News from Dundee Age Concern

Dundee Age Concern has run the Fiveways Centre in the city for many years and it provides superb, friendly day care for older people, with lots of activities and lovely meals.

Further information in the poster below :

Getting things done - Scott Street #dundeewestend

We recently received complaints from residents about the extent of graffiti on the glass recycling boxes at the east end of Scott Street - see photo.

We therefore asked the City Council's rapid response team to remove the graffiti and are pleased that this was very promptly cleaned off.

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

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

Please note that, although St Joseph's RC Primary School is closed today due to the city-wide industrial action, both Victoria Park PS and Harris Academy are open so Michael's surgeries can go ahead as normal.

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 - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

We recently received a request from residents that the council cut back some of the foliage on Riverside Drive just south of the bridge over the rail line and the Botanic Garden.

We therefore raised this with the City Council requesting it is attended to.

Event at the Botanic Garden this Friday! #dundeewestend

All residents are welcome to join the team at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden this Friday at 7pm - 29th September - for a talk and walk exploring the garden and listening for the wildlife.

Perth Road environmental improvements get go-ahead #dundeewestend

Residents will recall our previous posts about proposed environmental improvements along the Perth Road district shopping centre.

We are pleased to advise that the tender for this work was approved at last night's City Council Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee.

We had the following update from the project manager on the final proposals :

"The designs were all completed as per previously agreed with community input and tender issued, since then we’ve been successful in obtaining funds from the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund which has enabled us to deliver on the full package of works.

In summary the works comprise:

Miller’s Wynd Park: New planting with a new hedge to screen the car park (with the gap for the community fridge team access) / a new footpath from Perth Road to the Community Fridge / a tidy up of the surfacing around the trees and over by the vehicle entrance / A new screen around the bins / new seating / new covered cycle parking.

During our surveys we also identified that the cabling for the Christmas lights were in poor condition so have added new trunking etc onto the contract to deal with that.

Pennycook Lane: A new planter and two new seats.

Sinderins triangle: new seating / new planting including trees/ new planters and bins / new ground surface / cycle parking.

Union Place: New community notice board (I spotted in the community council minutes that there was discussion on seeking funding to replace the existing one so have managed to include it within this contract)."

If any resident would like to see the finalised detailed proposals, just e-mail us at westendfocus@dundeelibdems.org.uk and we will send you these.

The tender indicates works taking place between November 2023 and March 2024 although the project manager adds, "lead times on some of the materials is significant. We are seeking to issue the contract as soon as possible after committee so will have a better idea of timescales once we engage the contractor."

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

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

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months 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 – Phase 2 - overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Tuesday 26 September at Riverside Approach to Riverside Pavilion.

Riverside Drive – Phase 3: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Friday 29 September – Riverside East roundabout to Tesco Riverside roundabout.

Blackness Road (Rosefield Street to Rosefield Place) – closed from Monday 25 September for 3 weeks for pedestrian traffic signal crossing refurbishment.

Greenmarket – rolling temporary traffic control, lane closures, mini contraflows and temporary traffic lights from Monday 25 September for one week for BT work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Road (Blackness Road to Glamis Terrace) – closed southbound on Wednesday 4 October for Scottish Water work.

Milnbank Road (at Forest Park Road) – temporary traffic lights on Thursday 5 October for Scottish Water work.

Olympia handover imminent but public reopening still some weeks away

Fraser has been advised that handover of the Olympia swimming and leisure facilities from the contractor following multi-million pound repairs is imminent – in the first week of October – but that the public reopening will be some weeks away due to necessary actions after handover, including a deep clean, site-specific training and moving equipment, to allow full public re-opening.

The City Council’s Senior Manager for Design & Property Services has advised him :

“Handover is programmed contract completion is 6th October.

It will then be handed back to Operational Property who are already liaising with Leisure and Culture Dundee, as are we as we road map to completion.”

Fraser contacted the Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee who has further advised him :

“Once we have possession of the building there will be extensive cleaning works required with the Olympia having been an active building site. We are taking advice from the contractor and Dundee City Council on this.

There will also be a period of training required to ensure that all the staff are ready to operate the venue. This includes onboarding the new recruits that we have been adding to the team since our recruitment drive which started in June. Where possible this will take place at our other venues, however they will need to have all the site-specific training once we have full access.

There will also be other practical elements such as moving equipment, people and programmes back from other venues. This will require some logistics and time to turn it around and minimise impact on the other venues.

There are other elements such as testing equipment to ensure everything is in working order, where possible these will be done prior to the full handover.

During this period we will also continue to support other venues across the city to maintain their extended opening hours and October holiday cover. This is vital to minimise the disruption to our customers to ensure that they continue to have access elsewhere prior to the Olympia opening.”

Fraser added :

“Although the exact date of public re-opening is yet to be announced I suspect it will be during November once all the actions that the Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee has spoken of have taken place after handover from the contractor.

It will be a great relief to see the facility reopened given the real pressure on public and club swimming facilities in Dundee over such an extended period. There’s been the appointment of a new Olympia Manager, Fraser Calderwood, who comes with extensive management experience, which is positive news, as will be new gym equipment, new exercise programmes and the introduction of a turnstile system which will help aid access at Olympia.

During the council’s Scrutiny Committee investigation into the Olympia debacle, I emphasised that a key failing in previous years was the lack of a short annual maintenance closure to ensure that all repairs and maintenance required was investigated and undertaken. This happened every year at the old Olympia on the waterfront and there has been agreement that the current Olympia will have such a proper annual maintenance programme to avoid any repetition of the extended closure for extensive repairs as we have recently seen. I have sought assurances that this annual maintenance programme is now in place going forward.”

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

Blether Tay-Gither is the Dundee Storytelling Group.

From Sheila Kinninmonth, Blether Tay-Gither’s secretary :

Blether Tay-Gither is back!

After a summer hiatus we are getting back on track and meeting this month at Dudhope Castle in Dundee.

With the signs of harvest all around we thought it would be a fitting theme.

And there are no shortage of stories from around the world that link with the harvest.

So come along and tell a tale, listen, and have a cup of tea.

Tuesday September 26th - 7pm - 9pm

Dudhope Castle

Dundee

Dundee Science Centre - a great offer!

Dundee Science Centre is part of Doors Open Day 2023 and has a great free to attend offer on this Sunday - 24th September - 9am to 11.30am.

Booking is essential and families can explore science with FREE access to engaging exhibits, interactive workshops and fascinating demonstrations.

Book at https://book.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/tickets

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!

The Circle - Dudhope Castle Doors Open Days - 23rd and 24th September

Dudhope Castle will be open 10am to 4pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September 2023 to give the people of Dundee access to the People's Castle thanks to The Circle and Doors Open Days.

There will be snacks and refreshments available for free to the public courtesy of the Asda Foundation alongside a range of activities from build your own castle to colouring in.

There will be a range of activities over the day including model building, quizzes, historical videos and tours of the castle.

For more information go to www.doorsopendays.org.uk/places/dundee/dudhope-castle-the-circle-scotland where you can find out about all of the buildings open across Dundee.

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 18 SEPTEMBER 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months 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 – Phase 1: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September - South Union Street to Riverside east roundabout (eastbound closure only). Monday 18 September to Tuesday 19 September (9.15am to 3.00pm) fast lane closure – eastbound and westbound (off-peak) at Premier Inn/Train Station – to be removed outwith these times.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1A: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September at slip roads on Riverside Avenue at Apollo Way and Perth Road.

Riverside Drive – Phase 2 - overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Tuesday 19 September to Tuesday 26 September at Riverside Approach to Riverside Pavilion.

Riverside Drive (at Tesco) – eastbound nearside lane closure on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September for BT work.

Riverside Drive – Phase 3: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Friday 29 September – Riverside East roundabout to Tesco Riverside roundabout.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Greenmarket – rolling temporary traffic control, lane closures, mini contraflows and temporary traffic lights from Monday 25 September for one week for BT work.

Glamis Road (Blackness Road to Glamis Terrace) – closed south bound Wednesday 4 October for Scottish Water work.

Milnbank Road (at Forest Park Road) – temporary traffic lights Thursday 5 October for Scottish Water work.

Temporary Traffic Order - Riverside Drive today

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 iron work repairs HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Riverside Drive (prohibition of right turn into Bridgeview Café car park), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 17 September 2023 at 9am until Monday 18 September 2023 at 6am.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Riverside Drive (eastbound) / Tesco roundabout / Riverside Drive (westbound).

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Recovery week in Dundee

Next week (beginning Monday 18th September) sees a range of activities taking place to celebrate recovery across Dundee and all of the great work that is done by services across the city to support people.

You can see the full list of these activities below :

Art for All - tomorrow - all 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!

Little Green Fingers #dundeewestend

Victoria Gardens has a new toddlers group 'Little Green Fingers' that runs every Wednesday between 10am and 12 noon. 

This also provides a light snack for a donation. 

All welcome! 

If you are interested and want any more information, please contact Rachel on 07482 987479.

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 SEPTEMBER 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months 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.

Rockfield Crescent – closed between Hyndford Street and Marchfield Road for carriageway resurfacing until Tuesday 12 September

Riverside Drive (at airport) – off peak temporary traffic lights Wednesday 13 to Sunday 17 September for BT work.

Riverside Drive (at Bridgeview Café) – mini contraflow and prohibition of right turn into Bridgeview Café car park Sunday 17 (9:00am) to Monday 18 September (6:00am) for Scottish Water work.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September - South Union Street to Riverside east roundabout (eastbound closure only). Monday 18 September to Tuesday 19 September (9.15am to 3.00pm) fast lane closure – eastbound and westbound (off-peak) at Premier Inn/Train Station – to be removed outwith these times.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1A: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September at slip roads on Riverside Avenue at Apollo Way and Perth Road.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive – Phase 2 - overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Tuesday 19 September to Tuesday 26 September at Riverside Approach to Riverside Pavilion.

Riverside Drive (at Tesco) – east bound nearside lane closure Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September for BT work.

Riverside Drive – Phase 3: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Friday 29 September – Riverside East roundabout to Tesco Riverside roundabout.

Glamis Road (Blackness Road to Glamis Terrace) – closed south bound Wednesday 4 October for Scottish Water work.

Milnbank Road (at Forest Park Road) – temporary traffic lights Thursday 5 October for Scottish Water work.

Dundee Art Society event #dundeewestend

Dundee Art Society's free monthly artists talks are back after our summer break and the first speaker will be Russell Pepper from Dundee's own Open/Close.

Russell will talk about "Murals and Street Art of Dundee".

It is taking place this Friday - 15th September - from 7pm to 9pm at the Roseangle Gallery

All welcome - doors open 6.45pm!

Drop kerb and accessibility improvement request form

The City Council now has an online form to allow members of the public to request drop kerbs, pedestrian crossings or improvements to accessibility such as the removal of chicane barriers or bollards.

You can access this at : 

www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/city-development/sustainable-transport-and-roads/accessibility-improvement-request

Temporary Traffic Order - Blackness Road

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 central island and duct installation works. The Order is expected to be in force for four weeks from 18 September 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 Blackness Road between Rosefield Street and Rosefield Place.

An alternative route will be available northbound via Blackness Road, Bellfield Street, Hawkhill, Blackness Avenue and Blackness Road.

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 Dundee 433082.

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 - Jedburgh Road #dundeewestend

Residents recently highlighted to us that the the Victoria Park boundary hedging in Jedburgh Road was badly needing trimmed - see photo.

We therefore raised this with environment management to get the necessary work undertaken.

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 SEPTEMBER 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months 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.

Rockfield Crescent – closed between Hyndford Street and Marchfield Road for carriageway resurfacing commencing 4 September for 5 days.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive – Phase 1: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September - South Union Street to Riverside east roundabout (eastbound closure only). Monday 18 September to Tuesday 19 September (9.15am to 3.00pm) fast lane closure – eastbound and westbound (off-peak) at Premier Inn/Train Station – to be removed outwith these times.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1A: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September at slip roads on Riverside Avenue at Apollo Way and Perth Road.

Riverside Drive – Phase 2 - overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Tuesday 19 September to Tuesday 26 September at Riverside Approach to Riverside Pavilion.

Riverside Drive – Phase 3: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Friday 29 September – Riverside East roundabout to Tesco Riverside roundabout.

Carolina House Trust Open Day #dundeewestend

Carolina House Trust is holding an open day at its office at 7 Luna Place in the West End Ward - Thursday 14th September.

You can register to attend at https://carolinahousetrust.org.uk/open-day-thursday-14th-september/

Discover youth volunteering!

A volunteering fair for young people takes place on Wednesday - 6th September - organised by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action and Developing the Young Workforce, Tay Cities - all welcome.

You can book tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/discover-youth-volunteering-tickets-629078469637

Getting things done - Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Michael is pictured at Blackness Road near to the bus shelter at the very western end of the road on its north side.

We are grateful to residents to contacted us about a missing utility cover which posed a trip hazard for people crossing to the bus stop.

We therefore reported this to the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership to get this resolved.