Pharmacies open over the New Year holiday

GP arrangements over the New Year

 

School buses to/from Harris Academy - latest update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall our previous articles in August and October about insufficient capacity on one of the school buses (the 6s – the pupils concerned live in the Pentland area) to/from Harris Academy, we have again been in touch with the council's transportation team in the run up to the Christmas school holidays.

The team has responded to us with this helpful update in advance of the schools returning after the New Year :

"As previously discussed, I wanted to update you about the route amendment we have agreed with McGill’s buses for the Service 10s to be introduced officially after the festive period.

From Monday 8th January 2024, the Service 10s will extend its route to cover the Pentland area of the City rerouting via Charleston Drive (not serving Elmwood Road), Ancrum Road, Tullideph Road, City Road, Pentland Avenue, Balgay Road, Blackness Avenue and Perth Road and we believe this will provide adequate support to the 6s to ensure that all the pupils are picked up in the Pentland Avenue / City Road area of the city.

Registration documents have been submitted to the Scottish Traffic Commissioner with Dundee City Council agreeing to an earlier start date to try and resolve this matter as soon as we could. Both McGill’s Buses and Harris Academy are endeavouring to distribute this information to pupils, however I would be grateful if you could pass this information on directly to any of your constituents who have contacted you recently regarding this matter."

Balgay Park - leaf litter and surface water drainage at the Rose Garden #dundeewestend

Following concerns raised by residents about leaf litter and surface water drainage at the Rose Garden at Balgay Park, we highlighted this to our local environment manager and have now received the following update :

"Concerning the drainage and run off issue towards the former Rose Garden, having met the Friends of Balgay here in recent months, we do have plans for our gardeners to attend to this area.    Given the planned maintenance work we have, this should help improve the drainage issue. 

Similarly, our area gardeners are scheduled to carry out work in this area of the park through the early part of January.     On completion of both sets of work I am confident that a noted improvement will be made."

Dundee festive food and mental health support

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 25 DECEMBER 2023

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed from 27 November 2023 for 6 months for road safety concerns.

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

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development.  Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lochee Road (between Tullideph Road and City Road) – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 17 January for one week for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

South Marketgait (at Greenmarket) – nearside lane closure from Monday 15 January for 10 days for BT work.

Magdalen Place (No 4 to Seafield Road) – closed from Monday 29 January for 2 weeks for Scottish Water work.

A very Happy Christmas! #dundeewestend

Dundee Christmas and New Year 2023/2024 Timetables

With thanks to DundeeBuses.info, the link below gives a comprehensive festive public transport timetable guide includes every bus, coach and ScotRail service in Dundee including every operator, over the festive period.

You can read this at :

http://tiny.cc/Travel-Festive-23

Bring back the Christmas spirit to Dundee, say the Liberal Democrats

Dundee Liberal Democrats have slammed the SNP council administration's poor Christmas offer to the people of Dundee and have called for the return of the annual civic Christmas tree in the City Square and also the annual fireworks events on 5th November.

You can more about this at www.dundeelibdems.org.uk/news/article/bring-back-the-christmas-spirit-to-dundee-say-the-liberal-democrats

Customer Service Academy opportunity

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

These are Michael's last surgeries of 2023 and his surgeries return immediately after the school holidays in the New Year.

The Art of Sydney Jordan : Dream Pedlar

Dundee-born artist Sydney Jordan is best known as the creator of Jeff Hawke, whose fantastic adventures appeared in the Daily Express from 1955-74.

Popular in the UK as the first regular science-fiction comic series to appeal to adults, the strip was even more highly regarded in European countries, where it had a significant influence on the development of science fiction and fantasy comics.

The exhibition currently taking place in the in the Tower Foyer Gallery at the University of Dundee features a feast of original art from Jeff Hawke and more, revealing Sydney Jordan’s extraordinary skill and visual imagination.

The exhibition runs until 6th January 2024 - Monday to Friday 9.30am-7pm and Saturday 11am-4pm.

Please note the exhibition is closed for Christmas - 23rd December – 2nd January.

For more information : www.dundee.ac.uk/events/art-sydney-jordan-dream-pedlar

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

These are Fraser's last surgeries of 2023 and his surgeries return immediately after the school holidays in the New Year.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 18 DECEMBER 2023

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed from 27 November 2023 for 6 months for road safety concerns.

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

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development.  Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellfield Avenue and Thomson Street until Friday 22 December for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure until Friday 22 December for sewer diversion work.

Perth Road (at Riverside Place) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Tuesday 19 December to 6.00am on Wednesday 20 December for Scottish Water work.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lochee Road (between Tullideph Road and City Road) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 12 January for one week for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

South Marketgait (at Greenmarket) – nearside lane closure from Monday 15 January for 10 days for BT work.

Magdalen Place (No 4 to Seafield Road) – closed from Monday 29 January for 2 weeks for Scottish Water work.

South Tay Street of old #dundeewestend

With thanks to SJ Bogue and Dundonian History for All, the Palais dance hall in 1937.

Riverside Drive update #dundeewestend

Following concerns from pedestrians about a minority of cyclists not taking care when passing them or using their bell on the shared path along the waterfront at Riverside Drive, the City Council kindly agreed to our request for new warning signage which we are pleased to say is now in place.

Health and Social Care career opportunities

Are you interested in a career in Health and Social Care?

Discover Work Dundee has a 6-week Healthcare Academy starting in the new year - details below :

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Dundee Carers' Centre at Sinderins Community Hub #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 11 DECEMBER 2023

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

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development.  Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellfield Avenue and Thomson Street for one week commencing Monday 11 December for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure until Friday 22 December for sewer diversion work.

Greenmarket – lane closure until midweek for BT work.

Seafield Lane (Thomson Street to No 21 Seafield Lane) – closed until midweek for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Perth Road (at Riverside Place) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Tuesday 12 December to 6.00am on Wednesday 13 December for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

South Marketgait (at Greenmarket) – nearside lane closure from Monday 15 January for 10 days for BT work.

Magdalen Place (No 4 to Seafield Road) – closed from Monday 29 January for 2 weeks for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road of old #dundeewestend

With thanks to Margaret Speed and Dundonian History for all, a great photograph of a confectioner and fruiterer shop was located on Blackness Road, between Blackness Primary School (now Blackness Road Home Group amenity housing) and Logie Secondary School (now the West End Campus).

It closed during the 1950s.

Dundee West Church Christmas Concert tomorrow! #dundeewestend

The Dundee West Church Christmas Concert takes place tomorrow - Sunday 10th December.

It is a family Christmas Carol Concert and includes the Discovery Brass Band and others.

Taking place at the church at 132 Perth Road it starts at 7pm - all welcome!

The Wighton Singers' Christmas Concert!

Tomorrow - Saturday 9th December - sees The Wighton Singers' Christmas Concert take place.

It takes place in the Wighton Heritage Centre in the Central Library between 11am and 12 noon.

Admission is £5 and all are welcome!

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Groove with GOGA - at Dundee West Church #dundeewestend

 

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 4 DECEMBER 2023

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50metres south) - closed from 27 November 2023 for 6 months for road safety concerns.

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

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development. Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for one week commencing Monday 4 December for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Wright Avenue) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 4 December from 6.30pm – 9.30pm for emergency pedestrian crossing repairs.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure for 6 weeks for sewer diversion work.

Greenmarket – rolling lane closure, mini contraflow and temporary traffic lights until midweek for BT work.

Seafield Lane (Thomson Street to No 21 Seafield Lane) – closed from Monday 4 December for 7 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (at Riverside Place) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Tuesday 12 December to 6.00am on Wednesday 13 December for Scottish Water work.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

Temporary Traffic Order - Seafield Lane

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 SSEN works. The Order is expected to be in force for eight days from 4 December 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 Seafield Lane between Thomson Street and number 21 Seafield Lane.

An alternative route will be available via Thomson Street, Perth Road and Seafield Lane.

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.

A big West End Christmas Fortnight Saturday! #dundeewestend

Today - Saturday 2nd December – sees a whole host of West End Christmas Fortnight events taking place!

9.30am and 10.30am - Children’s Craft events. For young school age children, these 2 one-hour free workshops are led by Lisa Earl of ‘Create … Kids Create Crafts’. Blackness Library. Booking required to be in advance.

10am onwards - Harris Academy Christmas Fayre – including stalls – all welcome!

11am to 1pm – Animal Decoration Making – D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum - create Christmas decorations for your tree – book at www.tiny.cc/Animal-decorations

11am to 5pm – Dundee Art Society Winter Art and Craft Exhibition – Every day in the Roseangle Gallery until Saturday 9th December. Free entry - all welcome!

1pm to 3.30pm – The West End Christmas Fortnight Primary 6 football competition at Harris Academy. With thanks to the schools for all their help with this. P6 teams participating from our five local primary schools.

5pm - Botanic Garden - Walk in the Dark – Children aged 4-8 years are invited to come along with a parent/grandparent/carer for a special walk and seasonal activities in the Garden in the dark. Booking was required in advance.

5pm – 6.30pm – Friary Lights On! – Fun for all the family including music, refreshments and children’s activities at City Church in Tullideph Road.

Book signing at the Book Attic tomorrow! #dundeewestend

 

Local writer George Burton will be at the Book Attic, 93 Perth Road, tomorrow between 12 noon and 2pm to sign copies of his first novel ‘Balgay Park’.

The stories are based around the park and cemetery; none are based based on fact – they are all supernatural stories concerning unusual happenings.

There will also be an official launch of the book at the Victoria Gardens community garden in Blackness Road at 10am tomorrow.

The Courier recently had an article about George and the novel that you can read at www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/entertainment/culture/4819577/books-first-work-of-fiction-for-wee-georgie-author-george-burton

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

West End Community and Business Awards night #dundeewestend

As part of West End Christmas Fortnight, tomorrow - Thursday 30th November - sees the West End Community and Business Awards night taking place.

It takes place at The Vine in Magdalen Yard Road.

Guest speaker is Dr Erin Farley of Dundee Libraries who will speak about the Wellgate Project.

Call Dundee 459378 for more information.

All welcome!

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2023

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

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development. Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Lochee Road – give and take for one week from 20 November for street lighting works.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for 2 weeks commencing Monday 20 November for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure for 7 weeks for sewer diversion work.

Greenmarket – rolling lane closure, mini contraflow and temporary traffic lights from Monday 27 November for one week for BT work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Seafield Lane (Thomson Street to No 21 Seafield Lane) – closed from Monday 4 December for 7 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

West End Christmas Fortnight - window spotting competition #dundeewestend

As part of West End Christmas Fortnight, there's a children's window spotting competition with great prizes.

Entry forms like the one below have been distributed through our local primary and nursery schools and you can also pick up an entry form at Blackness Library.

West End Christmas afternoon concert today! #dundeewestend

2pm to 3.45pm today sees the West End Christmas Afternoon Concert take place at Logie & St John’s (Cross) Church Hall, Shaftesbury Terrace.

Featuring the Harris Education and Recreation Association Choir, Dundee Youth Orchestra and Louisiana Fairytale Riverboat Jazz Band.

All welcome and no booking required. Completely free of charge and includes complimentary tea and coffee.

Other West End Christmas Fortnight events today include :

10am to 10.45am - Spex Pistols Christmas Family Workshops at Gallery 48, West Port - Handmade decorations with Cara Findlay and Sooz Gordon. Using some recycled and simple everyday items, your workshop hosts will show you how to create beautiful festive decorations. All welcome but booking essential – Spex Pistols can be contacted on Dundee 529377. Second session available from 11.15am to 12 noon.

10am to 12 noon - Blackness Primary School Christmas Fair – from Friends of Blackness. Many stalls as always and fun for all the family. All welcome.

11am to 4pm - Discovery Point Christmas Fayre - Many stalls and choir performances – also runs on Sunday 26th. More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/371919895182692

11am to 5.30pm - CRAFTED Festive Market at DCA – Dundee Contemporary Arts’ festive craft and design market. Also runs on Sunday 26th. More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/691757429500254

11.30am to 1.30pm – Just Bee’s Charity Soup and Pudding Lunch – with various stalls - Meadowside St Paul’s Church Halls, 114-116 Nethergate (side entrance).

2pm to 3pm – Tower Galleries Exhibition Tour – University of Dundee museum curator Matthew Jarron will give a guided tour of the Tower Foyer and Lamb Galleries. No booking required.

Getting things done - Ancrum Road and Ancrum Drive #dundeewestend

We recently had concerns from residents about the continual flooding at the Ancrum Drive/Ancrum Road junction.     This is right across the road from Ancrum Road Primary School and therefore pedestrian including pupil use is significant.

We reported this to the Roads Maintenance Partnership to request the road drains are cleared and also asked environment management to remove fallen leaves at this location.

Christmas market, schools' concert and lights switch on the West End today! #dundeewestend

Today sees the start of this year's West End Christmas Fortnight!

Events include :

4pm to 8pm - CHRISTMAS FORTNIGHT HIGHLIGHT! – West End Christmas Market at the Miller’s Wynd car park and community fridge in Perth Road. Join us to browse Christmas gifts and we'll also have some hot food and drink stalls and music and entertainment for you to enjoy. We will be having a lights switch-on at 7pm. There’s also a visit from Santa and Dundee United’s mascot Terry the Terror, who will be distributing Christmas goody bags to the children and the fantastic Duende Voices community choir will be singing. Many thanks to Scotmid for sponsoring the goody bags. Any left over after this event will thereafter be available at the Community Fridge.

6pm to 6.50pm - CHRISTMAS FORTNIGHT HIGHLIGHT! – The West End Christmas Concert at Dundee West Church. Featuring our two secondary schools at Harris Academy and St John’s RC High School and four local primary schools – St Joseph’s RC PS, Blackness PS, Ancrum Road PS and Victoria Park PS – along with Cherry Blossom Nursery School. The Notables are also participating and Mains of Fintry Pipe Band will lead everyone to the lights switch on after the concert. Our thanks also to Rev Dr Jim Connolly for hosting the concert.

Shoppers’ night in the West End – many West End shops will have late opening and special offers on tonight!

West End Christmas Fortnight starts tomorrow #dundeewestend

This year’s Dundee West End Christmas Fortnight launches tomorrow – its 23rd year – with a whole host of events taking place, including two Christmas Concerts, a Christmas Market and Lights Switch on in Perth Road, competitions including a West End Primary School Art Competition and a Primary 6 schools football competition - as well as talks, a “Death in the West End” tour and crafts events in West Port and at Blackness Library.

During the Fortnight that runs from tomorrow until Wednesday 6th December, we will hold around lots of different events.

Big thanks go to all the Christmas Committee members, community groups, churches and everyone else who has made this super festive fortnight happen.

All our events are publicised on our Facebook page and there are brochures in local shops, other West End locations such as Blackness Library, sheltered lounges, West End Community Fridge, local churches and it is also distributed via our local schools.

Our Christmas Market, Schools’ Concert and Lights Switch On are on tomorrow - Thursday 23rd November - and all local residents are very welcome at this and our many other events.

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD -  WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2023

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

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development.  Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Riverside Approach – temporary traffic lights until Tuesday 21 November for C‑plan work.

Lochee Road – give and take for one week from 20 November for street lighting works.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for 2 weeks commencing Monday 20 November for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure for 8 weeks for sewer diversion work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Greenmarket – rolling lane closure, mini contraflow and temporary traffic lights from Monday 27 November for one week for BT work.

Seafield Lane (Thomson Street to No 21 Seafield Lane) – closed from Monday 4 December for 7 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

West End Community Council election #dundeewestend

The City Council is keen to encourage nominations of Community Councillors to join the West End Community Council.

The purpose of a community council is to :

+ Act as a voice for local people

+ Actively seek views and concerns in the area

+ Make public bodies aware of local needs and opinions

If you wish to become a Community Councillor, you must have a completed nomination form returned to the Community Council Liaison Officer.

All relevant information on becoming a Community Councillor, a map of the West End Community Council boundary and nomination form can be viewed and downloaded online at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/community-council-elections - alternatively, paper copies can be obtained at Blackness Library.

Deadline for nominations is 1st December 2023.

For more information, please contact Joanne Kelly (Community Council Liaison Officer) on Dundee 438597 or joanne.kelly@dundeecity.gov.uk

Dundee Carers Centre and Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau – Information Session

Dundee Carers Centre and Dundee Citizens' Advice Bureau is holding an information session next Wednesday - 22nd November - at the C-Gate Centre, 134 Seagate.

Lauren from CAB Dundee will be giving a short presentation on the available financial support to unpaid carers and their families and how they can access it. There will be time afterwards for some questions.

There will be refreshments from 12 noon with the session starting at 12.30pm.

To book your place please call Dundee 200422.

Update on Network Rail and Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

Residents contacted us recently regarding a news story in the Courier about possible future infrastructure works that might see Network Rail require, in a worst case scenarios, require up to 207m in length of land within Magdalen Green with a maximum width of 1.3m. This would be to create a new passing loop to “enable an increase in the number of freight paths and passenger services”.

You can read the Courier item from earlier this month at :

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/4800110/magdalen-green-land-take-on-cards-network-rail-boost-central-belt-links

We contacted the City Council planning team to get further information and the Principal Planning Officer has updated us as follows :

"We have been engaged in pre-application discussions with Network Rail as they assemble a programme of enhancement works on the railway line of the Glasgow to Aberdeen route.

Many of the works are likely to be ‘permitted development’, however we anticipate that planning applications may be required for works that involve built heritage or lie outside the land ownership of Network Rail.

This is a large and complex project and the form and content of the works and need for planning permission is still to be determined. To support that process Network Rail has submitted a request for a screening opinion in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment procedures. The purpose of this is to identify any potentially significant environmental impacts.

From this I understand that the worst case scenario is that they may need to widen the rail corridor at Magdalen Green. They have indicated that this may be by up to 1.3 metres over a 200 metre long stretch of the line. They are however hopeful that the need for this can be removed as the design progresses."

We obviously hope that any works will be contained on the existing Network Rail land and not impact on Magdalen Green and that any impact on the Green is 'designed out' when detailed proposals come forward.    However, we have made the point to the council that if any ground is required, it would make more sense to take that from the south side at the playing fields west of Barnetts Motor Group rather than from the Green.    

We have also sought assurances that detailed design work and further consultation on the proposed replacement footbridge proceeds only once the City Council is absolutely sure that these Network Rail proposals would not impact on the footbridge project.

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Getting things done – postal deliveries in the Forest Park Road area #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns about late delivery and gaps in delivery of mail in the Forest Park Road area.

We contacted Royal Mail regarding this and have since received the following feedback :

“Thank you for your communication regarding your ward residents’ mail deliveries in the Forest Park Road area of Dundee. Delivering a reliable service is out top priority, and I am very sorry for any concern caused.

I have been in contact with the Customer Operations Manager at Dundee Central Delivery Office. They have confirmed that mail deliveries are currently taking place six days a week, when there is mail available to be delivered.

I understand there were a small number of previous disruptions due to high levels of sickness and vacancies at the Delivery Office; however, nine new post persons have recently joined the team at Dundee Central.

While the Manager expects no further issues, I would like to reassure you that, should there be an occasion when a delivery round cannot be completed on a particular day, it will become the priority the following working day.”