Getting things done - Forest Park Road and Rosefield Street #dundeewestend

I have received a number of further complaints about the amount of litter regularly in both Forest Park Road (pictured below) and Rosefield Street :

I have therefore raised this with the environment manager for the area regarding the need for more regular street sweeping in both streets.

Dundee Spring Clean 2019! #TakePrideDundee

Friends of Wighton update ...

From Sheena Wellington :

This Saturday - 20th April - Easter Special – Bob Stewart, songs 

Cappuccino Concert - 11am – 12 noon

Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library

Bob Stewart has been entertaining for over 25 years and plays a variety of Scottish/Celtic and contemporary acoustic music.    

His performances are a very lively affair with a mixture of traditional and original material, a driving acoustic guitar sound, bodhran and mandolin (not all at the same time) and humour.

Bob was born and bred in Alyth, Perthshire and has been a full time musician since 1989.     He has played in several successful bands, touring Scotland and Europe before going solo in 2007. 

In 2017, Bob returned to his roots and began performing again in the traditional music scene. 

Still living in Alyth and touring the length and breadth of the country, he is looking forward to one of his busiest years ever.

Admission £5, with coffee and newspapers from 10.30am.

Riverside Drive - road safety #dundeewestend

A number of residents who live in the Riverside Apartments just west of the roundabout on Riverside Drive at Tesco have expressed concern about the speed of some vehicles outside their homes.

Some have suggested the more appropriate speed limit at their homes would be 30mph, which would involve moving the start of the 30mph zone slightly westwards along the road.    The current 40mph limit here was put in place when there were no residential properties on this part of Riverside Drive.

On their behalf, I raised this with the City Council and the council's Traffic and Transport Team Leader has responded as follows :

"I think we will need to see what the speeds are on this section of road and I will try and organise a survey to be done. 

History tells us that just changing speed limits doesn't always change people's behaviour. 

I will also speak to the police about this as well as they will have to enforce any new limit. A speed survey will be the starting point."

Dundee Art Society event - Roseangle Gallery #dundeewestend

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 15 APRIL 2019

Glamis Drive – Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road (Phase 1) and Hillside Road to Glamis Road (Phase 2) – closed in phases as stated for Monday 15 April for 2 weeks for footway resurfacing works.  Only one phase closed at any one time.

Riverside Esplanade – off-peak nearside lane closure on from Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 April for building maintenance.

West End Ward Surgeries #dundeewestend

With the Easter school holidays now nearly over, it is back to West End Ward surgeries this coming week.   My Mitchell Street Centre and Harris Academy surgeries take place tomorrow.

My full surgery details are below – although I can also be contacted via esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk or phone me at home on 459378 anytime :

Temporary Traffic Order - Glamis Drive

From the City Council :

Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating footway resurfacing works.  The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 15 April 2019.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Glamis Drive from Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road (Phase 1) and from Hillside Road to Glamis Road (Phase 2).

Only one phase of the works will be in operation at any time.

An alternative route will be available via Glamis Road, Perth Road, Invergowrie Drive and in reverse.  Pedestrians will have an alternative walkway on the road to safely pass the works.

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS - 433168.

Getting things done - Clayhills Drive #dundeewestend

A number of constituents have contacted me about the deteriorating state of the road in Clayhills Drive near its entrance.

I reported this to the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have been given the following helpful response :

"The Road Maintenance inspector has raised an order for pothole repairs to be done with a timescale for completion of approximately thirty days. 

He will continue to monitor the condition of the carriageway during routine inspection and any actionable defects noted will be repaired to ensure safety is maintained."

'Out and About' Bus

The Art of Reading

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

The Art of Reading

An exhibition of art about, inspired by and in the form of books

Tower Foyer Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee

Now on until 29th June - Monday to Friday 09.30-19.00; Saturday 13.00-17.00

The latest show in the Tower Foyer Gallery has been created as a companion to the current rare books exhibition in the Lamb Gallery (Bodies, Botanicals & Bindings). It looks at some of the ways that artists are inspired by or make use of books.

 Sketchbooks are often the starting point for any artistic idea

 Artists often create visual adaptations of scenes in books that inspire them

 Many books – particularly ones for children – feature illustrations by artists

 Artists might use books as visual props for the subjects in their paintings

 Some artists aim to critique the form of books

 Last but not least, many artists make their own books

All of the works on display are drawn from the University’s extensive Museum Collections. Artists include Sam Ainsley, Louise Hopkins, Ian Hamilton Finlay, R B Kitaj, Joseph Lee, Richard Long, Moira Macgregor, Bruce McLean, Noel Paton, Tom Phillips, Arthur Rackham and Barbara Robertson.

Harris Education and Recreation Association - Spring courses - enrolment

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

Forthcoming Roadworks – West End Ward

Glamis Drive – Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road (Phase 1) and Hillside Road to Glamis Road (Phase 2) – closed in phases as stated for Monday 15 April for 2 weeks for footway resurfacing works.  Only one phase closed at any one time.

New steps - Pentland Avenue #dundeewestend

Residents recently asked me for an update on when the new steps currently under construction in Pentland Avenue will be available to use.

I asked for an update from the City Council and the Project Officer in the Housing Asset Management Unit has advised as follows :

"The stairs cannot be opened until the handrail has been fully installed. The contractors programme of work shows this should start next week. The handrails could not be fabricated until the installation of the pre cast concrete steps was finished as they need to fit the final gradient of the steps plus the quality of the materials specified has led to a longer lead time than might normally be expected but the we feel this will be worth it in the longer term due to the reduction in the repairs and maintenance that will be required.

The same type of works are being simultaneously carried out at the Dallfield Multi-storey development so we are in constant communication with the contractor about both jobs. 

As soon as the handrails of are fitted, the city engineers with carry out an inspection and assuming everything is ok, will issue the relevant paperwork that will allow the are to be fully open. Once these steps are fully finished, work will begin on the other set of steps."

Second Easter holiday fun day at Ancrum Road Primary School

Getting things done - Bankmill Road #dundeewestend

Residents recently contacted me about graffiti in Bankmill Road - see below :

I am grateful to the City Council's Rapid Response Team who very promptly responded to my request to have the graffiti removed.

Easter Egg donations required!

Litter pick this Thursday - University of Dundee campus #dundeewestend

Latest event from Friends of Wighton

From Sheena Wellington :

Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library

Wednesday 3rd April - 1.15pm – 1.45pm

Lunchtime Recital :  Celtic Strings Trio 

Celtic Strings Trio are Anne Hamilton, vocals and guitar, Morag Sutherland (violin) and Jenny Blain (harp)  and they play and sing a mixture of Celtic and modern music.

Admission free, retiring donation.

West End Surgeries #dundeewestend

As the school Easter holidays are now taking place, my ward surgeries at Harris Academy, Blackness Primary School and the Mitchell Street Centre do not take place, but I can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns through my e-surgery - just e-mail esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk.

Surgeries recommence on Monday 15th April - surgery details are available here.

I can also be contacted during office hours at my Dundee City Council office on 434985.

Easter holiday fun days at Ancrum Road Primary School

Another Riverside Nature Park event today #dundeewestend

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - SATURDAY 30 AND SUNDAY 31 MARCH 2019

Perth Road (Hyndford Street to Blackness Avenue) – off-peak temporary traffic lights and lane closures from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 March for BT work.

Meadowside/Reform Street/High Street/Nethergate/Park Place – closed on Saturday 30 March (12.45pm – 3.45pm) for Trans Pride Parade.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Drive – Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road (Phase 1) and Hillside Road to Glamis Road (Phase 2) – closed in phases as stated for Monday 15 April for 2 weeks for footway resurfacing works.  Only one phase closed at any one time.

A welcome for traffic order improvements in Dundee

I have welcomed the decision by Dundee City Council to streamline the Traffic Regulation Order process, to speed up changes to waiting restrictions in the city in future.

The process of getting traffic regulations in place to improve parking and access for residents has been utterly torturous in the city in recent years – slow, bureaucratic and not customer-friendly.   

As an example, Kinloch Park in the West End, next to the entrance to Ninewells Hospital, had single yellow lining agreed, following a site visit with most of the street’s residents, Head of Roads and Transportation and myself in December 2016.   The agreed waiting restrictions to stop the street being used as a Ninewells overflow car park were finally put in place at the end of February 2019.   

Whilst, I am relieved the work in Kinloch Park was finally in place, two years and two months to complete the process highlighted the need to cut through the bureaucracy of the system, streamline it and speed it up.    

I raised the need to improve the Traffic Regulation Order process with the council’s Head of Democratic and Legal Services and am pleased that action has now been taken to tackle this issue.   We simply cannot again have relatively simple traffic alterations taking 26 months to implement.

The council’s Head of Roads and Transportation has now advised me :

“The Traffic Regulation Order process has been streamlined and, after discussions with the Director of City Development, we will undertake to look at the introduction of the Consultation Stage being undertaken in advance of going to City Development Committee.  

Ordinarily we would not progress with a Traffic Regulation Order if statutory consultees Police Scotland did not support a proposal.  

Any streamlining will involve less City Development Committee time and speed up the process with less stages.”

I will be monitoring future work to ensure there is a genuine speeding up of Traffic Regulation Orders to ensure that residents across the city get faster action on improved parking and tackling parking obstruction issues more efficiently.

Riverside Nature Park event #dundeewestend

Botanic Garden event this Saturday #dundeewestend

Guided Tour of Bodies, Botanicals and Bindings: Reimagining Rare Books

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

Join the exhibition’s creators today at 1pm for a special guided tour in the Lamb Gallery. 

Curated by Archive Services, the show brings together some of the beautiful rare books in the University’s collections and work by artists and writers who have been inspired by the stories, annotations, typefaces, bindings, and materials which make up the books. 

Taking inspiration from the remarkable collections which date from the 15th century onwards the artists have created jewellery, etchings, drawings, ceramics, tattoo designs and creative writing. 

The tour will explain the history and composition of the books and will include a chance to chat to some of the artists and writers who have contributed to the exhibition. 

Meet in the Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee at 1pm today. 

Free admission - no need to book.

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 25 MARCH 2019

Perth Road (Hyndford Street to Blackness Avenue) – off-peak temporary traffic lights and lane closures from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 March for BT work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Drive – Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road (Phase 1) and Hillside Road to Glamis Road (Phase 2) – closed in phases as stated for Monday 15 April for 2 weeks for footway resurfacing works.  Only one phase closed at any one time.

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

From Blether Tay-Gither :

Our March meeting will be on Tuesday 26th March at 7pm at The Bach, 31 Meadowside.

Join us at Blether Tay-Gither this month to remember and celebrate the life of Fiona MacLeod. 

Fiona was originally from Perthshire, spent some of her childhood in Ireland and had lived for many years in Brittany, she regularly returned to Scotland to tell her tales and was Blether's guest just last October aboard the Frigate Unicorn for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, where some of us heard her for the first time and saw what a lively and vibrant teller she was.

Come along to the Bach to hear some tales and to share some stories from the places she lived, or memories of Fiona.  All are welcome to join in and you may just wish to listen. Hot drinks and cakes are available in the welcoming and unique environment of the Bach. 

There’s a suggested Donation £3 and we hope to see you there.

Parenting strategy events - including at Harris Academy

You can book all the events listed above here.

Play On Wheels Easter Holidays events #dundeewestend

Here’s Play On Wheels Easter Holidays events in the West End for local children!

Play On Wheels will be out whatever the weather so hope to see lots of you for some adventures.    Come and say hello and have some fun. 

Everyone welcome and all sessions are free of charge.

Play On Wheels is a Smart Play Network project funded through the BIG Lottery Investing in Communities 21st Century Life programme.

Dundee - A Global City

The One World Centre and Lifelong Learning Dundee at the University of Dundee present Dundee    -   A Global City.

The course will be of 5 sessions which will run on Wednesday evenings beginning on Wednesday 17th April from 6.30pm until 8.30pm - then  each Wednesday evening until 15th May  - so  17th April,  24th April, 1st May, 8th May and 15th May.

This programme introduces us to and explores the many and varied contributions that Dundonians have made and are making to our world.  Using stories from the past we will explore the links we have with others around the globe and consider how our lifestyles can contribute to a fairer, more sustainable and peaceful society

* Think Global – Act Local  … 17th April - Sally Romilly and Clare Fulton  - OWC

What is Global Citizenship?   Why has it developed as an idea?   What makes a Global citizen?  What does it mean for the local person in Dundee?    

* Dahka to Dundee….. 24th April - Alastair Scott Dundee Heritage Trust and   Sandra Thompson   

The jute trade unravelled - highlighting Dundee’s fascinating role.

* Dundonians face war – to fight or not to fight? ….. 1st May - Andrew Jeffrey and Sandy Constable

Looking at our different perspectives on war with  Andrew Jeffrey - author of  'This Dangerous Menace: Dundee and the River Tay at War, 1939 to 1945' (1991) - whose stories will shed new light  on how Dundonians faced up to war.    ... and Sandy Constable who shares memories of his father’s relationship to war.

* Dundee women in the World ….  8th May - Mary Henderson, Kate Armstrong and Norma McGovern

Beginning with the ‘four Marys’ we explore the range of Global contributions made by Dundee women.

* Welcoming our new citizens ….. 15th May - Dr Husam Al Waer, senior lecturer in Sustainable Urban Design,   Sally Romilly  and Clare Fulton (OWC)

As Dundee continues to welcome migrants and refugees into the community what are their challenges and our response.

For details from the One World Centre here.

West End Easter Programme from ParkLives Dundee #dundeewestend

Getting things done - Logie Cemetery #dundeewestend

Several constituents have recently contacted me regarding the condition of Logie Cemetery on Lochee Road north of Balgay Parish Church.   As residents know, the cemetery is very old and long closed to new interments.

At my request, an inspection of the cemetery was undertaken last Friday and the environment manager for the west of the city advised me after this  ... "all memorials are in a safe condition either dug in or lying flat.  The ones that remain upright have been found to be stable."

The Service Manager - Environment - at the City Council has also advised me :

"In an effort to reduce soil erosion which contributes to memorials stabilisation problems we have reduced grass cutting to twice per season and do not apply pesticide around the memorials. 

In ref to the memorial checks, this cemetery along with other non operational cemeteries are on our schedule for safety inspections.  

Due to the historical nature of the site there are limitations what works we can undertake but we shall ensure any headstones which present a risk to the public are addressed." 

Cyber for Seniors Workshop

Abertay University is holding a Cyber for Seniors Workshop on Thursday 28th March between 10am and 4pm at the Events Space, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell Street.

Its purpose is to find out the challenges are that the elderly face with respect to cyber crime.     There will be talks about cyber challenges such as security and passwords.    The aim is to come up with solutions together to address some of these problems.    Lunch will be provided.

To book a space, please contact Karen Renaud, Professor of Cyber Security - k.renaud@abertay.ac.uk- or 308236 but please do so by close of play today.

Dundee schools' bands and orchestras - Spring Concerts

Review of open spaces management rules

Residents are being invited by Dundee City Council to have their say on proposed new rules for open spaces across Dundee.

You can see details of the draft rules and how to submit comments by clicking here. 

Submissions should be made by 25th March.

Getting things done - Seabraes area #dundeewestend

I have recently had complaints about the extent of rubbish and litter along the western end of the path running from Roseangle to Greenmarket.   The problem area has been the part from Seabraes west towards the Roseangle car park.

The council's Rapid Response Team, at my request, kindly did a litter-pick there recently.   However, I wrote to Scottish Enterprise to get its assurances that it would ensure the area is kept clean in future, as I was sure responsibility would rest with Scottish Enterprise.

The Director of Business Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise has now advised me :

"I am advised that SE’s responsibilities cover the area shown outlined red on the plan (below). 

Our external Property Managing Agents have been reminded of our responsibilities with particular reference to litter collection so you should see an improvement."

Tree planting next Saturday - Riverside Nature Park #dundeewestend

Boogie ... from Alzheimer Scotland!

Following the success of the Original Boogie in the Bar in Aberdeen, Alzheimer Scotland's Dundee Dementia Resource Centre is launching its very own Boogie! 

A Boogie is a community lead activity where people have an opportunity to come together to enjoy music, dancing and company. 

There will be a professional DJ and thanks to the committee of the Lochee Bowling Club, Alzheimer Scotland has secured their fantastic premises for the event.

If you would like to come along to the first Dundee Boogie this Friday - 15th March - please contact the Dundee team at Alzheimer Scotland on 210200 to book your place.

Doors open at Lochee Bowling Club at 1.30pm and the Boogie runs from 2pm to 4pm.

West End Community Council meeting tonight #dundeewestend

The Community Council meets this evening at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall at 7pm - all residents welcome!   Here's the agenda :

WEST END  COMMUNITY  COUNCIL  MEETING

TUESDAY 12th MARCH 2019  AT  7.00PM

LOGIE  AND ST JOHN`S (CROSS)  PARISH  CHURCH  HALL

(ENTER FROM  SHAFTESBURY  TERRACE  -  OFF  BLACKNESS  AVENUE)

1. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

2. MINUTE OF MEETING 11TH DECEMBER 2018 AND  MATTERS  ARISING

3. CORRESPONDENCE

4. POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE

5. WESTFEST

6. PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE MAGDALEN GREEN – Calum Robertson

7. PERTH ROAD UPDATE – 

8. PLANNING  UPDATE 

9. OTHER MEETINGS ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF WECC

10. AOCB – MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INPUT

DATE  OF  NEXT  MEETING – Tuesday 9th April 2019

Latest event from Friends of Wighton

From Sheena Wellington :

Cappuccino Concert with Fraya Thomsen, harp

Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library - this Saturday - 16th March - 11am (doors open at 10.30am)

Fraya Thomsen is heralded as a "leading female Scottish harpist and composer with the cosmic touch... free and wild..." - City Life Dundee

Taking influences from songwriters such as Ani DiFranco and Billy Bragg and combining it with the Scottish sensibilities that she learnt in her native Highlands of Scotland, Fraya has worked as a musician in a wide diversity of settings from international harp and roots festivals with The Duplets, to musician in residence with Feis Rois and award winning film/dance/art composer. 

This tour sees her striding forth in a solo capacity and features music from her 2017 Celtic Connections composition 'Community and Stardust' described as  "a musical and rhetorical triumph, a coherent argument beautifully structured” - David Francis, TRACS, and "...incredibly musical and incredibly thoughtful" - Phil Cunningham.

Doors open 10.30am, tickets are £5 and tea/coffee available for a small donation.

Event at the Botanic Garden today #dundeewestend

From the Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden :

The last talk of the season will be today at 2pm in the Education Centre at the Botanic Garden.

The speaker is Dr Sarah Easterby-Smith, Senior Lecturer School of History, St Andrews University.

The title of her talk is Botany and Plant Trade in the late 18th century.

Please come along and bring a friend!

Family Prize Bingo - Ancrum Road Primary School

Free bike event at the University of Dundee

Getting things done - Clovis Duveau Drive #dundeewestend

Residents in Clovis Duveau Drive raised with me the faded whote lining in the street.

I raised this with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following positive response :

"An order to refresh the white lining for Clovis Duveau Drive has been raised.    It will be done as soon as resources are available."

Ninewells Community Garden events #dundeewestend

Lighting on path at Harris Academy #dundeewestend

A number of constituents have raised concerns about the lighting on the public pathway that runs to the side of Harris Academy down to Riverside.     

Several of the lighting units are in a vandalised state or simply not working.

I reported this to the council's Street Lighting Partnership and have now been advised :

"We have decided that we are not simply going to replace the fittings as it is clear that they are mounted in a location which is easy to access and prone to vandalism.

(We are) currently working on some design calculations with a view to installing columns in their place."

Litter pick this Thursday - University of Dundee campus #dundeewestend