With thanks to Dundee Westenders, this is a fantastic photo of three ladies at the bottom of Watson’s Lane.
Watson’s Lane was a narrow back lane branching north from Hawkhill.
Sunday, 5 July 2020
Saturday, 4 July 2020
Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT
Please note that most works are subject to change and late completion due to the restrictive measures in place following UK and Scottish Government advice that only emergency/urgent works and those considered essential should take place during this period.
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - SATURDAY 4 AND SUNDAY 5 JULY 2020
Riverside Drive at Botanic Gardens – narrow lanes on Sunday 5 July for Scottish Water Ironwork Repairs
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 JULY 2020
20mph speed limit zone road marking and traffic sign works commencing Monday 29 June 2020 for 2 weeks to improve road safety for the higher levels of pedestrians and cyclists in the following streets in the Perth Road area: Roseangle, Magdalen Yard Road, Richmond Terrace, Richmond Court, Fort Street, Nethergate from its junction with West Marketgait to its junction with Perth Road, Perth Road from its junction with Nethergate to its junction with Hawkhill, Minto Place, Strawberrybank, Osborne Place (where adopted), Shepherds Loan, Taylors Lane, Spinners Wynd, Union Place, Step Row, Patons Lane, McGonagall Square, Tayfield Place, Provost McGowan Place, Thomson Street, Seafield Lane, Seafield Road, Seafield Close, Bellfield Avenue, Magdalen Place, Westfield Lane, Westfield Place, Westfield Avenue, Greenfield Place, Park Place (where adopted), Pennycook Lane, St Peter Street, Ryehill Lane, West Wynd, Mid Wynd, Millers Wynd (where adopted), Springfield, Hawkhill Place, Artillery Lane, Cross Lane, Temple Lane, South Tay Street, Palais Court, Tay Street Lane, Tay Square, Long Wynd, West Port, Old Hawkhill and Hunter Street.
Forthcoming Road Works
Greenbank Place – closed from Monday 5 August for 3 working days for carriageway resurfacing works.
Friday, 3 July 2020
Bins at Riverside Drive - an update #dundeewestend
Residents will recall that I recently highlighted the need for "gull proof" bins on Riverside Drive near to the Bridgeview Café.
I raised this with the City Council and have received the following helpful update from our local environment manager :
"An update on the bins beside the Bridgeview Café.
We managed to locate the 3 gull proof bins that were originally installed at this location and removed by the contractors on the building of the sea defences. These were installed back at their original locations yesterday and the other litter bins removed.
Hopefully this will resolve the problems we have been experiencing recently but we will continue to monitor the situation."
See photo below!
Thursday, 2 July 2020
Lovely wild flowers! #dundeewestend
Many thanks to local resident Jill for these lovely photos of wild flowers in our area!
Wednesday, 1 July 2020
Have A Go Activity Packs!
A really useful update from Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action :
“We are working in partnership with HOPE and Grey Lodge to put together activity packs to encourage older people to continue to keep active during lockdown. We want them to know that they are not alone and to encourage them to keep active both mentally and physically. These packs will provide practical items to keep people active during the ongoing restrictions therefore helping with their overall health and wellbeing. These packs will be hand delivered by volunteers and allow people to feel connected to the community and give reassurance they have not been forgotten. The packs will also contain information on services that can help during this time again to help the person feel supported.
We are concerned about the numbers of older people who are telling us that they are worried about the restrictions lifting and as a result are scared to go out and get back to whatever the new 'normal' will look like as well as those who are keen but who will have lost their physical strength.
For each referral, we will deliver 3 activity packs to older people identified as being socially isolated, digitally excluded and who are needing a little something to keep them going that will improve their wellbeing and positivity - at the start of July, August and September.
The first will contain activities to improve mental health and keep the brain ticking over; the second will look at physical health and the 3rd will contain information on what redesigned services might look like by then with social distancing measures in place.
The first activity pack will be issued at the end start of July and will provide practical items to keep people active during the ongoing restrictions of lockdown both mentally and physically therefore helping with their overall health and wellbeing. The packs will include adult activity puzzles, colouring in books, colouring pencils atc and service information sheet for those needing support. Books and jigsaws can be added on request.
The second activity pack will be issued at the start of August and will take the form of a newsletter that will address mindfulness and physical health. We will include more strength building easy exercises sheets to help prevent falls. Additional activity sheets will be provided along with local history stories and puzzles.
This pack will also address what supporting people will need to get back out into the community.
The third pack will be delivered at the start of September hopefully when restrictions in the greatest part will be closer to being removed. This pack will therefore be about looking forward and planning to get out and about again. It will be in the form of a further newsletter and will contain information on local services that have re-opened/ are re-opening and what services’ new working procedures look like. We plan to include a reusable face mask and hand sanitiser to add in to this pack as people may be wary of going out without these items and it has been difficult sourcing these items from local shops.
We are keen to reach people in particular who would struggle to gain access to this information otherwise as they dont have the digital means or social networks to keep them informed.
We are looking to reach people who are:
• aged 55 and over
• socially isolated
• digitally excluded
• and who's wellbeing could be improved if they were to receive a pack.
If interested, please contact Maureen at HOPE on 0300 123 2640 option 2 and ask for Maureen at HOPE or by using the email HOPE@Hillcrest.org.uk with the name, address, age and telephone number of the person you would like to receive this.
Please note the closing date for referrals is this Friday - 3rd July - as we hope to deliver the following week. Numbers are limited.
This project has been made possible due to funding received from The Big Lottery Supporting Communities Fund.”
Tuesday, 30 June 2020
Further update for 30th June during the COVID-19 emergency
Further update - for Tuesday 30th June – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry) :
FURTHER RELEASE OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
There is to be further easing of the lockdown. These changes are dependent on the continued suppression of the virus.
From Thursday 2nd July
• Subject to the go ahead of from advisors we may see relaxation of 2 metre physical distancing- based on scientific recommendations. This may see facemasks made mandatory in shops from that date.
From Friday 3rd July
• You can travel for more than five miles for leisure and recreation purposes.
• Self-contained holiday accommodation – for example holiday cottages and lodges, or caravans where there are no shared services - can open. The tourism sector will not open fully until the 15 July.
From Monday 6th July
• Outdoor hospitality such as beer gardens can re-open.
From 10th July
• Households will be able to meet people from more households outdoors.
From 13th July
• Organised outdoor sports for children and young people can resume.
• Non-essential shops within indoor shopping centres will re-open.
From 15th July
• A household will be able to meet indoors with people from up to two other households.
• Indoor locations such as museums, galleries, monuments, cinemas and libraries will also be able to reopen. Tickets must be secured in advance. Theatres, bingo halls, nightclubs, casinos and other ‘live’ entertainment venues will not re-open until a later date.
• Pubs and restaurants will open indoors.
• Hairdressers and barbers will re-open. Other personal retail services will remain closed until a later date.
SCHOOLS TO REOPEN IN AUGUST
It is now the intention for pupils to return to school full time on August 11th.
Willie supports the change. Many parents and pupils will be relieved as it now means children and young people will get the education they need, and we can get back on top of the inequality gap.
However, many teachers, who are already exhausted from the last few months of remote teaching, were taken by surprise and are anxious about what it means for their safety.
Willie has been pressing the government on whether they will have time to adapt to the new arrangements, whether they will have the resources and whether they will be tested. Shielding teachers and pupils also need clarity.
CHILDCARE
Willie Rennie MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, has asked repeatedly about childcare, especially over the summer, for thousands of parents returning to work. If parents are being asked by the government to return to work, the government has a duty to ensure there is enough childcare for them.
Willie takes a cautious approach on easing the lockdown because he wants people to be safe but the new plan to ease the lockdown remains disjointed. Parents are being asked to go back to work by the government when childminders and nurseries are limited in capacity until the middle of July.
Outdoor children’s summer clubs and activities will also not be allowed to open for another few weeks. It seems illogical to allow outdoor pubs to open before outdoor summer clubs for children.
He will continue to press the government for a joined-up plan.
RESTARTING MORE HEALTH SERVICES
Willie Rennie MSP has also been making the case for the restart of health services because of the impact delayed operations and treatment has on the health of lots of people. Now progress is being made.
Urgent referrals and triage of routine services in key specialties such as Cardiology, Urology, and Trauma and Orthopaedics, will be resumed gradually.
Health boards will reintroduce any suspended GP services. Patients will be triaged by telephone. There will be a greater use of telephone and video consultations.
From yesterday, health boards are able to gradually resume some screening services including endoscopies and other diagnostic tests.
Also from yesterday all community optometry practices are able to resume seeing patients face-to-face who have emergency and essential eye problems, as well as continuing to manage as many of these patients remotely as possible. The Emergency Eyecare Treatment Centres closes.
From Monday 6th July, health boards will reintroduce some chronic disease management, which could include pain services, diabetic services.
CARE HOME VISITING
Care home residents will be able to receive visitors outside from 3rd July.
A single nominated visitor wearing a face covering face covering can meet a care home resident out of doors.
Controlled indoor visits and wider use of communal areas by residents might be introduced later but only if the home has been COVID-free throughout the pandemic or if all affected residents have fully recovered and no residents have had symptoms for 28 days.
SHIELDING
The Government plan to move away from the current position of blanket guidance for all shielding people, to more tailored advice about risk and how to mitigate it.
Willie Rennie MSP asked the Health Secretary this week about advice for those over 70. Many have been shielding when it was not necessary and others have not been careful enough. She said new advice would be published soon.
HEALTH AND CARE STAFF TESTING
Staff who work in specialist cancer services, or provide long-term care for the elderly, as well as staff working in residential mental health, will be offered weekly coronavirus testing from 8th July.
In addition, from June 29th all staff in hospitals and care home who interact with patients or residents will be required to wear a medical face mask throughout their shift. Anyone entering care homes and hospitals will also be asked to wear a face covering throughout. Face coverings will also be required when attending a hospital appointment.
DENTISTS
Dental practices will be able to see NHS patients who need urgent care for face-to-face consultation, using procedures which limit the risk of spread of the coronavirus such as non-aerosol generating procedures. This will mean up to an additional 10,000 appointment slots will be available per day across Scotland.
HOMELESSNESS
Willie asked the Housing Minister how he was going to keep homelessness down after the pandemic. Great efforts have been made by councils and charities to cut the number of people without a home but we need a long term solution. The minister gave examples of the plans being made and the additional housing capacity built.
B & B HARDSHIP FUND
The new Bed and Breakfast Hardship Fund is designed to support small serviced accommodation providers who have not been able to access support through other government backed schemes as a result of their banking status.
TOURISM ADVICE
There is new guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector, including procedures for staff and customer safety and an operations checklist.
MOVING HOME
From yesterday, all home moves are permitted. This includes students moving home and other home moves resulting in two households merging. It also applies to custom and self-builders looking to acquire a plot or a property to renovate or to demolish.
People can leave their homes in order to move home and undertake activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property including:
• visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes
• viewing a residential property to look for a property to buy or rent
• preparing a residential property to move in
• moving home or
• visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.
People working for relevant organisations and businesses can also travel to work where necessary in order to undertake these activities in a safe manner.
RETAIL GUIDANCE
There is new guidance for shops and customers.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
From yesterday, you are able to register the birth of your baby. Contact Dundee 435222 or email registrars@dundeecity.gov.uk - your name will be added to the list in order and the team will make an appointment for you in due course.
Also from yesterday, marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can take place outdoors, with up to a maximum of eight people and observing physical distancing measures.
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only - 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list - 0800 111 4000
NHS Inform - https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
Health Protection Scotland Guidance - www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
Ready Scotland Information - www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares - www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend
Monday, 29 June 2020
Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend
Please note that most works are subject to change and late completion due to the restrictive measures in place following UK and Scottish Government advice that only emergency/urgent works and those considered essential should take place during this period.
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 JUNE 2020
20mph speed limit zone road marking and traffic sign works commencing Monday 29 June 2020 for 2 weeks to improve road safety for the higher levels of pedestrians and cyclists in the following streets in the Perth Road area: Roseangle, Magdalen Yard Road, Richmond Terrace, Richmond Court, Fort Street, Nethergate from its junction with West Marketgait to its junction with Perth Road, Perth Road from its junction with Nethergate to its junction with Hawkhill, Minto Place, Strawberrybank, Osborne Place (where adopted), Shepherds Loan, Taylors Lane, Spinners Wynd, Union Place, Step Row, Patons Lane, McGonagall Square, Tayfield Place, Provost McGowan Place, Thomson Street, Seafield Lane, Seafield Road, Seafield Close, Bellfield Avenue, Magdalen Place, Westfield Lane, Westfield Place, Westfield Avenue, Greenfield Place, Park Place (where adopted), Pennycook Lane, St Peter Street, Ryehill Lane, West Wynd, Mid Wynd, Millers Wynd (where adopted), Springfield, Hawkhill Place, Artillery Lane, Cross Lane, Temple Lane, South Tay Street, Palais Court, Tay Street Lane, Tay Square, Long Wynd, West Port, Old Hawkhill and Hunter Street.
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Buses update from 29th June 2020
From Dundee City Council :
From Monday, 29 June 2020, the commercial and supported bus network in Dundee will begin to return to something close to its pre-Covid levels. Xplore Dundee and Stagecoach are proposing to operate around 80% to 85% of their registered journeys. For the last three months around 30% of journeys have been operated. To allow this to happen, there has been a deal negotiated between the Scottish Government and the bus industry and Transport Scotland has agreed to meet shortfalls in passenger revenue. Full details can be found on operators' websites.
In Dundee, the two supported services operated by Stagecoach East Scotland (Service 202 and Service 206) will commence operation again. They were suspended in March 2020. The other supported services, Service 236 operated by Moffat & Williamson and Service 9/10 (Outer Circle) operated by Xplore Dundee have continued to operate throughout lockdown.
There is expected to be further changes in late summer which will hopefully see a further increase in frequencies and service provision.
Prior to lockdown, Xplore Dundee had consulted on a number of service changes that were due to take effect on 12 April 2020. These changes will be implemented this weekend.
We will update all our real time information and all bus users are being asked to refer to Traveline Scotland and bus operator websites for accurate and up to date timetables. We are not currently in a position to update roadside publicity but will keep this under review.
Saturday, 27 June 2020
Friday, 26 June 2020
Peer Support Line from Making Recovery Real in Dundee
The Peer Support Line from Making Recovery Real in Dundee is a great resource 📞
The phone line is managed by peer support workers and volunteers, who use their own lived experience of mental health, to provide a friendly voice to others struggling with theirs, during current challenging circumstances.
Anyone is welcome to call or text - find contact details below :
Thursday, 25 June 2020
Take pride in your city - June 2020 newsletter #takepridedundee #dundee
The Take Pride in your city newsletter gives an update on the great work undertaken by Dundee's environmental and horticultural groups.
The June 2020 newsletter includes updates about the Gate Church Carbon Saving Project, the Bonnie Dundee Group and Ninewells Community Garden.
You can read the newsletter here.
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Honeysuckle at Riverside! #dundeewestend
Many thanks to the resident who sent me this lovely photograph of Honeysuckle at Riverside :
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
Another update during the COVID-19 emergency
Further update - for Tuesday 23rd June – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry) :
EASING OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS – MOVING TO PHASE 2
People who are shielding are now able to leave their home for exercise and to meet with one other household outdoors (max eight people in total) with physical distancing. People who are shielding can take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, fishing etc.
People who are not shielding can now meet with more households outside. The limit increased from meeting one other household to meeting two households; eight-person overall limit and need for physical distancing remains. They can also use toilets indoors while visiting the outdoors of another household. (Hygiene measures are essential.)
People living alone or single people who live with their children can ‘bubble up’ with another household to create an extended household and act without social distancing as if they were living together. This includes non-cohabiting couples.
Also - from yesterday :
• Face coverings are mandatory on public transport.
• Places of worship can re-open for individual prayer or contemplation.
• Professional sport can resume – with public health restrictions remaining in place.
• Dental practices can re-open to see patients with urgent care needs.
• Construction sector can implement remaining phases of sectoral plan.
• College and university staff can return to make essential preparations for restart later.
• Accommodation can be provided for those required to stay away from home for work purposes.
From Monday 29th June:
• Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented. Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.
• Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres / malls remain closed for non-essential shops.
• Outdoor markets can re-open.
• Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.
• Outdoor sports courts can re-open.
• Playgrounds can re-open.
• Registration offices open for high priority tasks.
• Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees – outdoors only.
• Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (5 miles).
• Review and announcement on how pubs and restaurants can open outdoor spaces safely on 2 July
FACE COVERINGS
With face coverings becoming mandatory on transport from Monday, the UK government have produced a guide for people to make their own: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
Please remember that medical grade masks are in short supply and are needed by our frontline workers.
CONTINUATION OF FOOD PROVISION AND FREE SCHOOL PAYMENTS OVER SUMMER
Children and families in Dundee will continue receiving their free school meal payments over the summer holiday period. The scheme will be extended from 29th June until 10th August in order to minimise the effects Coronavirus (Covid-19) is having on families. The extension was agreed today by the leaders of the political groups on Dundee City Council under essential business arrangements.
Since lockdown began, over 6,800 families with children eligible for free school meals have received the weekly payments directly to their bank accounts. The extension will mean families will continue to receive £11.25 directly, on a weekly basis, per child. Additionally, the Council’s will continue support for the city’s Food Insecurity Network with continued financial support to Dundee’s community food banks for food provision efforts over the summer holiday period.
The community food provision efforts have led to over 4,400 people benefiting from the service per week, which is a collaborative effort by 24 local food organisations, Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action and Dundee City Council.
Furthermore, Dundee Bairns have successfully been working with the Council since the start of lockdown to meet food demand, distributing up to 740 packed lunches daily through their network of community organisations. This will continue during the holiday period.
GREEN HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
The Green Health Prescription project still accepting referrals to help mitigate the adverse health effects of COVID-19.
In order to help combat the effects of social isolation, loneliness, stress, lack of physical activity and other side-effects detrimental to wellbeing it will continue to welcome self-referrals. If you or anyone you know could benefit from engaging with some level of physical activity, please contact us at GreenHealth@dvva.scot or on 07719 969 629.
The Partnership indicates, “We are currently working on creating a bespoke programme of activities delivered online for those who are 50+. Please get in touch if you would like to hear more about these activities and how they will be delivered.
Registered prescribers are encouraged to continue sending Green Health Prescription referrals so that we can help people start to rebuild their confidence and physical abilities. Priority will be given to those most vulnerable and affected by poor mental and physical health, and we will endeavour to help patients socialise again and access the outdoors for health benefits either through means of home-based activities.”
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only - 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list - 0800 111 4000
NHS Inform - https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
Health Protection Scotland Guidance - www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
Ready Scotland Information - www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares - www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend
Monday, 22 June 2020
Another great online gardening event! #dundeewestend
Another great online event tomorrow, promoted by Ninewells Community Garden - "Testing and improving your garden soil - Workshop and Q&A".
You can get full details here.
Sunday, 21 June 2020
Biodiversity initiatives for the West End and across the city
Numerous constituents have contacted me and the City Council’s environment team in Neighbourhood Services about trying to keep biodiversity gains as the maintenance of parks and other open-spaces re-starts. Residents will shortly notice the maintenance in parks and open space areas starts up again as there has been good progress with the re-start of ‘phase one’ of the resumption of services – for example in cemeteries and sheltered housing areas.
The Head of Environment has advised :
“… over the last 3 months, I have received substantial correspondence from residents requesting that the council actively considers not defaulting to previous grounds maintenance programmes, particularly in relation to reinstating grass cutting and herbicide usage. That, instead, the council takes this opportunity to consider a reset within our parks and green spaces which allows the further rapid development and expansion of bio-diverse and naturalised areas.
As the service emerges out of lockdown, in managing our environment there is also a requirement to balance active promotion of conservation practices and the desires of many within our communities with the need to maintain high environmental standards which also respects the wishes of our many other residents who wish to see a priority towards returning parks and green spaces to a high level of maintenance, preferably being restored at the earliest opportunity.
Recently, residents within the city's West End, through discussion with local members, their Community Council and the Friends of Magdalen Green, have been working with council officers to undertake a community consultation. This actively seeks the views of residents to determine the appetite for a number of naturalised zones to be created; and for their potential future development as biodiversity areas which actively promotes the preservation of species and development of wider ecosystems.
Please see the link here.
It is hoped that the Magdalen Green consultation will provide a useful benchmark from which similar community initiatives, where required, can be replicated across the city to ensure that local spaces are managed to meet the aspirations of the wider communities, which they serve.
In the meantime, however, there is a requirement, prior to commencing with the wider reinstatement of grass cutting operations, to consider the immediate opportunity for additional locations throughout the city to be re-evaluated to support the wider introduction of biodiversity and naturalised areas at a quicker pace. This window is only available at this time due to the unique circumstances that have arisen over the last couple of months through routine maintenance having ceased, due to the pandemic.
In preparation, officers have undertaken an extensive citywide survey which has initially identified over 700,000m2 of parks and green spaces (around 17.5% of the overall grass that is currently maintained within Dundee's parks and green spaces), which can be immediately designated as provisional Biodiversity or Naturalised Zones. These areas have been carefully selected from within each ward in the city.
The proposal initially is that as wider grounds maintenance activities resume citywide, these zones will be clearly defined and no further grass cutting or herbicide treatment will take place forthwith. It should also be noted that, through careful selection, these zones are being created within wider areas where a full range of grounds and parks maintenance activities will resume. It is therefore anticipated that these will not impact in any significant way to the overall appearance of the park or green space which they contribute towards. Indeed, it is likely in many cases, through the development of biodiversity zones and wildflower areas, these areas will actively enhance the beauty of our parks and green spaces.
It is also worth noting that careful attention has been taken, in identifying these proposed zones, that they will not impinge on existing pathways, sight lines, or within close proximity of residents homes. Similarly, care has been taken to ensure that the existing natural desire lines used by park users and particularly dog walkers will be unaffected by these proposals. There may also need for similar community engagement, to that currently underway at Magdalen Green, where required, however it is anticipated that there equally may be broad acceptance of these proposals, given the current collective support towards the protection and enhancement of our environment.
In summary, I believe that the above represents a significant and positive shift towards delivering upon actions that have been identified both within the city's Biodiversity Plan and underlines a renewed focus towards our wider responsibility to the environment and reinvigorating our parks.”
In the West End, the actual proposals for naturalised areas are below. They cover part of the area on Riverside Drive near the playing fields and sections of Lochee Park, Victoria Park and at Elliot Road. There’s also Magdalen Green as the Head of Environment has alluded to above and you can see the areas consulted upon there at the link in his above comments.
I have spoken with the Head of Environment about this and given him some feedback. For example, the Elliot Road proposals, in my view, have the potential to look untidy and some residents on Eton Street look right out onto this. However, what is important is that, once open space and parks maintenance is fully back up to date, residents see what these actually look like, give their views and the council listens to any concerns and is responsive to them.
Saturday, 20 June 2020
Update about recycling centres
From the City Council :
Dundee City Council is to expand its recycling service to residents by extending operating hours and accepting more waste materials.
From Monday 22nd June, residents will have to access Baldovie Household Waste Recycling Centre from 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on the weekends. The Riverside recycling centre will also expand hours to 9am to 5pm daily.
The facilities will begin accepting clothing & textiles, batteries, fluorescent tubes, oil, TV’s & monitors, soil and turf in addition to the previous materials, such as general waste, garden waste, wood, metals, rubble, fridges & freezers, and gas cylinders & bottles.
Additional vehicles will be granted access to the centres from Monday if they have the relevant permit. This will include vans, pick-ups, 8 to 11 seated mini-buses and vehicles with a single-axle trailer being accepted on site.
The revised service comes as the Council continues its recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Household Waste Recycling Centres will maintain its strict guidelines and physical distancing at all times.
A number of rules must be followed in order to maintain a safe and controlled environment.
These include :
• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or self-isolating should NOT visit any HWRC site;
• The number of cars on site will be strictly limited;
• No commercial vans or twin-axle trailers will be allowed;
• Individuals should only visit when necessary, avoid queues and consider revisiting when quieter;
• No business waste will be accepted;
• We will be unable to provide assistance on site so only load items you can unload yourself;
• No walk-in disposals of waste will be allowed;
• The two-metre physical distancing rule must be respected at all times.
Further guidance on the Household Waste Recycling Centres is available on the Dundee City Council website here.
Residents are advised to check the website and social media channels before traveling, as rules are subject to change.
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