South Tay Street #dundeewestend

With thanks to George Smith and Dundee Memories, a great old photograph of South Tay Street, with the West Port to the right.

Ninewells Community Garden AGM #dundeewestend

The Ninewells Community Garden AGM will take place on Tuesday 2nd September at 4.30pm at the garden.

After the business of the meeting Kit Martin will give a presentation on how to make some gorgeous analogue photography nature prints.

There's an open invitation to all volunteers and friends of the garden to join us for a review of 2024 and enjoy some light refreshments.

Get in touch to book a space - just e-mail admin@ninewellsgarden.org.uk

Coffee with a Cop later today #dundeewestend

Our local community policing team will be holding "Coffee with a Cop" at Blackness Library between 3pm and 5pm today.

All residents are welcome to come along to have a chat, seek advice or ask any questions.

No appointment needed.

West End street surgery tonight #dundeewestend

We are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have.

Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks.

Getting things done - Ninewells Avenue - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, some time ago, we reported that the white lining in the middle of Ninewells Avenue, north of the hospital entrance, is badly faded.

At our request this was to have been repainted at the start of July but could not take place due to adverse weather at the time.

We are pleased to advise that the Roads Maintenance Partnership Manager has now advised us :

"We had joint repair and lining works planned at Ninewells Avenue at the start of July, but unfortunately these works had to be postponed due to adverse weather.

These works have since been reprogrammed and will now take place on the 28th and 29th of August."

West End weekly ward surgery tonight #dundeewestend

Our joint weekly ward surgery takes place tonight.

This week it is as follows :

Blackness Library (Tuesdays 5pm – every week during school term time)

All 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 25 AUGUST 2025

Blinshall Street (at Douglas Street) – road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Fyffe Street (at Polepark Road) - road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lochee Road (at Park Street) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Monday 1 September to 6.00am on Tuesday 2 September for Scottish Water work.

Riverside Avenue (near Wright Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 15 September for 2 weeks for Network Rail work.

Dundee Airport - 1986 #dundeewestend

With thanks to SJ Bogue and Dundee Memories, an air traffic controller at Dundee Airport in 1986.

Getting things done - Riverside Approach #dundeewestend

Yesterday, Fraser had a very useful site visit with a member of West End Community Council regarding Riverside Approach road safety issues - we have since raised these with the council's roads team.

One issue is the need for a proper pedestrian crossing between Magdalen Green and the Roseangle playpark. We had previously raised this with officers but a survey resulted in it not meeting the criteria for a crossing.

However, following residents' requests and the extent of pedestrian and vehicle movements, we asked for a review of this. The council's Traffic and Road Safety Team Leader has now advised :

"As you know, this location was previously assessed for a potential pedestrian crossing in line with our committee-approved procedures. The outcome of that assessment did not support the installation of a crossing, and the findings were reported to committee in 2023 (Report No. 221-2023).

In accordance with our procedures, locations can be reassessed every three years. I will ensure this site is included in our list of pedestrian surveys for this year. These surveys are typically carried out towards the end of the financial year, as batching them together is significantly more cost-effective."

Getting things done - Pentland Avenue #dundeewestend

Residents have highlighted to us that the wall in Pentland Avenue - near City Road junction - in front of housing and adjacent to the public pavement is requiring repair.

The council's Head of Housing, Construction and Communities has since advised :

"Following an inspection by Officers, this has been taken forward under the Wall Replacement Programme for 2025/26.

Engineers are currently working on the design and will get back to us shortly with an anticipated date for starting on site."

Street surgeries tonight #dundeewestend

We are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have.

Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks.

New footpath connection on Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

An update from the Principal Engineer (Design & Property Services) at Dundee City Council :

"The City Engineers and Sustainable Transport Team are currently developing a new design for a proposed footway along the north side of Riverside Drive, extending from the Riverside Pavilion to Riverside Approach. Please see the general arrangement drawing. The budget for this work is being met from the Transport Scotland funded – Cycling and Walking Safer Routes.

This footpath is being proposed as a direct response to complaints made by members of the public during the scenario when the flood gates are closed along Riverside Drive. When the gates are closed there is no direct safe alternative route on the north side of the road. We receive regular complaints about this during the flood gate closures. This section is the missing link where no footpath exists between the City Centre and the pedestrian crossing at the Riverside Pavilion. It is hoped that this footpath will improve access for all and help minimise disruption for pedestrians during storm events.

The proposed design features a 3.5-metre-wide bound shared use path that will pass through the existing tree avenue. This width has been maximised to ensure cyclists and pedestrians can both pass safely. The footpath has been designed to not damage any tree roots and will provide better pedestrian access for events such as the carnival and circus.

During internal consultation on this project it was highlighted there is occasional unauthorised vehicle access to this area and parking and unsafe access and egress by vehicles. This is mainly during events such as the carnival and circus but, more recently concerning the parking of caravans and mobile homes. 

To help control vehicle access and protect the footpath the project is proposing a galvanised steel trip rail that will run along the edge of the carriageway between Barnetts and the Pavilion. This will be similar in appearance as the exiting U-shaped hoop trip rail at Barnetts."

West End weekly ward surgeries return tonight #dundeewestend

With the return of the schools this week after the summer holidays, our West End surgeries start again later today.

This week, they are as follows :

Blackness Library (Tuesdays 5pm – every week during school term time)

West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph's RC PS and Victoria Park PS) – (3rd Tuesday of each month at 5.45pm during school term time)

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 18 AUGUST 2025

Strawberrybank – closed from Thursday 14 August for one week for Scottish Water work.

[We have had exchanges with a council roads engineer about this and the closure may not be required or only for part of the period].

Scottish and Southern Energy Networks Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme - temporary traffic lights and road closure from Tuesday 4 March for 19 weeks :

• Ancrum Road (at Peel Street) – temporary traffic lights until Wednesday 20 August

[We have been advised by SSEN :  “Wood (the contractors) were on track to reinstate and remove the traffic management for Sunday (17/8/25), opening the road up to traffic as promised.   However recent heavy rainfall scuppered their plans..  They will now have to dig out a large portion of the back fill and repeat the reinstatement - we can’t take the risk of the sodden backfill sinking. They now expect to be tarring on Wednesday 20/8/25, road should be open by 21/8/25.]

Perth Road at No 20 Braes Bar - temporary traffic lights from Monday 18 August for 5 days for SSEN works.

Lochee Road (at Smellies Lane) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Thursday 21 August to 6.00am on Friday 22 August for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Blinshall Street (at Douglas Street) – road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Fyffe Street (at Polepark Road) - road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Park Street – closed from 9.00am on Monday 1 September to 6.00am on Tuesday 2 September for Scottish Water work.

Lochee Road (at Park Street) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Monday 1 September to 6.00am on Tuesday 2 September for Scottish Water work.

Riverside Avenue (near Wright Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 15 September for 2 weeks for Network Rail work.

Tram at Ninewells #dundeewestend

With thanks to Bert Ritchie and Dundonian History for All, a fabulous historic photograph of a tram at Ninewells.

Public art in Dundee - resources

There's an excellent website on public art in Dundee at https://publicartdundee.org/ produced by the University of Dundee's Museum Services.

This includes walking and cycling tours maps which can be downloaded as well as a history of public art in the city.

There's also extensive links to fantastic other resources and is well worth a visit.

Getting things done - Dundee Technology Park #dundeewestend

Residents recently drew to our attention the decorative walling at the entrance to the Dundee Technology Park at its west end (near Swallow roundabout) was badly graffitied (see photos). This sits in front of Swan House in the Technology Park and is very prominent as you enter the city from the Swallow Roundabout.

The Technology Park is no longer fully owned by Scottish Enterprise so we asked SE if it knew the ownership nowadays at this specific location.

SE advised that the wall sits within the title boundary of Swan House and therefore is the responsibility of the owners, Marketgait Developments Ltd.

Its agent Graham & Sibbald promised to contact the owner and SE subsequently advised “the owner has just been in touch to say he will endeavour to have the wall cleaned. If this doesn’t work he says he will have it painted over.”

West End street surgery tonight #dundeewestend

Although our usual Tuesday surgeries at local schools and Blackness Library do not take place during the school holidays, we are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have.

Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks.

Getting things done - Scott Street/Pentland Avenue #dundeewestend

Following residents reporting the graffiti to us at the Scott Street to Pentland Avenue steps, we raised this with environment management at the council to ensure it was power-washed off.

West End ward surgeries update #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that our Tuesday ward surgeries today do not take place as it is during the school summer holidays.

However, we can be contacted at any time on 459378 or by email at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks!

Our surgeries return next Tuesday (19th) as the new school year starts next week.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 11 AUGUST 2025

Scottish and Southern Energy Networks Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme - temporary traffic lights and road closure from Tuesday 4 March for 19 weeks:

• Ancrum Road (at Peel Street) – temporary traffic lights for one week

A90 Kingsway West (at Myrekirk roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 5.30am) northbound lane closure on Monday 11 August for Street Lighting work.

Perth Road (at Rockfield Street) – temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lochee Road (at Smellies Lane) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Thursday 21 August to 6.00am on Friday 22 August for Scottish Water work.

Blinshall Street (at Douglas Street) – road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Fyffe Street (at Polepark Road) - road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Park Street – closed from 9.00am on Monday 1 September to 6.00am on Tuesday 2 September for Scottish Water work.

Lochee Road (at Park Street) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Monday 1 September to 6.00am on Tuesday 2 September for Scottish Water work.

Forest Park Road - 1970 #dundeewestend

With thanks to George Smith and Dundee Memories, a great photo of Forest Park Road in 1970.

Pest Control service in Dundee

The City Council has a team of pest control officers who have a wide experience in delivering a full range of pest proofing and pest control treatments.

You can report pest control concerns online using the form at https://bit.ly/3pa7oe6

Further details of the service and contact details are available at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/city-development/planning-and-economic-development/pest-control

Childminding recruitment campaign in Dundee

The City Council is supporting the Scottish Childminding Association’s recruitment campaign to encourage Dundee people to consider taking up a career in childminding.

Advantages of flexible employability opportunities for local people to work from their own home, as well as the potential growth of childcare options for city families are being highlighted as benefits.

Funded training and support would be provided to successful applicants, who will also be able to access employability and Business Gateway support throughout the programme and into their self-employment journey.

The campaign features Dundee childminder Elaine Bruce, who runs Elaine’s Amazing Spaces.

Elaine worked in child education for 38 years and previously worked in a senior position in a nursery. She realised she could be a professional childminder, working from home with small numbers of children.

She said: “I’d thoroughly recommend childminding as a career. If you’ve got a passion for working with children, the opportunity is there to make a really great business.”

“I felt really supported by SCMA, particularly throughout the process of registration. I thought the one-to-one support available from SCMA was invaluable. Any problem or question, no matter how small, I received help so quickly. It’s really reassuring to have experts in childminding to refer to.”

Elaine explains that childminding brings great benefits for the children who take part.

“With smaller numbers involved in childminding, there’s lots of opportunity for the younger ones to learn together to share and play in wee groups. It’s an important part of learning – things like waiting their turn – and I believe being around children that aren’t their siblings is important.”

A dedicated SCMA Workforce Officer is assigned to each candidate to provide expert, one-to-one support through the process of registration with the Care Inspectorate. Personalisation of the process is integral to the progression of candidates, ensuring they feel fully informed about their future career in childminding, and means they are less likely to drop out.

Childminders provide high-quality childcare from their home that is nurturing and safe and also provides the flexibility for childminders and their ‘mindees’ to ‘get out and about so that children have chances to learn from real life experiences.

As with other childcare providers such as nurseries, childminders are guided by the Curriculum for Excellence and are required to follow the values and principles of the 'Getting It Right for Every Child' (GIRFEC) framework, which supports the health and wellbeing of children.

Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, Scottish Childminding Association, said: “Childminding is a vital community asset providing local flexible childcare and family support which is so important in remote and rural communities.

"The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future is an important step towards addressing the urgent demand for high-quality childcare from parents and carers and recruiting childminders in areas where they are most needed.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for those living in these areas to access a wealth of support in setting up their own sustainable childminding business and to undertake a rewarding new career.”

You can read more at https://getstarted.childminding.org/

Street surgery tonight #dundeewestend

Although our usual Tuesday surgeries at local schools and Blackness Library do not take place during the school holidays, we are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have.

Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks.

Magdalen Green band concert this Sunday! #dundeewestend

Forfar Instrumental Band performs on the Magdalen Green bandstand this Sunday - 10th August - at 2pm.

This is the first of the band's two concerts on the Green this month - the other will be on Sunday 24th August.

Many thanks to the Friends of Magdalen Green for all it did to organise this and the other August band concerts.

West End ward surgeries #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that our Tuesday surgeries today do not take place as it is during the school summer holidays.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by email at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks!

Please note that our street surgeries on a Thursday will take place as normal.

Surgeries return on Tuesday 19th August once the schools are back.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 4 AUGUST 2025

Scottish and Southern Energy Networks Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme - temporary traffic lights and road closure from Tuesday 4 March for 19 weeks:

• Ancrum Road (at Peel Street) – temporary traffic lights for 2 weeks;

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Greenbank Place) – closed westbound for one week

• [Please see our previous Facebook posts regarding the delays to this].

Blackness Road (at Glenagnes Road) – temporary traffic lights Tuesday 5 August for 2 weeks for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (at Rockfield Street) – temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August for Scottish Water work.

Lochee Road (at Smellies Lane) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Thursday 21 August to 6.00am on Friday 22 August for Scottish Water work.

Blinshall Street (at Douglas Street) – road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Fyffe Street (at Polepark Road) - road closure from Monday 25 August for 5 days for carriageway patching works.

Dundee West Station - 1915 #dundeewestend

With thanks to Bert Ritchie and Dundonian History for All, this is a fantastic historic photograph taken at Dundee West Station in 1915.

Togs - Children's Clothing Bank for Tayside - appeal #Dundee

Togs - Children's Clothing Bank for Tayside - is looking for new volunteers to join its team.

There is more information in its poster below and on its website at https://togs.care/volunteer

City Road Allotments Open Day tomorrow! #dundeewestend

The City Road Allotments are holding an open day tomorrow - Saturday 2nd August - between 11am and 3pm - all welcome!