Wednesday 2 April 2008

Perth Road - Scotland Gas Networks mains replacement

The advertisement in today's Courier from Scotland Gas Networks (also to appear in tonight's Evening Telegraph - click on the headline above to view) advising that part of Perth Road will be closed for many weeks, will be of concern to many residents and businesses.

I recently met with Scotland Gas Networks and City Council officials in my capacity as City Council Planning & Transport Convener to discuss the proposed closure, to look for ways of ensuring works are carried out as quickly as possible and also to ensure the continuing running of all public transport.

As I indicated in the Courier and on Wave 102 this morning, there is no doubt that there will be a very significant impact by this work and, whilst Scotland Gas Networks has explained that the work is absolutely necessary for safety reasons, I am anxious to ensure that the work is carried out as quickly as possible and that the impact on the local area is minimised as much as possible.

We have, of course, already had experience of this sort of disruption in Perth Road back in 2001, when the then North of Scotland Water Authority closed the road for many weeks for work it was then undertaking. I was anxious therefore to meet with Scotland Gas Networks and City Council officials to discuss all aspects. I have been assured that works will progress as quickly as humanly possible, but clearly in the lead up to August, the closure of the through route on Perth Road between Roseangle and the Sinderins will have significant adverse impact.

I have been advised that access for pedestrians and delivery vehicles will be maintained and that public transport will run to the normal timetable, although the main service buses will have to run via Hawkhill during the works.

In 2001, one of the difficulties elderly people who live south of Perth Road – in the Perth Road lanes such as Thomson Street, Paton’s Lane and Step Row – had an uphill climb to Hawkhill to catch the bus.




It is therefore essential that the Number 72 smaller bus that runs along Roseangle and Magdalen Yard Road runs throughout the period of the work. During the second phase when the roadworks are on Perth Road/Nethergate between Roseangle and South Tay Street, there will be through traffic one direction, so the 72 can do its eastbound journey as normal.




I asked for assurances that the westbound route in the Magdalen Yard Road area is maintained and I have been given this assurance. It will be achieved by the bus making an outward detour along Hawkhill then back to the Magdalen Yard Road/Roseangle area but at least the service will be maintained throughout.

I have updated West End Community Council and those of my ward councillor colleagues currently available, about the works.




Scotland Gas Networks has promised me that it will be writing to affected households and making contact with all businesses. I am extremely anxious that any concerns from local businesses and residents are promptly addressed.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ORDER PERTH ROAD ISSUED BY DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating works for the replacement of gas mains. The Order is expected to be in force for twenty four weeks from 21 April 2008. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Perth Road and Nethergate, Dundee as follows:

Full road closure (between Paton's Lane and Roseangle from Monday 21 April 2008 to Monday 11 August 2008 (16 weeks). During these works there will also be a full closure of the junction of Roseangle and Nethergate for one week.

Westbound road closure in Nethergate (between South Tay Street and Roseangle) from Monday 28 July to Monday 29 September (9 weeks). During these works there will be a suspension of parking on the north side of Perth Road/Nethergate between South Tay Street and Roseangle.

Paton's Lane/Westfield Place/Greenfield Place; the rescinding of the existing one-way traffic orders on these three streets for the duration of the works.
These three streets will be closed for the duration of the works except for resident's access and deliveries.

All roads (on the south side only consisting of Paton's Lane, Thomson Street/Seafield Lane/Seafield Road/Westfield Lane/Westfield Place/Westfield Avenue/Greenfield Place) between Paton's Lane and Roseangle will be closed at their junction of Perth Road.

Suspension of parking on Roseangle between Monday 21 April 2008 and Monday 29 September 2008.

The complete project will be carried out in phases to minimise any disruption.

An alternative route will be available via West Marketgait, Hawkhill and Perth Road.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to the Network Management Team, Planning and Transportation Department, Tayside House, Crichton Street, Dundee, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.

If you have any queries please contact the City Council on 433168.