The Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden will be holding a plant sale this Saturday - 2nd October.
Fraser has been LibDem Councillor for the West End on Dundee City Council since 2001 and has topped the poll in all of the six council elections he has contested. Michael was elected to also represent the West End from May 2022 and is a hard-working addition to the West End LibDem team.
Thursday 30 September 2021
Plant sale at the Botanic Garden #dundeewestend
The Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden will be holding a plant sale this Saturday - 2nd October.
Wednesday 29 September 2021
Temporary Traffic Order - Old Hawkhill, West Port and South Tay Street
Tuesday 28 September 2021
West End Blethers - all welcome! #dundeewestend
Monday 27 September 2021
Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend
A90 Kingsway (at Invergowrie roundabout) – lane closures for 2 weeks for third party works.
South Tay Street – temporary traffic lights for 1 week for footway works.
Lochee Road (at Balgayview Gardens) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 24 September for one week for SGN work.
Nethergate (West Marketgait to South Tay Street) – closed on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 September for Scottish Water investigation work.
Ancrum Road - temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 29 September for 4 days for City Fibre work
Blackness Avenue – closed from Monday 4 October for 4 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.
Logie Street at junction with Ancrum Road – 3 way temporary traffic lights from 11 October for 4 days for City Fibre works.
Grosvenor Road (Shaftesbury
Road to Perth Road) – closed from Monday 25 October for 2 days for carriageway
resurfacing works.
Sunday 26 September 2021
Temporary Traffic Order - Blackness 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 carriageway resurfacing works. The Order is expected to be in force for 4 weeks from 4 October 2021. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.
The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Blackness Avenue for its entire length.
The works will be completed in 2 separate phases: Phase 1 – Perth Road to Seymour Street (west side) and Phase 2 – Seymour Street (west side) to Blackness Road. The entry to and exit from Seymour Street at its junction with Blackness Avenue will be prohibited during Phase 1 of the works.
An alternative route will be available via Hawkhill, Peddie Street, Blackness Road and in reverse.
If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or phone 433168.
Saturday 25 September 2021
Road safety in Logie #dundeewestend
At a recent meeting of the council's City Development Committee, future 20 mph zones were discussed.
On the proposed list of new zones to be implemented in the period to 2027, I was disappointed to note no new proposals for the West End and I highlighted during the meeting that I regularly raise with roads officers residents' requests for further 20 mph zones in residential areas.
The area I have had most requests for is the Logie area where there is a large elderly population given the northern part of the estate is sheltered housing. Having very narrow streets, Logie meets the criteria for a 20 mph zone so, after the meeting, I wrote to officers to again press the case for Logie to be considered in the future.
I have had a positive response from the Senior Engineer – Traffic & Road Safety - at the City Council as follows :
"With regard to your concerns raised, please be assured that the council is committed to logging and assessing all requests for 20 mph limits and although this year's Committee Report did not have the Logie area listed in the five-year programme, this list is not in a priority order and sites can and will be added.
I can confirm that the Logie estate area will be added to the 20 mph five-year programme list in next year's annual Road Safety Committee Report."
This is good news and I will continue to raise other parts of the West End where residents make requests for lower speed limits in highly residential areas.
Friday 24 September 2021
Temporary Traffic Order - Nethergate
Thursday 23 September 2021
Road safety at Balgay Hill - an update #dundeewestend
As residents may recall, some time ago, I discussed with officers in environment management at the City Council measures to improve safety on the roadway at Balgay Hill going up to the observatory. This included better signage of the 10 mph speed limit and better traffic management to protect pedestrians.
In the meantime, we will be arranging for the road to be swept again, to reveal the white paint is fully visible before the observatory is opened and traffic is permitted passed the gate.
Wednesday 22 September 2021
West End parking charges to unfortunately return #dundeewestend
As residents know, I have consistently opposed the imposition of car parking charges at seven West End car parks - Roseangle, Pennycook Lane, Miller’s Wynd, Ryehill Lane, Mid Wynd, Union Street North and Bellfield Street North.
Tuesday 21 September 2021
Getting things done - Arnhall Drive #dundeewestend
Residents have recently contacted me about the deteriorating state of the road surface in Arnhall Drive, including potholes - see below :
I raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following helpful feedback :
"We have inspected the road and found a couple of Category 3 potholes (repair within 30 working days).
Many parts look worse than they are due to it being a concrete road that has been surface dressed.
However, on checking the carriageway programme it was due to receive an overlay in 2023/24, this is under review so this may move.
We should have a better idea in the next few months when the review is complete."
Monday 20 September 2021
Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2021
A90 Kingsway (at Invergowrie roundabout) – lane closures for 3 weeks for third party works.
South Tay Street – temporary traffic lights from Monday 20 September for 2 weeks for footway works.
Forthcoming Roadworks
Nethergate (West Marketgait to South Tay Street) – closed on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 September for Scottish Water investigation work.
Lochee Road (at Balgayview Gardens) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 24 September for one week for SGN work.
Blackness Avenue – closed from Monday 4 October for 4 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.
Logie Street at junction with Ancrum Road - 3 way temporary traffic lights from 11 October for 4 days for City Fibre works.
Sunday 19 September 2021
Temporary Traffic Order - Nethergate
Saturday 18 September 2021
Ninewells Hospital parking charges - a further update #dundeewestend
As residents will be aware, I welcomed the final abolition of parking charges at Ninewells Hospital, having campaigned against them for many years.
The charges have acted as a tax on ill-health - as Ninewells is a hospital serving a large region and for many patients and visitors, particularly from outwith Dundee, public transport options to Ninewells are often limited or non-existent.
Additionally, however, the charges have resulted in many vehicles parked on adjacent residential streets.
Scottish Government made a promise to abolish all hospital parking charges back in 2007. It may have come 14 years late, but the decision to not reimpose charges after their initially temporary suspension due to the COVID health emergency, is welcome.
I did raise a number of questions with the Head of Soft Facilities at NHS Tayside as follows :
1. That there will still be an enforcement presence within the hospital grounds/car parks?
2. How NHS Tayside will try to ensure no further spillage of vehicles onto adjacent streets?
3. Question 2 above really arises from staff member concerns about what they perceive to be inadequate staff spaces. Can you give reassurance on capacity for NHS Tayside staff at Ninewells going forward?
Friday 17 September 2021
Dundee Green Walk tomorrow! #dundeewestend
Friends of the Earth Tayside is organising the Dundee Green Walk tomorrow - Saturday 18 September - in conjunction with the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, where it will start (at 10 am) and finish.
Thursday 16 September 2021
Getting things done - Union Place #dundeewestend
Residents have highlighted with me the overgrown foliage around the Union Place car park and the need for a tidy up of the car park and surrounding area.
I have raised this with the car parking and environment teams at the City Council, calling for a tidy up.
Wednesday 15 September 2021
Getting things done - Roseangle #dundeewestend
Residents have complained to me that the small lane to the east of of 29 Roseangle is so overgrown it is almost impossible to go up it.
Tuesday 14 September 2021
Ward surgeries return today!
As residents know, councillors were not able to hold their weekly ward surgeries at schools and libraries since the start of the COVID-19 health emergency, but I am pleased to advise of the one new weekly ward surgery I am now able to start.
From today - Tuesday 14th September - and during school term times, my new surgery time and location is :
Tuesdays at 3.30pm prompt at Blackness Library
All welcome and no need to book. The library has appropriate safety measures in place to ensure a COVID-safe environment, including hand sanitisers and use of face coverings.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-related restrictions and venue availability, my very long-standing surgeries at Blackness Primary School’s staff room and at the Mitchell Street Centre will no longer be possible.
However, once access to school premises for councillors’ surgeries is again permitted with COVID restrictions easing, I hope that, later in the autumn, I will be returning to a surgery at Harris Academy. I hope to also run one at Ancrum Road Primary School.
Both will also take place on Tuesdays – with details to follow.
Monday 13 September 2021
Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
A90 Kingsway (at Invergowrie roundabout) – lane closures for 4 weeks for third party works.
Glamis Road (at Elliot Road) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 13 September for BT work.
Forthcoming Roadworks
Lochee Road (at Tullideph Road) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 16 September for one day for advertising board installation.
South Tay Street – temporary traffic lights from Monday 20 September for 2 weeks for footway works.
Nethergate (West Marketgait to South Tay Street) – closed on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 September for Scottish Water investigation work.
Lochee Road (at Balgayview Gardens) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 24 September for one week for SGN work.
Blackness Avenue – closed from Monday 4 October for 4 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.
Sunday 12 September 2021
Getting things done - school crossing patroller - Milnbank Road #dundeewestend
The school crossing patroller on Milnbank Road near Milnbank Gardens recently retired.
Tayside Contracts, who provide the service for the City Council, has not replaced the patroller, saying the crossing does not meet its criteria for allowing a crossing, in terms of pupils using it and vehicle movements.
I am very unhappy about this decision becuase the crossing is at a crucial location as vehicles come down the hill at City Road towards the site and I feel strongly that a crossing patroller is needed here.
I have therefore put in a formal objection to the removal of the patroller at this location.
Saturday 11 September 2021
Getting things done - Tait's Lane to Peddie Street #dundeewestend
I have recently received a number of complaints about the pathway that runs from around half way up Tait's Lane eastwards to Peddie Street - it is really needing a tidy and new planting.
I took this up with our local council environment manager who has responded helpfully as follows :
"The path is overgrown with weeds, this is manly due to our recent staffing issues and there are similar issues in other areas of the city. We are currently putting together a list of them and are putting together a hit squad to deal with all these areas in one fell swoop. This should be done within the next couple of weeks.
The path is relatively clear of litter but there is a considerable amount trapped at the sides in the weeds. It looks like it has been like that for some time so I have instructed the supervisor to remind the person on this area that he has to keep the whole path clear and not just the part that folk usually walk on.
The shrub beds are probably past redemption now and will likely require replanting. This would be something we would do in the Autumn, however I thought the whole area was looking tired and could do with a refresh. I have asked our projects team if they would consider doing this over the winter."
Friday 10 September 2021
Getting things done - Benvie Road #dundeewestend
Residents have contacted me about the state of the former and now derelict garage site at the top end of Benvie Road, which is in private ownership.
The trees are needing cut back as they now overhang adjacent properties and some of the fencing has fallen and needs repaired.
I have therefore written to the owner requesting that he takes steps to address these concerns.
Thursday 9 September 2021
Getting things done - Perth Road and Peddie Street #dundeewestend
Residents recently contacted me about TV/satellite loose cables across the pavement in Perth Road just west of Miller's Wynd that presented a trip hazard.
I took this up with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and the local roads inspector had the cabling tied up to remove the problem.
I have since had concerns of a similar problem on Perth road further east at Pennycook Lane and also in Peddie Street (see photos) and have requested similar action there.
Wednesday 8 September 2021
Getting things done - Roseangle playpark #dundeewestend
Parents and carers of the children using the Roseangle/Magdalen Green playpark contacted me recently about the popular zip wire not being operational.
As one parent said, "The zip line is a big hit and I feel so bad for them that it’s gone."
I therefore contacted environment management at the City Council and have been advised :
"The zip wire seat was removed as part of a routine inspection/maintenance visit by our Play Team due to wear on the attaching U bolts.
Replacement bolts have been ordered and the seat will be replaced as soon as they are received."
Tuesday 7 September 2021
Safety update - Balgay Road/Blackness Road and Avenue junction #dundeewestend
Further to the numerous concerns raised with me by residents following a number of accidents at the Balgay Road/Blackness Road and Avenue junction, I raised the matter with Traffic and Road Safety Team Leader at the City Council.
I am pleased to have now had the following helpful update :
"We have been out to this junction and have spoken to adjacent residents regarding the junction and they were quite informative.
It is our intention to include this junction as a future road safety location and we will be looking to undertake additional measures to improve road safety for the travelling public.
I cannot say what the measures will be but once we have had a more detailed look I will provide you with an updated situation when we have it."
I also raised the matter at the council's City Development Committee last night during a discussion about road safety.
I am anxious to ensure that there is road safety work undertaken at this location as soon as possible. Four accidents in as many months is a real concern and it is vital the issue is tackled.
At committee last night, I also raised residents' requests to include Windsor Street in the adjacent 20mph zone. I suggested the council go through the traffic regulation order process to consult residents and other stakeholders on this. My proposal was unfortunately rejected 15-12, voted down by the SNP administration.
I also highlighted the need to include other West End sites for future 20mph zones and specifically mentioned the Logie area as many residents have said to me that they would welcome a lower speed limit in Logie given the narrow streets and number of elderly residents. Officers did commit to give this consideration and this is to be welcomed.
Monday 6 September 2021
Blether Bus - an update #dundeewestend
As residents will recall, following the unfortunate removal some time ago of the 'old' 204 bus service that covered streets like Newhall Gardens, Invergowrie Drive and Glamis Drive, the council’s response was to establish the “Blether Bus” minibus service for older residents.
I strongly opposed the withdrawal of the old 204 as it was a better service than the Blether Bus. The previous version of the 204 went to both the City Centre and Ninewells Hospital, something the Blether Bus did not. However, at least the Blether Bus gave some sort of service for older residents who would struggle to walk (often uphill) to main bus services on streets like Perth Road and Glamis Road.
With the onset of the COVID health emergency, the Blether Bus was suspended as it uses a minibus where social distancing is a challenge. As restrictions ease, I have been anxious to ensure that a service for older folk in the area is restored.
Back in May, the council’s Team Leader, Parking & Sustainable Transport told me that he hoped the Blether Bus would be restored during the school summer holidays but he has since advised :
‘We are conscious of the potential for community transmission on the minibus services, particularly with the vehicles being shared between school children at Kingspark and older adults. We will further review our options in the weeks ahead, giving regard to any public health advice available.
My e-mail in late May 2021 suggested a return date during the school holidays but this was before the spike in Covid cases in the Dundee area which caused us to rethink our plans. We also had to consider driver availability and the potential of having to withdraw minibus services at short notice if the drivers were ill or required to self-isolate.’
I have made clear to council officers that it is vital that a bus service is restored as soon as possible and also raised the issue at the recent West End local community planning partnership meeting. It is not acceptable that older residents who cannot get to the main bus services on streets like Perth Road are left without their Blether Bus service.
I will keep residents updated and can assure the Blether Bus passengers that I will be continuing to pursue this to get the service back ASAP.
Sunday 5 September 2021
Getting things done - Union Place - an update #dundeewestend
Residents will recall that I recently highlighted the potholes on the road at the south end of Union Place.
Saturday 4 September 2021
Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - SATURDAY 4 AND SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2021
Riverside Drive (opposite Tesco) – mini contraflow on Sunday 5 September for Scottish Water manhole repair.
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2021
Annfield Row (at Annfield Street) – closed until Monday 6 September for Scottish Water work.
Lochee Road (at Tullideph Road) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 3 to Thursday 9 September for Scottish Water work.
Guthrie Street – off peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 August for carriageway investigation work.
Forthcoming Roadworks
Glamis Road (at Elliot Road) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 13 September for BT work.
Nethergate (West Marketgait to South Tay Street) – closed on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 September for Scottish Water investigation work.
Blackness Avenue – closed from Monday 4 October for 4 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.
Friday 3 September 2021
Temporary Traffic Order - Glamis Road Area
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 City Fibre cable installation works. The Order is expected to be in force for 4 weeks from 8 September 2021. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.
The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in (1) Glamis Drive between Glamis Road and Invergowrie Drive, (2) Hillside Terrace between Hillside Road and Hillside Drive, (3) Hillside Drive between Hillside Terrace and Hillside Road, (4) Hillside Road between Hillside Terrace and number 32 Hillside Road, (5) Dunmore Gardens between Dunmore Drive and number 22 Dunmore Gardens, (6) Glamis Terrace between Glamis Place and Hazel Drive, (7) Oxford Street between Blackness Road and Cambridge Street, (8) Oxford Street between Cambridge Street and Harrow Street, (9) Oxford Street between Harrow Street and Eton Street, (10) Cambridge Street between Oxford Street and Eton Street and (11) Eton Street and Elliot Street between Blackness Road and Cambridge Street.
More than one section may be closed at any time.
Alternative routes will be available via (1) Glamis Drive, Invergowrie Drive, Perth Road, Glamis Road and Glamis Drive, (2) Hillside Drive and Hillside Road, (3) Hillside Terrace and Hillside Road, (4) Hillside Terrace, Hillside Drive and Hillside Road, (5) Dunmore Drive, Perth Road, Glamis Road, Glamis Terrace, Hazel Drive and Dunmore Gardens, (6) Glamis Terrace, Glamis Road, Glamis Drive and Hazel Drive, (7) Blackness Road, Harrow Street and Oxford St, (8) Harrow Street, Blackness Road and Oxford Street (9) Eton Street, Cambridge Street and Oxford St, (10) Oxford Street and Eton Street and (11) Blackness Road, Oxford Street and Cambridge Street
If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS - phone 433082.
Thursday 2 September 2021
Getting things done - Lower Pleasance/Polepark Road car park #dundeewestend
Residents recently highlighted to me that at the tenants’ car park between Lower Pleasance and Polepark Road, a buddleia is starting to take over and will no doubt start to cause damage to the boundary wall if left to its own devices.
Wednesday 1 September 2021
Getting things done - Minto Place #dundeewestend
I recently received complaints about the poor road condition in Minto Place near the junction with Richmond Terrace.
I raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now had this helpful feedback :
"The Road Inspector for this area has identified the defect that requires a repair. He has identified it as a Category 3 defect which will be repaired within 30 working days."