Wednesday 31 July 2019

Getting things done - Benvie Road #dundeewestend

Following concerns from residents about graffiti at the top of Benvie Road, I am very grateful to the City Council's Rapid Response Team for its prompt response to my request to remove it - as you can see the fencing in question is now in a far more acceptable state :

I have also raised with a landowner the need to tidy up the very overgrown ground opposite this fencing :

Tuesday 30 July 2019

Getting things done - phone box - Magdalen Green - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, back in May of this year, BT promised me that it would repaint the phone box on Magdalen Green that was badly in need of a lick of paint.

I am pleased to say that BT was as good as its word and the phone box was repainted last week :
Before
After

Monday 29 July 2019

ART FOR ALL - The Pioneering Story of Public Art in Dundee

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


Dundee has an exceptional collection of over 500 sculptures, murals, mosaics and other forms of public art.    Since 2018, the University of Dundee Museum Services have been leading a major project to research, catalogue and promote this unique resource.    This exhibition showcases photographs of artworks past and present as well as unique behind-the-scenes material such as models, design sketches and installation images.

In particular, the exhibition explores the pioneering history of the Blackness Public Art Programme of the early 1980s, which attracted international attention for its ground-breaking approach.    This marked the beginning of the local council’s investment in culture-led regeneration, which has continued to this day.    Its success led to the expansion of the scheme to become the Dundee Public Art Programme.    This was the first city-wide programme of public art in the country and would remain the largest programme in Scotland throughout its existence.

The Public Art Dundee project has been led by the University of Dundee with support from Dundee City Council, the Menzieshill Photography Group, Art UK and Historic Environment Scotland. 

The exhibition runs 3rd August to 26th October at the Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee.

It will be open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 7pm and Saturday 1pm to 5pm.    

It will be accompanied by a series of tours, talks and workshops including a study day with talks by artists and researchers on Saturday 26th October.    Further details are available here.

Sunday 28 July 2019

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

From Blether Tay-Gither :


Our July meeting will be on Tuesday 30th July at 7pm

Note change of venue to :

Madigan's Tea Room and Bookshop, 25 Castle Street

The theme is "Homecoming  or Old Favourites".

Join us for a relaxed evening of stories and tales.    Bring a story or just come to listen. 

Free but a small donation welcome - £3 suggested. 

Saturday 27 July 2019

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - SATURDAY 27 AND SUNDAY 28 JULY 2019

Perth Road (West Wynd to Seafield Road) – closed on Sunday 28 July for manhole repairs.

Perth Road (at Union Place) – temporary traffic lights on Sunday 28 July for BT works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

West Marketgait (at Ward Road) – southbound offside lane closure on Saturday 10 August (9.30am - 3.30am) for Scottish Water work.

Kirsty Semple Way – closed on Saturday 17 August for crane lifting operations.

Friday 26 July 2019

Dundee West End Community Fridge - Official Opening #dundeewestend

Great to see the official opening of Dundee West End Community Fridge 
taking place and all in the local community invited!


Thursday 25 July 2019

Temporary Traffic Order - Perth Road #dundeewestend

From the City Council (I am pleased to see these repairs taking place having raised this on behalf of residents) :

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 Perth Road (West Wynd to Seafield Road), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 28 July 2019 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Perth Road / Nethergate / West Marketgait / Hawkhill.

For further information contact 433082.

Head of Roads and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Wednesday 24 July 2019

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Friends of Wighton event later today

From Sheena Wellington :


Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail 
Today - Tuesday 23rd July 
1pm - 3pm at the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library

This is our annual concert and session with the talented youngsters of the famous Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail.  

Please bring your instruments and voices for a great informal afternoon of music!  

Admission free with donations for Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail welcome.

Fèis Rois established its successful Ceilidh Trail programme in Ross-Shire in 2000. 

Following the success of the Ross-Shire Ceilidh Trail, Fèis Rois started a National Ceilidh Trail for Scotland in 2012. 

This project has since gone from strength to strength and provides opportunities for young musicians from across Scotland to perform in locations across the country and further afield. 

Monday 22 July 2019

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 22 JULY 2019


Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) – off peak (9.30am – 3.30pm) 3 way temporary traffic until Tuesday 23 July for footway works.

Perth Road (West Wynd to Seafield Road) – closed on Sunday 28 July for manhole repairs.

Perth Road (at Union Place) – temporary traffic lights on Sunday 28 July for BT works.


Forthcoming Roadworks

Kirsty Semple Way – closed on Saturday 17 August for crane lifting operations.

Sunday 21 July 2019

Temporary Traffic Order - Perth 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 Scottish Water ironwork repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Perth Road (between West Wynd and Seafield Road), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 28 July 2019 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Perth Road / Nethergate / West Marketgait / Hawkhill.

For further information contact 433082.

Head of Roads and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Saturday 20 July 2019

NHS – Volunteer Listener Information Afternoon


The NHS Tayside Department for Spiritual Care is holding an information afternoon on volunteering opportunities on 21st August at Royal Victoria Hospital. 

For more details on what it involves and how to sign up, you can read more here

Thursday 18 July 2019

Inter Hub Tournament at Harris Academy #dundeewestend

From West End Community Sports Hub :


Wednesday 17 July 2019

Getting things done - road safety #dundeewestend

As residents are aware, I have long campaigned for further road safety improvements in the West End including "Twenty's Plenty" in residential areas where there is local support for this and use of vehicle activated speed limit signs.     

There are currently two such signs in the West End on Blackness Road (east of Balgay Park) and Perth Road (near Clovis Duveau Drive) and I have campaigned for more of these at the request of residents - for example on City Road and Perth Road east of Harris Academy.

I highlighted at the council's City Development Committee recently that the council does not actually have a policy for the use of vehicle activated speed limit signs - eg new sites, priority and rotation of signs.

The Head of Roads and Transportation thereafter updated me as follows :

"I have taken on board your comments below and the matters as raised at the City Development Committee and we will be developing a procedure for recording, prioritising and rotating the Vehicle Activated speed signage.  

Some of the older signs are fixed (owing to their design) however we will look at the type and provision and design of a rotational programme of sights around the city.  

There are obviously restricted financial budgets.  However there are opportunities through funding streams such as the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets initiative and other competitive packages that I will encourage us to follow through."

Tuesday 16 July 2019

Scottish Art 1800-1900

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

Our latest exhibition has been opened in the Tower Foyer Gallery, University of Dundee, featuring a selection of the University’s extensive collection of 19th century Scottish art. 

It includes influential figures from early in the century such as Robert Scott Lauder and David Wilkie, renowned Victorian painters like William Quiller Orchardson and examples of the famous Glasgow Boys from the end of the century. 

One of the relatively few professional women painters of this era, Charlotte Nasmyth, is also featured, as well as notable Dundee artists such as James Douglas and David Foggie. 

The exhibition is on show until 28th September and is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-7pm, and Saturdays 1pm-5pm.



Monday 15 July 2019

Coats n Quilts

The Coats n Quilts charity helps older people who struggle to stay warm, particularly during the winter months, through donations of coats and quilts. 

For more information, see the Coats n Quilts flyer here.

Sunday 14 July 2019

Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau – Financial Health Check

The Financial Health Check service is delivered by the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland.

It aims to help low income families to seek financial advice to maximise their income by ensuring that they are not paying more for essential goods and services that they need to and that they are getting all the benefits, grants and exemptions to which they are entitled. 

Anyone can access this service by calling 0800 085 7145 to receive telephone advice or be referred for a face to face appointment :


Saturday 13 July 2019

Friday 12 July 2019

Break-In Prevention Advice

Police Scotland reports that break-ins to homes continue to take place and that are often due to the lack of security.   These break-ins are often committed by opportunists. 

A large number of these break-ins are easily preventable. 

To read about some simple crime prevention measures you can take to secure your property, please click here.

Thursday 11 July 2019

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Following concerns recently from residents about flooding on the rail bridge south of the Botanic Garden/Vernonholme on Riverside Drive, I raised the matter with the City Council and have received the following feedback from the environment supervisor in Neighbourhood Services :

"I checked the bridge ... the drains are currently running clear and the road leading down to the bridge is also clear of any build up of detritus apart from half a dozen pine cones. 

The bridge itself and the road leading down to Riverside does have a severe build up of detritus.   This is due to the bridge having a 3.2 tonne weight limit.   We are unable to cross over it with our sweeper which is a 5 tonne vehicle."

However, the Roads Maintenance Partnership has promised to monitor during rain and for build-up of debris.

Wednesday 10 July 2019

EU Settlement Scheme


Dundee City Council has produced a handout which includes information about the EU Settlement Scheme, useful web links and telephone numbers. 

For more information and to request copies, please click here.

Tuesday 9 July 2019

Getting things done - Hazel Drive #dundeewestend

Residents recently drew to my attention the overgrowth encroaching on to the footpath of Hazel Drive at its south end - see photo below :


My thanks go to the council's Neighbourhood Services who promptly responded to my request to attend to this.

Monday 8 July 2019

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 8 JULY 2019

Nethergate (West Marketgait to Park Place) – closed until Wednesday 10 July for City Fibre duct installation and pedestrian crossing refurbishment.

Lochee Road and Logie Street (City Road to Tullideph Road) – closed from Monday 8 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (West Wynd to Seafield Road) – closed on Sunday 28 July for manhole repairs.

Kirsty Semple Way – closed on Saturday 17 August for crane lifting operations.

Sunday 7 July 2019

Saturday 6 July 2019

Save the 204 bus!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Jeanetta Black for her letter in Thursday's "Evening Telegraph" regarding the council's axing of the 204 bus :


The campaign to save the 204 is far from being over and, like Jeanetta, I share the concern that the so-called Blether Bus "alternative" service the council is suggesting is simply not fit for purpose.    The "service" utilises council mini-buses that many older folk and people with mobility difficulties will not be able to access.

I have now queried the legal position with Dundee City Council's Head of Democratic and Legal Services.    Local authorities had a responsibility in Part 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that required all land-based transport vehicles to be accessible to disabled people including those who need to remain in wheelchairs.    These responsibilities transferred to the 2010 Equality Act and there is now also a public sector equality duty in Scotland.    

Meantime, the petition to save the 204 bus has gathered momentum with over 260 local residents signing it.    It can be signed at www.tinyurl.com/savethe204.

Friday 5 July 2019

Riverside Nature Park event #dundeewestend

The next Friends of Riverside Nature Park event - a Wild Flower Wander at the park - will be on Sunday 7th July from 1pm to 3pm. 

Come and enjoy this visual delight and see what other wildlife is living in the park :


Thursday 4 July 2019

Taught Threads - guided tour

As I have previously mentioned, the exhibition Sew: Together presents a tribute to textile artist and designer Marion Stewart (née Gracie, 1931-2017), who worked for many years at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, where she taught embroidery and stitched textile design to generations of students.

This Saturday - 6th July - from 2pm to 3pm, as part of the exhibition and related events, there will be a guided tour of the exhibition by textile artist Dorothy Walker.

Meet in the Lamb Gallery (Tower Building, University of Dundee) - Free of charge but please book here.

Wednesday 3 July 2019

Lochee Road and Logie Street - road resurfacing #dundeewestend

From the City Council :

Lochee Road (No 70 Logie Street to No 200 Lochee Road) - Carriageway Resurfacing Work

I wish to notify you that work is programmed to commence at the above location on Monday 8 July 2019 and will last for approximately 2 weeks. The contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.

In the interest of public safety, a road closure will be implemented and through traffic will be diverted via City Road, Tullideph Road and reverse.

On-street parking will not be allowed on the section of carriageway being worked on. Vehicular access to properties with driveways will be maintained although we ask for vehicular traffic movements to be kept to a minimum and advise delays may be experienced.

Please note that pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout the works.

Bus services will be affected by this closure and I would advise bus passengers to visit www.dundeetravelinfo.com, or telephone the bus operator for further details of diversion routes and alternative bus stops.

Please accept our apologies for any disruption these 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. 

If you have any queries regarding this matter please call 834126.

Tuesday 2 July 2019

Garden and Allotment Competition 2019

Entries are now welcome for 2019's Dundee City Council Garden and Allotment Competition.

Whether you have a garden, window box or a community space, there’s a category for you!

You can read more here - entries close 19th July.

Monday 1 July 2019

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 1 JULY 2019

Blackness Road (Seymour Street to Abbotsford Street) – temporary traffic lights for one week for footway works.

West Marketgait (North Marketgait to Courthouse Square) – southbound nearside lane closure for one week for footway works.

Abbotsford Street – closed at junction with Blackness Road for 10 days from Monday 1 July to facilitate footway reconstruction works.

Nethergate (West Marketgait to Park Place) – closed from Monday 1 July for 7 days for City Fibre duct installation and pedestrian crossing refurbishment.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lochee Road and Logie Street (City Road to Tullideph Road) – closed from Monday 8 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.