway resurfacing.

Rosebery Street (Pitfour Street to Cleghorn Street) – closed Monday 30 September for 8 days for Scottish Water work.

Getting things done - Marchfield Road #dundeewestend

As residents know, we have repeatedly raised the poor road condition in Marchfield Road where Michael is photographed.    

Some of the poor road surface both here and in Marchfield Terrace and Marchfield Crescent we were previously advised were 'non-actionable' in terms of low pothole depth but the bottom line here is that the roads here are badly deteriorated.

We have therefore reiterated our call to the Roads Maintenance Partnership to consider inclusion of these streets in a future capital programme for resurfacing.

Hope Point – Dundee’s well-being support

Hope Point recently celebrated its first anniversary and has achieved so much in its first year.

The friendly team is available 24/7 for anyone in Dundee experiencing distress, overwhelm or suicidal thoughts.     Anyone can call, text or drop-in for face to face support.

Phone :  0800 955 0008 (freephone)

Text :  01382 604 123 (text service)

Call in :  4 South Ward Road, Dundee (drop-in)

Hope Point is here, round the clock, with a friendly face and a listening ear.

Pension Credit take-up

In February, Dundee City Council Advice Services launched a campaign with Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau and the Brooksbank Centre to maximise the income of as many citizens of Dundee as possible over the state pension age.

Since the launch of this campaign, over £1 079 431 has been paid to the citizens of Dundee in different benefits. With the average Pension Credit award being £63.51 per week.

The City Council identified and contacted households who might be entitled to Pension Credit and to reach as many people as possible, held several well attended drop-in sessions for people to get a benefits check.

Pension Credit is a payment for those whose income is less than the UK Government states someone over Pension age should receive.

Entitlement to Pension Credit depends on a person’s circumstances and looks at all the income in the household as well as savings over a certain amount. Whilst savings are considered, there is no upper threshold, so having savings does not necessarily mean there would be no entitlement.

Pension Credit also gives eligibility to free NHS dental treatment, NHS glasses, free TV License for over 75s, amongst other benefits.

The campaign is ongoing and anyone looking to get a benefits check should contact the City Council at cas@dundeecity.gov.uk or on the Older People’s Take-up Campaign line on 01382 434474.

West End Ward Thursday Surgeries #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Blackness Road #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns from residents that the "flashing" 30mph safety sign in Blackness Road approaching Balgay Road/Blackness Avenue is not functioning correctly - it is the one heading westwards - the one heading eastwards appears fine.

We took this up with the council's Road Safety Team Leader who has advised as follows :

"The signs should flash at vehicles that are travelling excess of the speed limit and I will get someone to check to make sure that they are working.

The manufacturer SWARCO will also be coming back to Dundee and I will get them to check them as well if they are faulty in any way."

West End Ward Tuesday Surgeries #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 AUGUST 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – West End Ward affected as follows : 

• Ancrum Road/Glamis Road/Sutherland Place – temporary traffic lights Saturday 17 August for one week followed by:

• City Road (Cleghorn Street to Milnbank Gardens) – closed for 2 weeks followed by:

• City Road/Tullideph Road junction – temporary traffic lights from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks followed by:

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from Monday 16 September for 5 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 10 months for third party works.

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 19 August for 2 weeks for street lighting works.

Logie Street (at Ancrum Road) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 19 August for junction lining works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Kirsty Semple Way (at Tom McDonald Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks for fibre ducting works.

Rosebery Street (Pitfour Street to Cleghorn Street) – closed Monday 30 September for 8 days for Scottish Water work.

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design Masters Show #dundeewestend #djcadmastersshow

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design’s annual Masters Show is returning from next Saturday - 24th August - until Sunday 1st September.

The show will be open from 10am to 4pm each day, with an extended late opening until 8pm on Wednesday 28th August. 

Explore a range of outstanding work across 14 varied and complex subjects.

All welcome! For more information, visit the website at https://buff.ly/3kdVxsL

Dundee Age Concern - free taster sessions

Fraser is the Vice-Chair of Dundee Age Concern that runs the long-standing Fiveways Centre in the city.

Dundee Age Concern is committed to combatting loneliness and isolation for older residents in Dundee.

If you or a family member is interested, please contact the team today.

Just call Dundee 825624.

Getting things done - Shepherd's Loan #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns about the safe crossing of Shepherd's Loan at its north end at the junction with Perth Road.

As one resident put it :

"The top of Shepherd's Loan is problematic.     Pedestrians can step into the road just as the light for traffic turns green, as there is no pedestrian light or control at all and pedestrians can't see the Shepherd's Loan light so there is no way to know the light is changing.     I've seen people step into the street just as cars are pulling off."

We raised the issue with the road safety team leader at the City Council who advised as follows :

"Urban Traffic Control (UTC) staff  have attended site inspect the situation and do recognise that there is an issue which is not ideal and the current situation is a compromise position for both pedestrians and vehicular access.  

This is very much a historic problem and the Shepherd’s loan approach is not ideal for pedestrians.  Removing or closing this approach would be beneficial for pedestrians however we are very aware that this would likely be unacceptable for local residents as egress would be prevented onto Perth Road.  

The footways on Shepherds loan are very narrow which makes it extremely challenging on locating traffic signal poles to install pedestrian signal indicators and there is also likely issues with underground public utilities.   Any pole would likely block the footway and pedestrians would have to walk on the road which is not ideal.  

On a positive note, Shepherds Loan is not heavily trafficked and speeds are low.  There has also been zero injury accidents at this location in the last 5 years and again this is positive.  

Anyway, having visited the location and discussed this within UTC given the situation we intend to have a very detailed appraisal of the overall junction and consider options on how to improve the pedestrian’s facilities on this approach when UTC come to refurbish the Sinderins junction.  This is planned to be in approximately 3 – 4 years as the signal equipment will need to replaced and hopefully we will have the funding to do something more substantial to improve the situation. In the meantime we will continue to monitor the junction for both pedestrians and general traffic."

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s first ward surgeries after the school summer holidays take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Seabraes lift and foliage #dundeewestend

Michael is pictured at the lift to the Seabraes bridge. We recently received concerns about lift breakdowns - the first such concerns in rather a long time.

We raised this with the City Council and received the following feedback from the Principal Engineer (Design & Property Services) :

"See below a response from DCC maintenance team with regards to the lift.

We have recently been made aware of a couple of breakdowns with this lift. Unfortunately, due to the lift's external and remote location it susceptible to misuse, dirt collecting in the door tracks, corrosion etc, which have been contributing factors for the majority of breakdowns over the years.

All repairs are attended to the same day they are reported to us, although again due to its location, we rely on members of the public to inform us of any breakdowns due to not having any DCC staff on site (like we do with all other lifts).

DCC carry out regular servicing of this lift including a service being carried out each month, a 6-monthly LOLER inspection and an annual LG1 inspection."

We also received complaints about the extent of vegetation to the north of the bridge and, having raised this with council environment management, received the following feedback :

"Our operatives have called into the area, north side of the bridge and carried out work to remove self-seeded Buddleia that were causing partial pedestrian obstruction. Access improvement has now been made."

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

With the schools now back after the summer holidays, Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries start again later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 12 AUGUST 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – West End Ward areas affected : 

• Ancrum Road (westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road) for one week followed by:

• Ancrum Road/Glamis Road/Charleston Drive/Sutherland Place – temporary traffic lights Monday 19 August for 2 weeks followed by:

• City Road (Cleghorn Street to Milnbank Gardens) – closed for 2 weeks followed by:

• City Road/Tullideph Road junction – temporary traffic lights from Monday 26 August for 2 weeks followed by:

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from Monday 9 September for 5 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 10 months for third party works.

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 5 August for 4 weeks for street lighting works.

South Marketgait (at Greenmarket) – nearside northbound lane closure on Tuesday 13 August (9.00am to 4.00pm) for Virgin Media work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Logie Street (at Ancrum Road) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 19 August for junction lining works.

Kirsty Semple Way (at Tom McDonald Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 2 September for 2 weeks for fibre ducting works.

Getting things done - Western Cemetery #dundeewestend

Michael is pictured at the Western Cemetery's west wall where residents have highlighted that the ivy has greatly spread and is now damaging the wall.

We contacted environment management at the City Council regarding this and were initially advised by the Service Manager as follows :

"I can update that an initial visual inspection has been carried out by the City Engineers.

However vegetation is overgrowing on the walls (the roots of this are on private land), which prohibits a full inspection to ascertain and cost remedial works.

I will contact the adjacent landowner asking them to remove the vegetation as soon as possible."

The adjacent owner is the University of Dundee who own the Westpark student residences area over the boundary wall.

We did, in response, ask that as much overgrown foliage as possible is removed by the council from the cemetery side of the wall and were helpfully advised thereafter as follows :

"By way of a further update, the Forestry team have confirmed that the ivy will need to be cut back to the boundary by them as this work is at height, using the platform.

This work has been carried out a few times over the years and will need to be undertaken outwith active nesting season.

Forestry have recorded this to be carried out."