Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 MAY 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Magdalen Yard Road (Windsor Street to Thomson Street) – closed Sunday 4 June for West Fest event.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Westfield Place – closed from Monday 5 June for 3 days for Street Lighting work.

South Tay Street – temporary traffic lights from Monday 5 June for 3 days for City Fibre work.

Hawkhill (at Peddie Street) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Wednesday 7 June to 6.00am on Thursday 8 June for Scottish Water work.

Lower Pleasance (Lower Pleasance Court to Brook Street) – closed from Monday 12 June for 10 days for gully replacement work.

West Port – lane closure for one week from Monday 26 June for street lighting work.

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) – off-side northbound lane closure on Tuesday 27 June for Scottish Water work.

Tayside's Treasures

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

On behalf of the Tayside Museums Forum, we’re delighted to invite you to attend the third annual Tayside’s Treasures online event, taking place on Wednesday 31st May at 3pm.

What do a Pictish stone, a bus driver's badge and a design for a public urinal have in common? They’re among the many thousands of unique and fascinating objects held in museums around Tayside.

This special live online event features a series of short presentations from staff and volunteers in 17 different museums across the region, in which you’ll discover that even the most ordinary looking object can have an amazing story to tell!

Find out more and book your place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/taysides-treasures-a-cornucopia-of-objects-from-across-taysides-museums-tickets-633961956277

Got the message? #dundeewestend

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

Our new exhibition Got the Message? in the Lamb Gallery at the university is now open as part of our contributions to Dundee Month of Design.

The exhibition explores the power of graphic design to change your life!

Featuring posters, product packaging, public health promotions and other material from the University of Dundee Museum Collections, we explore how text and images combine to influence the way you think or feel.

The exhibition also celebrates Dundee’s notable contributions to graphic design and advertising through the stories of many successful alumni from the Graphic Design course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

The shows runs until 29th July and will be open Monday to Saturday.

Further details can be found at www.dundee.ac.uk/events/got-message

Getting things done - Marchfield Road #dundeewestend

Residents highlighted to us some weeks ago that there were potholes on Marchfield Road and we reported this back in April to the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership.

We were thereafter assured that an Order has been made to ensure repairs are undertaken.

Some repairs were indeed carried out but the road still has obvious defects and signs of deterioration so we asked the Roads Maintenance Partnership for an update.    We have now received the following feedback.

“Repairs were carried out on 17th April for the orders raised following your original report. The local inspector will check Marchfield Road again.”

This further inspection has taken place and we were advised thereafter :

“The local inspector has raised further Category 3 defects for Marchfield Road so the repair timescale again will be within thirty days.”

It is our view that Marchfield Road and Marchfield Crescent could benefit from resurfacing and we will continue to press for this to happen in future roads capital programmes.

Face the Music Festival 2023 #dundeewestend

On Saturday 3rd June, there is a community music festival - the Face the Music Festival 2023 - at the University of Dundee's Chaplaincy Centre.

Taking place from 2.30pm to 6pm, all are welcome!

Balgay Park entrance at Scott Street #dundeewestend

We have received complaints about the road surface within the “triangle” at the Scott Street entrance to Balgay Park, which is badly deteriorated.

We raised this and the Roads Maintenance Partnership Manager has responded as follows :

“I have visit the area personally and confirm that I was only able to identify a single actionable defect which was situated at the junction of Scott Street and Balgay Road.

While the surface within this area is badly degraded and in need of a full reconstruction unfortunately due to the funding levels allocated to the Roads Maintenance Partnership and the low level usage of this street, full resurfacing of this area is not likely in the near future.

The Roads Maintenance Partnership will continue to monitor the areas condition through cyclical inspection and I will organise the repair of the single actionable defect.”

We responded asking that the loose debris on the road be swept up and received this further feedback :

“I will request that colleagues at neighbourhood services give this area a light sweep next time they are in the area.

Unfortunately, with the condition of the surface, this may actually cause further defects to appear however we will at least attempt to remove the worst of debris within this area.”

The current budget is wholly inadequate and far too few roads and footpaths are being upgraded.    At the council’s revenue budget earlier this year, the Liberal Democrat Group proposed an additional £2 million next year for roads resurfacing and £1 million on pavements resurfacing to properly tackle the state of many footpaths and road surfaces that we get so many complaints about.

Unfortunately the other parties voted this down but our group will continue to campaign for roads and pavements improvements.

Volunteer recruitment event

On Thursday 1st June, Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action is holding a volunteer recruitment fair in partnership with Just Bee productions.

Held at Meadowside St Paul’s Church in the Nethergate, it takes place from 10am to 2.30pm.

There's no better time to ask about volunteering than during #VolunteersWeekScot

Over twenty organisations will be there - all looking for volunteers – all welcome!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 22 MAY 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Hawkhill (Peddie Street to Annfield Road) – closed eastbound from 9.00am on Wednesday 7 June to 6.00am on Thursday 8 June for Scottish Water work.

City Road (at Tullideph Road) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 12 June to Thursday 15 June for O2 work.

West Port – lane closure for one week from Monday 26 June for street lighting work.

City Road (at Tullideph Road) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 June for O2 work.

Sunday band concerts for Summer 2023

The City Council organised Sunday band concerts for Summer 2023 are listed in the poster below - including those at Magdalen Green :

Getting this done - Richmond Terrace #dundeewestend

We recently had concerns about the state of the road surface in Richmond Terrace.

We raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and the Senior Engineer advised us as follows :

"I had Richmond Terrace inspected and some actionable potholes have been identified.

These will be repaired in due course. As for a full resurface, it does not score high enough at the moment to be in the programme

The roads are as you know constantly inspected and scored and should it deteriorate worse than others it will move up in the programme

Next financial year's programme will be developed early into 2024."

The Liberal Democrat Group at this year's council budget proposed an additional £2 million next year for roads resurfacing and £1 million on pavements resurfacing to properly tackle the state of many footpaths and road surfaces that we get so many complaints about.

That would have ensured roads like Richmond Terrace could have been resurfaced this financial year but the other parties voted this down.

We will continue to campaign for better road surfaces and pavements across the West End.

Service 17 bus service #dundeewestend

As residents will know, some time ago, the bus service 17 route was changed which took the bus away from its original route that included Lochee Road, Tullideph Road and Ancrum Road.

In the Ancrum Road and Tullideph Road area, access to buses has sharply reduced as a result with just the off-peak 6 and 204 services serving parts of the area.    The 6 does not operate at weekends and the 204 not on Sundays.  

The situation will deteriorate further in 2024 as the SNP administration on the City Council pushed through at this year's budget a full cut to supported bus services from next year which will see the 204 service end.   We opposed this axing of supported bus services but unfortunately the administration group won the vote.

Residents have regularly raised with us the lack of 7 day a week regular services in the Ancrum Road and Tullideph Road area - that also run in the evenings - and we asked the managing director of Xplore Dundee if he will look again at the 17 route when the next review of bus services/routes takes place.

He has responded positively as follows :

"I note your comments and I will raise them at the next service level review which is likely to be near summer."

Although this does not guarantee a solution, it is helpful that the situation will be reviewed and we will keep residents updated.

Musical Chairs workshop #dundeewestend

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

This Saturday - 20th May - from 2pm to 4pm at the University of Dundee Tower Building there's a Musical Chairs Workshop.

Join community musician and composer Claire Gorman to create a collaborative sound piece inspired by the shapes, colours, textures and stories of the University’s collection of 19th and 20th century chairs.

This is a chance to get up close with the University’s iconic chair collection and get creative in an afternoon of sound making.

Claire will guide participants through a collaborative process involving sound-making, mark-making, movement and creative writing to produce a final piece to be performed at the end of the session.

Expect a playful afternoon of creativity, sonic exploration and appreciation of chairs! You can book at www.dundee.ac.uk/events/musical-chairs-workshop

Plant Power 2023 at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden #dundeewestend

Getting things done - Tullideph Road #dundeewestend

Some weeks ago, a lorry damaged a tree in Tullideph Road near the junction with Ancrum Road.

The tree was badly damaged and had to be removed.

Residents asked us that a new tree is planted and the council's Forestry Officer has responded positively as follows :

"Yes, we will look at this during the planting season 2023/24 or earlier if we can."

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 15 MAY 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months for construction works.

Westfield Place - traffic control for one week from Monday 15 May for street lighting works.

Riverside Drive (at Airport) – off‑peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 16 May for DFT traffic loop repair.

Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Wednesday 17 May to 6.00am on Thursday 18 May for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Westfield Lane - traffic control for one week from Monday 22 May for street lighting works.

Hawkhill (Peddie Street to Annfield Road) – closed eastbound from 9.00am on Wednesday 7 June to 6.00am on Thursday 8 June for Scottish Water work.

Getting things done - Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

Residents have raised the uncared for state of the planters at the south end of Blackness Avenue near the Sinderins.

We raised this with the City Council and our local environment manager updated us as follows :

"I can inform that the planters at the foot of Blackness Avenue, Hawkhill side, have been cleared and, if not already done so, both planters will be restocked with new plants.

Once complete this will help improve the aesthetics of the area."

Getting things done - Tullideph Street and Tullideph Place #dundeewestend

At our recent meeting with local residents in the Tullideph sheltered lounge, a number of folk mentioned the need for road repairs in Tullideph Street and Tullideph Place.

We raised this with the Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now been advised that the local roads inspector has raised an Order for repairs to be undertaken.

Getting things done - Forest Park Place #dundeewestend

Recently one of the two paper/card recycling bins in Forest Park Place was damaged and thereafter removed, leaving only one paper bin, which was insufficient for the number of households in the street.

We asked for this to be sorted and am pleased to advise that it was agreed to provide an additional 1280 litre paper/card bin which is now in place.

We also asked for much needed road repairs in the street and were advised :

"An order has been raised for repairs to be carried out."

Victoria Gardens international food festival #dundeewestend

This is a new date for the Victoria Gardens international food festival - this Saturday - 13th May.

Come along to try food from different countries made with love by the garden volunteers.

Bring something if you want to share or just get ready to try something new - all welcome!

Road surface at West Park Road - an update #dundeewestend

As residents will be aware the section of West Park Road roughly north of the junction with Beechwood Terrace up to Blackness Road is a road in very poor condition.

Last year, we requested that it be considered for inclusion in the 2023/24 capital programme for resurfacing and this was agreed by the Roads Maintenance Partnership.

Unfortunately, thanks to the cut in the Roads Maintenance Partnership budget made by the SNP administration, it did not make it into the finalised programme this year and we again contacted the Roads Maintenance Partnership about this.

The Senior Engineer has since assured us as follows :

"West Park Road is right at the top of next year's list If anything drops out this year then we can do it. At the moment nothing is set to drop out but it is very early in the financial year."

Soup and Pudding Lunch this Saturday!

The annual soup and pudding charity event organised by Lesley Nicoll, Phil Welsh and Just Bee Productions happens this Saturday - May 13th.

Lunch will from the cook of cooks Alison Cruickshank, always superb and not to be missed!

All money will be donated to Penumbra, supporting mental health - a superb cause.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 8 MAY 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months for construction works.

South Tay Street (Tay Square to Artillery Lane) – closed for one week for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive (at Airport) – off‑peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 16 May for DFT traffic loop repair.

Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Wednesday 17 May to 6.00am on Thursday 18 May for Scottish Water work.

Volunteer at Victoria Gardens! #dundeewestend

Volunteer at the superb Victoria Gardens on Blackness Road!

Just e-mail victoriagardens@yyi.org.uk for further information - all welcome!

Getting things done - Balgay Road #dundeewestend

A tree in Balgay Road near the bus stop just south of the Scott Street junction was badly overgrown and residents pointed out that as buses came round the bend, passengers waiting at the stop could not be seen as foliage protruded across the stop.

We therefore contacted the council's Forestry Officer about this and he has since advised :

"I can confirm we have lifted the spruce branches and balanced the spruce tree."

Temporary Traffic Order - Trade Unions May Day March tomorrow

From the City Council :

THE ROADS (SCOTLAND) ACT 1984 - SECTION 62

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of the Trade Unions May Day March and Rally HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in:

1 Blackness Road (from Unite the Union car park to Hawkhill)

2 Hawkhill (from Blackness Road to West Marketgait)

3 West Marketgait (from Hawkhill to Nethergate)

4 Nethergate (from West Marketgait to High Street)

5 High Street (from Nethergate to Reform Street)

6 Reform Street

7 Albert Square

This notice comes into effect on Saturday 6 May 2023 from 12 noon to 13:00hrs.

The roads will be closed by Police Scotland on a rolling programme as detailed above.

Local diversions will be available.

For further information contact 433168.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Update from The Little Green Larder! #dundeewestend

From Jillian and The Little Green Larder team at 272 Perth Road :

We’re a more than profit social business that exists to make sustainable shopping easy, affordable and convenient.

We put the planet and the people in our community at the forefront of everything we do. Alongside donating a portion of our profits, we’ve fundraised over £4500 for local businesses and charities since opening in 2019. We donate excess food to community fridges, and dried foods to our local food banks.

The past few years haven’t been easy for us; we’ve come very close to closing our doors for good. But we don’t give up without a fight. So we’re adapting!

We’ll be investing funds into completely revamping the shop, and relaunching with a new community focused offering. As ever we want to support local as much as possible, offer affordable and sustainable options, and introduce new ways to support our community.

Since the pandemic we’ve received countless emails and phone calls from people in our area who are struggling and suffering from food poverty.

We want to pivot our offering, removing barriers to healthy and affordable on-the-go food, and helping as many people as possible. Introducing freshly made health focused lunch offerings, and a pay it forward wall where anyone grab a voucher for a hot drink or something to eat. No questions asked.

We can’t do this without support from our stakeholders and local community, via our recently launched Crowdfunder campaign at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/thelittlegreenlarder

Open Studios at WASPS #dundeewestend

Open Studios at WASPS Studios is on 6th and 7th May!

Come and meet the designers and artists - chat, browse and buy from the amazing residents at Meadow Mill.

Chill out with drinks and nibbles from Dundee's delicious EH9 Espresso.

Lift access. Collect your permit at the door for onsite parking (subject to spaces available).

All very welcome!

Controlled entry for Ancrum Place and Morven Terrace #dundeewestend

From the Project Officer (Housing & Communities) at the City Council :

Bailie Macpherson and Councillor Crichton

Following on from earlier correspondence I advise that the installation of controlled entry for the upper flats of Morven Terrace and Ancrum Place is due to commence today - Tuesday 2nd May - with the installation of the doors at the foot of the stairwells.

Communal electrical works and access to residents flats for wiring in the attic space and the installation of handsets will take place in the following weeks with all works complete and the system in full operation by the end of June.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 1 MAY 2023

Hawkhill (at Peddie Street) – temporary traffic lights on Friday 5 May for Scottish Water work.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months for construction works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive (at airport) – off peak temporary traffic lights Tuesday 16 May for DFT traffic loop repair.

Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) – temporary traffic lights Wednesday 17 (9.00am) to Thursday 18 May (6.00am) for Scottish Water work.

"Hidden Joy" project at Blackness Library #dundeewestend

Can you help Cherleyne with her art project?

She’d like feedback on her ‘Hidden Joy’ project on display in Blackness Library.

Come in and have a go at an interactive puzzle, and let Cherleyne know what you think before her degree show at Duncan of Jordanstone this May!

GP services - public holidays

GPs in Tayside will be closed on Monday 1st and Monday 8th May.

Find out more ➡️ rightcaretayside.scot.nhs.uk

Getting things done - Oxford Street and Eton Street #dundeewestend

Residents have raised the issue of the missing goal posts at the Oxford Street/Eton Street grass area.   The former ones are pictured below.

We raised this with the City Council and have received helpful feedback as follows from our local environment manager :

"I am aware that the eleven a side goals were removed from this location some time ago and that this site is no longer a bookable and useable eleven a side pitch for association football matches. 

However, I have discussed this site with colleagues to provide a suitable “kick about area” for local children by installing a smaller football area for use, although this will be an unmarked pitch.

We have provisional plans to install / form the smaller football area using smaller seven a side sized goals. I have no provisional timeframe for the installation at this time but we are progressing towards this. 

Please leave this with me and I will provide you with an additional update as soon as possible."

Rest and Reflect at Blackness Library #dundeewestend

From Blackness Library :

"Rest and Reflect is a free meditation group at Blackness Library, come along for some peace from life’s chaos, and enjoy a little ‘me time’ in the comfort of our cosy Carnegie library!

Saturday 29th April: 10am-11am, and every second Saturday thereafter."

Open lecture at Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education #dundeewestend

 

On Friday 28th April, Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education will be joined by Dr Anthony Gorman - author and senior lecturer in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

He will deliver an interesting lecture entitled "The Intellectual and Political Roots of Arabic Teaching at Edinburgh".

Follow the link to the college's Eventbrite page to register your attendance:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-lecture-the-intellectual-and-political-roots-of-arabic-teaching-tickets-617611571837

Kidical Mass Dundee

Kidical Mass Dundee is taking place again next Saturday - April 29th.

Kidical Mass is a family-friendly bike ride and invites families to join them on a short bike ride to build cycling confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging in our youth.

The ride also highlights a need for more and better cycling infrastructure in our city - space for the next generation.

If you would like to join, come with your bike to the Riverside Pitches on Saturday, April 29th at 1pm - all welcome!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 24 APRIL 2023

Abbotsford Street (at Seymour Street) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 April for Hyperoptic work.

City Road (Logie Street to Tullideph Place) – closed for one week for Scottish Water work.

West Park Road (at Roxburgh Terrace) – temporary traffic lights for one week for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Hawkhill (at Peddie Street) – temporary traffic lights on Friday 5 May for Scottish Water work.

Community gardens beyond communities exhibition

It was a pleasure for us both to attend the community gardens beyond communities exhibition yesterday at the Larick Centre in Tayport and we are grateful to West End resident Daisy MacGowan for the kind invitation. We are pictured with Daisy and Jenny Glen of the University of Dundee who has led the community gardens beyond communities project.

The project that focused on the role of local community activism in addressing climate change and related challenges faced by urban centres and involved academic partners from Scotland, Brazil, Portugal, Nepal, the USA and Kenya.

You can read the project report, beautifully designed and illustrated by Daisy, here.

The exhibition is open again today from 11am to 5pm.

Getting things done - Bankmill Road #dundeewestend

Residents recently complained to us about the extent of graffiti in Bankmill Road.

We raised this with the council's environment management and received a helpful response promising to power wash the graffiti off.

Earth Day at Victoria Gardens #dundeewestend

 

Dundee Art Society talk #dundeewestend

Tomorrow night - Friday 21st of April - from 7pm to 9pm at Roseangle Gallery, Dundee Art Society invites residents to enjoy a master class by world renowned watercolourist and artist.

Angus McEwan will showcase his work and discuss his techniques in watercolour revealing his secrets and mastery of the landscape in all its forms covering themes like colour choice, textures, materials and how to use them, and composition.

All welcome!

Good to Grow Day 2023 at Ninewells Community Garden #dundeewestend

On Friday 21st April, as part of Good To Grow Day 2023, Ninewells Community Garden will host an open afternoon in the garden.

It takes place from 1pm to 3pm.

The team will offer tours of the space and show you how to make paper pots, what plants you can eat and its Fix It Team will show you how to make repairs to your garden tools.

All welcome - more details are available at www.goodtogrowuk.org/map/?o=13014

HERA - Harris Education and Recreation Association - enrolment tomorrow #dundeewestend

The next term of HERA evening classes is due to run in May and June.

Enrolment for classes will open at an event in Harris Academy tomorrow - Wednesday 19th April.

If you are interested in joining a class next term, please come along between 6pm and 7pm - all welcome!

More information is available at www.tiny.cc/HERA-enrolment

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17 APRIL 2023

McGonagall Square - traffic control from Monday 10 April for 2 weeks for street lighting replacement works.

Tay Square (southmost leg off South Tay Street) – closed from Tuesday 11 April for 2 weeks for Scottish Water work.

Quiz night at Logie and St John's (Cross) Church #dundeewestend

There's a quiz night next Saturday at Logie and St John's (Cross) Church at 7pm.

Contact details for the church if you are interested in attending are available at www.logies.org/contact-us

 

Locality Community Plan for the West End #dundeewestend

Community Planning is about bringing services and the community together at a local level, in order to plan and deliver better services in that community, which make a positive difference to the lives of local residents.

In Dundee, this is delivered through Local Community Planning Partnerships and the local community plan for the West End is available to read at :

www.dundeecity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/locality_community_plans_22-27_west_end.pdf

Temporary Traffic Order - Brown Street

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 construction works. The Order is expected to be in force for thirteen months from 17th April 2023. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Brown Street from Douglas Street for a distance of 50 metres or thereby south.

An alternative route will be available via Douglas Street, Blinshall Street and Miln Street.

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or call 433082.