Financial advice and support

Money worries, debt or benefits concerns?

The following information provides useful financial advice and contact numbers :

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2020

Hawkhill – lane closures for 4 weeks for street lighting column installation works.

Lochee Road (at Rankine Street) – mini contraflow until mid-week for Scottish Water work.

Seafield Road (Perth Road to Roseangle) – closed Monday 23 November for 4 days for carriageway resurfacing works.

Lower Pleasance (Brewery Lane to Douglas Street) – closed from Wednesday 25 November for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Abbotsford Street (at Blackness Road) – closed from Monday 30 November for 3 days for BT work.

Blackness Road (at Abbotsford Street) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 30 November for 3 days for BT work.

Temporary Traffic Order - Lower Pleasance

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 Scottish Water manhole repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Lower Pleasance (between Douglas Street and Brewery Lane), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 25 November 2020 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Douglas Street / Brook Street / Brewery Lane.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development - Dundee City Council

Ninewells Community Garden - on-line event #dundeewestend

Movie Screening and Discussion - Kiss the Ground 

Thursday 26th November at 6pm

Kiss the Ground is a full-length documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson that sheds light on a new, old approach to farming called “regenerative agriculture” that has the potential to balance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world.

The movie screening will be followed by a discussion, details of how to watch the movie and join the discussion will be sent to you before to the screening time.

Full details available here.

Dundee Art Society Exhibition #dundeewestend

From Dundee Art Society :

Dundee Art Society is holding their Winter Art Exhibition at Roseangle Gallery, 17 Roseangle.

Although Covid rules are in place, so no preview with refreshments and a wee glass of wine can happen, but at least we are allowed to open this exhibition for a week. 

It starts on Saturday 21st November and runs every day till Saturday 28th November, open daily from 11am to 5pm.

Temporary traffic order - Seafield Road

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 Seafield Road (from Perth Road to Roseangle), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Monday 23 November 2020 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Access will be maintained where possible.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Perth Road / Roseangle .

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Residents' parking scheme for the West End - a further update

Residents will recall that I had recently raised with the City Council the need to complete the consultation on a possible residents' parking scheme for a significant area in the east and north of the West End Ward.

The consultation was abruptly suspended back in March due to the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 health emergency.    As I indicated to council officers, I do not want to see this kicked into the long grass as the parking problems for many residents continue.

The council's Parking and Sustainable Transport Team Leader has now updated councillors as follows :

"The report on the proposed extension of a residents' parking scheme came before the City Development committee on 9 March 2020 and officers were instructed to conclude the consultation with relevant community groups before bringing back a further options report to the committee. 

The public consultation in the West End was largely completed prior to lockdown with a lot of community feedback collated following two public events held at Blackness Library in March 2020.  Further public engagement events in Maryfield and Coldside wards were unable to take place due to lockdown restrictions.

Council officers from City Development, with support from the Communities Team, expect to recommence the public engagement on resident parking issues in March 2021 or at the earliest possible date after restrictions on public gatherings are lifted.   It is then anticipated that a full options report will be presented to committee later that year."

Environmental improvements across the West End

I am pleased to advise that, at last night's City Council Neighbourhood Services Committee, various environmental improvements across the city were approved.

In the West End, these will include improvements at Riverside Nature Park, along Riverside Drive and at Seabraes.

Further detail is given in the plans below :

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2020

Hawkhill – lane closures for 5 weeks for street lighting column installation works.

Glamis Drive – closed from Monday 9 November for 2 weeks for carriageway surfacing.

Perth Road (at Farrington Street) – temporary traffic lights for one week for SGN work.

Lochee Road (at Rankine Street) – mini contraflow Tuesday 17 November for one week for Scottish Water work. 

Forthcoming Roadworks

Seafield Road (Perth Road to Roseangle) – closed from Monday 23 November for 5 working days for carriageway resurfacing works.

Abbotsford Street (at Blackness Road) – closed from Monday 30 November for 3 days for BT work. 

Blackness Road (at Abbotsford Street) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 30 November for 3 days for BT work. 

Dundee City Council Tenants - Have Your Say - Rent Consultation 2020

From the City Council :

“Every year, the City Council Neighbourhood Services reviews the rent and other charges that we need to collect so that we can continue to deliver the services that you have told us you want. 

Neighbourhood Services aim to ensure that the highest quality of housing is provided for the people of Dundee in a safe and healthy environment. This can only be achieved through partnership working across all sectors. 

The council strives to provide a continually high standard of service by consulting and engaging with tenants on decisions which involve them. 

The current restrictions continue to make this a challenge, however, your opinion matters, so please take time some to be part in this year’s rent consultation before 23rd December 2020. 

Below are some examples of how you can Get Involved & Have Your Say :

• Information displayed on the Council, partner and Elected Member social media portals and websites.

• Taking the opportunity to complete the survey if asked to Get Involved by Council staff, either in person, or over the phone.

• Email us on rentconsultation@dundeecity.gov.uk 

• Complete the survey by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MCRC-2021-22

• Text ‘RENT 1, 2 or 3’ to 0753 924 2303

• Scanning ‘QR’ Quick Response code on literature 

Following the consultation period, all feedback received on the proposed options will be reported to, and considered by, Committee in January 2021.”

You can read more at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/rent-consultation 

Please support Adoption Week 2020!

I am supporting Adoption Week Scotland 2020 that runs all next week and the City Council is promoting this excellent yearly event to promote adoption and fostering in Dundee.

The Dundee adoption and fostering Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/dundeecityadoptionandfostering and will have daily posts throughout the week.

Bike rack provision in the West End #dundeewestend

Towards the end of last year, the City Council's Outdoor Access Officer discussed possible improvements to bike racks provision in Perth Road and Blackness Road, something many local residents have said would assist local cyclists.

Sites were discussed and agreed but, meantime, the health emergency rather got in the way of these being installed.

I recently asked the Outdoor Access Officer for an update and have received the following positive response :

"I was in touch with the contractor about a week ago, and he was intending to get the racks installed this month.  

You will remember this will install one stand at the Spar, one at the front of Sainsbury's and a rack of 4 stands at the library on the Perth Road. There was also a stand to go in near the Chemists at Blackness Road.

I hope this helps at the locations your constituent visits.

As you say the main delay to these being installed was the Covid-19 situation."

Bollard at Roseangle playpark area - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that I had recently reported a bollard that requires to be re-sited back in place on the foot/cycle path near the Roseangle playpark.

The City Council has now responded as follows :

"The aforementioned bollard has been sheared at the base and is not re-installable.    The hole has been made safe and I have ordered a new one to replace it when it arrives it will be installed."

Lest we forget

 

No Trees to Whisper - Book Week Scotland at the Wighton!

From Sheena Wellington of Friends of Wighton :

We are back!  Online but with a very special event to celebrate Book Week Scotland 

Saturday November 21st from 2pm - 3.30pm 

No Trees to Whisper – the  Music of Poetry 

No Trees to Whisper is  a song cycle commissioned by soprano and clarinet duo, Turning the Elements who are soprano Frances Cooper and clarinettist Joanna Nicholson.   

Poetry workshop led by Dawn Wood.

Be the first audience to hear extracts from this new commission and have the opportunity to work with one of the poets involved, and the musicians, to create a new piece – all from the comfort of your own home, via Zoom!             

Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell’s famous diaries of their Journey to the Highlands and Islands in 1779 were the inspiration for this project, supported by Creative Scotland, with poetry commissioned from Haworth Hodgkinson, Iain Morrison and Dawn Wood, and music by Gemma McGregor, Linda Buckley and Aidan O’Rourke.

Dawn Wood will lead the workshop, delving into some of the ways she finds inspiration for her writing, and sharing some of the poetry she produced for the project.  She will use guided meditation techniques to allow participants to access their sensory imagination as they explore aspects of the Scottish landscape and its future. Participants will have the opportunity to produce writing during the workshop, resulting in a collaborative text which will be explored using improvised music by Frances Cooper and Joanna Nicholson.

The workshop is free but places are limited so if you would like to take part in this exciting event, or be part of the audience,   please register your interest by email to secretary@friendsofwighton.com

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020

Hawkhill – lane closures for 6 weeks for street lighting column installation works.

Pentland Avenue (City Road to Scott Street) – closed westbound from Monday 2 November for 6 days to facilitate road safety works.

Glamis Drive – closed from Monday 9 November for 2 weeks for carriageway surfacing.

Operation After Dark - Winter Home Security

From Tayside Police Division :

“Well the summer time has officially gone, as the clocks went back at the weekend there, and it’s time for our annual Operation After Dark.

As part of this ongoing effort to raise winter home security awareness, this week officers will be out on both high-visibility and plain clothes patrols in areas that are often targeted by thieves.

They will be identifying any property which appears to be vulnerable, speaking with occupiers of identified addresses, and delivering security advice leaflets.

Some basic crime prevention advice for the darker / shorter days includes : 

 ·         Ensure that timer switches are being used on lights / radios to make it look and sound like someone is within.

·         Ensure that all windows and doors are kept secure when you leave your property or go to bed.

·         Ensure security lighting is in working order – potential housebreakers do not like being seen.

·         Ensure garden tools / ladders are locked away when not in use - these are often used to assist with gaining entry to your house.

·         Ensure sheds and outbuildings have a good quality lock fitted - these are often the first place targeted.

·         Don't leave bins out when they don't need to be - another sign that you or your neighbour’s home may be unoccupied.

·        Catalogue all your property as best possible.”

More home security advice is available at 

www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property

Building Bridges Symposium 2020

From Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education :

West Port artwork - an update

Residents will know the artwork in the West Port, where public toilets once sat - photo above.

Art UK explains its background :

"Pyramid and Canopies - Stan Bonnar 

Commissioned in 1983, the West Port 'Pyramid and Canopies' was not only a sculptural artwork, but also formed the roof structure and stairway down to a newly modernised underground public toilets. 

The last images in the series, provided by the artist, show the work as it initially appeared. Bonnar was given the brief of proposing artworks for the West Port area of Dundee, and during this creative survey, he saw that the old Victorian 'men only' public toilets had fallen into disrepair."

Stan was recently in touch with me about the current state of the artwork which definitely needs some tender loving care to remove graffiti, repaint it and clean the pyramid.

The City Council's planning officer who deal with public art matters is kindly arranging this.

Stan has suggested some improvements including creating seating - to quote him :

" ...  the seating would be installed as part of a conservation scheme for the trees and pyramid at some time in the future.  I hope that the artwork will be able to be 'topped off’ by reinstating the globes.

It would be great if they were made to light up as this would accentuate their functioning in the artwork as a symbol of oneness. (red supporting blue - blue supporting red - each the environment and meaning of the other). 

And of course this is reflected in the symbolic value of the pyramid."

Stan has kindly produced a mock-up of what this could look like - below :

Dundee Carers’ Centre #dundeewestend

Dundee Carers’ Centre has a page for West End  that is useful.

It covers the work the centre undertakes in the West End, the partnership organisations the centre works with in our area and its work with schools.

You can read this here.

Glamis Drive resurfacing works – a further update

Further to my recent post with the good news that the roadway of Glamis Drive is to be resurfaced next week, the city Council has updated adjacent residents as follows :

“Glamis Drive/Invergowrie Drive (60 Invergowrie Drive to Glamis Road) – Carriageway Resurfacing

I wish to notify you that work is programmed to commence at the above location on Monday 9 November 2020,lasting for approximately 8 days.   The main contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.

The works will be carried out in 2 phases to minimise disruption and maintain safe vehicular access where possible.

In the interests of public safety, road closures will be implemented, with traffic restrictions as follows :

• during Phase 1 Glamis Drive will be closed from 60 Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road; and

• during Phase 2 Glamis Drive will be closed from Hillside Road to Glamis Road.

Traffic will be diverted via Glamis Road, Perth Road, Invergowrie Drive and reverse for the full duration of the works, while no on-street parking will be allowed on the section of carriageway being worked on.

Access for residents will be maintained where possible, although we ask for vehicular traffic movements to be kept to a minimum. Vehicular access will be maintained to the residents of Glamis Drive from Glamis Road during Phase 1 and from Invergowrie Drive during Phase 2 of the works.

During Phase 1 some residents from Glamis Drive, Invergowrie Drive and Glamis Gardens may experience some unavoidable delays.

Please accept my apologies for any disruption these essential works may cause. I am sure that you will understand that major road maintenance work is unavoidable and necessitates a degree of inconvenience to road users."

Getting things done : Roseangle playpark area #dundeewestend

Last week, residents highlighted to me that on the foot/cycle path near the Roseangle playpark, a bollard required to be re-sited back in place.

I have asked the City Council to attend to this.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2020

Hawkhill – lane closures for 3 weeks for street lighting columns installation works.

Pentland Avenue (City Road to Scott Street) – closed westbound from Monday 2 November for 6 days to facilitate road safety works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Drive – closed from Monday 9 November for 2 weeks for carriageway surfacing.

Friends at the End webinar

 

Getting things done - Perth Road #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the local resident who recently highlighted that one of the panels was damaged on the bus shelter on Perth Road near the junction with Glamis Road by the Invercarse Hotel.

I took this up with the transport team at the council and the panel was promptly removed for repair by a glazier.

Getting things done - Victoria Park #dundeewestend

Recently, residents have asked me when the hedging at Victoria Park will be trimmed.

I took this up with the City Council and the Environmental Management Area Officer has advised :

"... the hedge cutting with tractor mounted flail has commenced and is working its way across town east to west and this hedge is programmed in to be done and should be done in the next few weeks.

As you will be aware we have not been able to carry out our normal program of works at the usual time of year due to the covid-19 situation and most works have been set back by about a month."

However, I am pleased to advise that the trimming has now been carried out and residents have remarked what a neat job it is too.

Temporary Traffic Order - Pentland Avenue

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 road safety improvement works.  The Order is expected to be in force for 6 days from 2nd November 2020.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all westbound vehicular traffic in Pentland Avenue from City Road to Scott Street.

An alternative route will be available via City Road and Scott Street.

Queries should be addressed to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or call 433082.

The council has further advised me :

“The road safety improvement scheme includes a new central triangular traffic island with new drop kerb provision and new road markings including hatching.

The island will be installed in Pentland Avenue where the junction meets City Road. 

This measure will improve pedestrian and road safety.”

Getting things done - Glamis Drive #dundeewestend

As residents are aware, I have been in touch with the Roads Maintenance Partnership on numerous occasions about the need to resurface the roadway of Glamis Drive as it is in poor condition.

I am pleased to advise that I have been informed that the road will be resurfaced from 9th November, which is good news.

It will be undertaken in two phases over up to ten days :

Phase 1 : from Invergowrie Drive to Hillside Road 

Phase 2 : from Hillside Road to Glamis Road

This way access is maintained to the area throughout.

Getting things done – Perth Road street lights #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the residents who highlighted to me last week street lights that were out on Perth Road between Hazel Avenue and Invergowrie Drive.

I raised this with the Street Lighting Partnership who very promptly updated me as follows :

“ … the lighting fault on the Perth Road has been rectified.

Someone had gained access to the street lighting control cabinet and interfered with the controls.

This has now been reset, the cabinet door secured and the lights should be operating correctly.”

There was, thereafter, a further issue with the timer, but this has now been resolved and the lights should now be operating properly.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2020

Riverside Drive (at Mayo Avenue) – off peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 27 October for maintenance work to DfT traffic sensors.

Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) - temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October for SSEN disconnection works.

Hawkhill – lane closures from Monday 26 October for 4 weeks for street lighting columns installation works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Pentland Avenue (City Road to Scott Street) – closed westbound from Monday 2 November for 6 days to facilitate road safety works.

Glamis Drive – closed from Monday 9 November for 2 weeks for carriageway surfacing.

Residents’ parking consultation – an update

Residents will recall that the consultation on residents' parking was abruptly suspended in March shortly after the two consultation meetings, due to the COVID-19 health emergency.    

I have been in touch with the City Council about its position regarding getting the consultation concluded and a residents’ parking scheme introduced.

The Head of Sustainable Transport and Roads has now updated me as follows :

“As you note, there are options to either progress the outstanding consultation online or postpone until physically distancing requirements are relaxed. Engagement with non-digital persons is a concern with the former of these two options. 

Associated with this consideration is the skewing of respondents' comments if progressed during the current restrictions on the basis of views being influenced by current experiences or circumstances faced which may not be apparent post Covid-19.

For the benefit of engagement, and the timing being during an environment reflective of the future state, I propose to postpone the consultation exercise until after the pandemic which will hopefully be in the first half of 2021.”

This is a disappointing timescale but not really very surprising as driving and parking currently is far from normal and services are extremely challenging due to the health emergency.  

However, I will continue to press for progress as soon as parking behaviour returns to more normal times as hopefully the COVID-19 health emergency passes.   

Meantime, I have continually said that parking charges in the seven West End car parks with charges should have remained suspended given the Scottish Government guidance to work from home where possible and I reiterated this to the Head of Sustainable Transport and Roads during the past week.

Sub-station at Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

Residents have remarked how superb the new mural on the SSE electricity sub-station at Magdalen Green is!   

It is opposite the bottom of Windsor Street and was completed on Thursday.

Another great mural by Paco Graff and grateful thanks also go to Russell Pepper of West End Community Council for making this happen and to SSE for its support of the project.

Street lighting improvements - Hawkhill #dundeewestend

I have been advised by the City Council's Street Lighting Partnership Manager as follows :

"I'm informing you that we have a lighting replacement scheme about to commence in the Hawkhill area of your ward, starting on Monday of next week.

We intend to replace all the lighting columns and cable network along the length of the Hawkhill from Brown Street out as far as Peddie Street.

Obviously this is a large project for us and Tayside Contracts will be assisted by a sub-contractor, T N Gilmartins, who will be undertaking excavation works on site. 

Works will commence at the city centre end and progress westwards from there. 

We will of course, endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum although some traffic management will be required.

Weather permitting, works are expected to last 10-12 weeks."

Blether Bus - an update

Residents will be aware that the so-called “Blether Bus” that replaced the 204 bus service the council axed last year and covers a number of streets in the West End that would otherwise have no bus service – streets like Invergowrie Drive, Newhall Gardens and Glamis Drive – was suspended at the start of the COVID-19 health emergency.

The service assists older residents who find it difficult to walk the distances – often uphill – to the main service buses.   

I recently noticed that Aberdeenshire Council has, with proper safety arrangements including social distancing, announced a restart to its Dial a Bus service that has similar aims.   To quote that council :

“We preparing to re-introduce a number of #A2B #dial-a-bus services operated by our fleet of minibuses in a controlled and phased manner.”

I raised this with the City Council and have been advised :

“The Dial A Bus model of operation requires users to pre-book their journeys and this allows the operators to manage the number of passengers using the service at any one time - and the timings of those journeys.   From speaking with colleagues from other local authorities I think most minibus services are limited to two passengers on the vehicle at any one time.   The Blether Bus model is much closer to a bus service and there is no pre-booking option so we cannot manage journeys in this way.

We will continue to liaise with colleagues at Fleet about vehicle and minibus availability and appropriate protocols that need to be in place before we can safely restart the Blether Bus services.”

I have responded :

“ … surely some out the box thinking is required so what about temporarily converting the Blether Bus to something around the Dial a Bus model?   I have constituents in streets like Newhall Gardens who simply cannot manage the hill up to Perth Road.”

Road safety at schools - an update #dundeewestend

I was pleased to received an update last week that Police Scotland had given assurances that it is assisting in the city council’s school road safety campaign by deploying officers to areas surrounding schools with the new school term starting this week.

I have had numerous concerns from residents about safety outside our local schools and, in particular, the need for all drivers to adhere to the 20mph speed limit at schools to assist pupil safety.

In the run up to the October school holidays I had, in particular, concerns raised about the speed of a minority of vehicles around the West End campus of St Joseph's Primary School, Victoria Park Primary School and Balgay Hill Nursery School, and I asked the city council to reinforce the message about safe, slow driving near schools and was given assurances that this would be done.   

The input of Police Scotland on this important safety issue is very welcome.

Bus timetables concern #dundeewestend

A number of residents have highlighted that, although real time bus information is working at bus shelters, paper timetables have been out of date since the bus companies altered services during the health emergency.

As one resident pointed out in relation to the bus stop in Perth Road near Step Row :

“Perth Road is a main local community shopping area where people are being encouraged to think/act sustainably, yet the Step Row Stop (with no real-time display) has the main Stagecoach Tayway high profile route timetable still showing the old 10 minute weekday frequency, with appropriate comments from a disgruntled punter.

Add to that 2018 route maps not updated and … it is a far cry from “Bringing Confidence to Public Transport”.    Attention grabbing EV and electric bike hire initiatives are all well and good, but the simple public transport basics should not be forgotten, particularly since the operators’ own traditional printed timetables, for now, at least, seem to be hard to find.”

I appreciate that, given the changing bus timetables during the health emergency replacing every paper timetable at bus stops is difficult in terms of resourcing but I have sought and obtained assurances from the that erroneous timetables will be removed.

Hopefully once there is more of a return to normal services and stability in timetables, new and correct timetables can be placed at every bus stop and we will also hopefully see the return of suspended bus services like Service 4 and the Blether Bus in the West End.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2020

Blackness Road (at junction with Bellfield Street for a distance of 25m or thereby in an easterly direction) – closed from Monday 19 October for 3 days for BT work.

Blackness Road (at Bellfield Street) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 19 October for 3 days for BT work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive (at Mayo Avenue) – off peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 27 October for maintenance work to DfT traffic sensors.

Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) - temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October for SSEN disconnection works.

Pentland Avenue (City Road to Scott Street) – closed westbound from Monday 2 November for 6 days to facilitate road safety works.

Glamis Drive – closed from Monday 9 November for 2 weeks for carriageway surfacing.

Lovely #Dundee views!

Earlier this month, I posted some great Tay Road Bridge & V&A Dundee photos taken by a very talented West End resident.

She has kindly sent me some other local views, which are fantastic!

Scotland's Garden Scheme - visit this weekend! #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that this weekend sees Frances and John Dent in Glamis Drive open their lovely garden to residents as part of Scotland's Gardens Scheme, with new arrangements to comply with coronavirus routemap rules.

Not only is a visit to the garden a pleasure - it also helps raise funds for charity.

You can get full details of when the garden is open today and tomorrow here.

Temporary traffic order - Blackness Road

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 BT cable repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Blackness Road (from its junction with Bellfield Street to approx. 25 metres east), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 19 October for 3 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available Bellfield Street / Hawkhill / Horsewater Wynd / Guthrie Street / Urquhart Street / Blackness Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Harris Education and Recreation Association - new Zoom classes! #dundeewestend

The next HERA - Harris Education & Recreation Association block of Zoom classes will run in November, with most classes on Wednesday evenings and a couple on Mondays.

Online enrolment for the range of classes will be available on www.heradundee.org from 21st October to 28th October.

Don't miss out - full detils here!

Getting things done - Victoria Park #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the local resident who contacted me recently to say that a young Rowan tree in Victoria Park had been damaged.

I reported this to environment management who very promptly resolved matters.   My thanks to the forestry team for a very efficient response.

Before :

After :

Free parking in West End of Dundee car parks must be extended #dundeewestend

As reported recently in the Courier (see below), I have called for the City Council to extend its free parking period in Dundee’s West End car parks given that the coronavirus health emergency situation continues.

The council took the sensible decision during the lockdown in the spring to make all its car parks free to use to assist key workers in the city centre and also people working from home in other car parks that charge across the city including in the West End.

However, it now intends to bring back car parking charges into seven West End car parks next Monday - 19th October - at a time when many local workers are still working from home and may well continue to be doing for weeks to come.     

The point about the West End car parks is that they all cover residential areas and so the council is charging people to park near their own homes when they are being encouraged by Scottish Government to work from home.   That is a totally ridiculous situation and contrary to the Scottish Government message to work from home where possible during the health emergency.

I therefore wrote to the Director of City Development at Dundee City Council asking for an extension to take place and received the following reply :

“As you are aware, the original aim of the introduction of charges was, as well as generating income, to prevent abuse of the car-parks by commuters and to promote turnover of spaces to support local shops.

As charges in the rest of the city have been reintroduced, I do not think we could justify further suspension of charges in the West End. We did extend the moratorium on charging until the University started back.

I have reviewed and whilst I understand the issues that you raise, we have a committee remit to introduce charges, and now require to discharge that remit.”

I think at a time when the Scottish Government is trying to encourage people to work from home where it is possible, the City Council charging people for the privilege of parking near their homes in the West End is not responsible and sending the wrong message.    

These are car parks in residential areas and I think that would be a common sense and helpful thing to continue the parking charges moratorium at this time.

Courier article :

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

Forthcoming Roadworks for West End Ward

Blackness Road (at junction with Bellfield Street for a distance of 25m or thereby in an easterly direction) – closed from Monday 19 October for 3 days for BT work.

Blackness Road (at Bellfield Street) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 19 October for 3 days for BT work.

Riverside Drive (at Mayo Avenue) – off peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 27 October for maintenance work to DfT traffic sensors.

Glamis Drive – closed from Monday 9 November for 2 weeks for carriageway surfacing.