Westbound – Lochee Road

The City Council has advised me that from 17th June – for four nights – westbound traffic on Lochee Road between Blinshall Street and the North Marketgait roundabout will be prohibited between 7pm and 2am each night.

I am advised that this is because of telecommunications ducting works and the alternative route is via West Marketgait/Hawkhill/Horsewater Wynd/Guthrie Street/Brook Street/Polepark Road.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout.

For further information, contact the Planning & Transportation Department on 433168.

Blackness Primary School - School Crossing Patroller - Update

I'm delighted that the lack of a school “lollipop” person on the very busy Hawkhill, for pupils of Blackness Primary School, has now been resolved and as of this week a patroller is on duty. See earlier story about this by clicking on the link above.

I was contacted by worried parents about the lack of a patroller due to illness of the post holder. Hawkhill is an extremely busy road at the best of times, but with the current roadworks on Perth Road, traffic is being diverted onto Hawkhill, including the bus services, and both they and I were extremely concerned at the lack of provision.

Interviews were thereafter held for additional staff and the subsequent delay was due to the need for health and disclosure checks before new staff can be appointed but I am very pleased that the matter is now resolved.

Blackness Primary School - School Crossing Patroller

Today's "Courier" has covered concerns raised by parents of pupils at Blackness Primary School about the school crossing patroller (or lack of) on Hawkhill.

The "lollipop" patroller for Blackness Primary School has been absent through illness for some time and in recent weeks, there has been no temporary replacement provided. I have received calls from worried parents, including members of the Blackness Primary Parent Council, about the situation.

Hawkhill is an extremely busy road at the best of times, but with the current roadworks on Perth Road, traffic is being diverted onto Hawkhill, including the bus services, and I was extremely concerned at the lack of a school crossing patroller for the children of Blackness Primary School.

I have spoken with the Director of Education to express these concerns to her directly and I am pleased to say that the Education Department is taking immediate steps to recruit new supply patrollers and I hope this serious concern will therefore be urgently addressed.

The Education Department has now written to me in the following terms:

"I appreciate the concern of parents regarding the long term sickness absence of the School Crossing Patroller on Hawkhill for Blackness PS.

"We appointed a new crossing patroller for the new crossing point on Arbroath Road in January. As this crossing point was not to be ready until after the Easter Holidays this new patroller was happy to be deployed and do his initial training at the Hawkhill point. It was hoped that by then the original patroller would return to work at Hawkhill.

"Regrettably the original patroller is still on sickness absence.

"We have now arranged to interview five applicants on Wednesday 14 May for Supply School Crossing Patrollers, from which we hope to appoint (for Hawkhill)."

I have written to the Director of Education asking that she contacts me after the interviews on Wednesday to update me on the situation.

Latest planning and transport initiatives

Here's a couple of the latest news releases from the City Council - these matters will be on the agenda of Planning & Transport Committee, the City Council committee I chair, on Monday coming.

The proposed multi-storey car park at Hunter Street will be a boon for the residents in the West Port area and provide parking for students and staff at the University of Dundee - which will, in turn, relieve parking problems in the West End.

The proposed footpath repairs are very welcome news for the West End and for other parts of Dundee too.

MULTI STOREY CAR PARK

A new £7m multi-storey car park with retail space on the ground floor is being proposed to serve the north west of Dundee city centre.

Dundee City Council's planning and transport committee will consider a report recommending development at the site in Hunter Street at its meeting on Monday (May 12).

Committee convener, Fraser Macpherson said: "With around 430 spaces proposed for the car park it will go a long way to meeting the ever increasing need for parking in that area of the city.

"Demand created by Dundee University, student housing and business developments has boosted the number of vehicles during the day, while the vibrant cultural quarter has increased the need for parking spaces at night.

"More than three times the existing number of spaces in the area will enhance the car parking provision in that part of Dundee."

According to a report by director of planning and transportation Mike Galloway an in depth background study has been carried out, and a short list of options costed against council funding guidelines.

The report recommends advertising for a potential partnering contractor to design and build the car park and retail unit on behalf of Dundee City Council as the best solution.

Other commercial proposals could also be put forward to enhance the development, but the new facilities will continue to be owned and operated by Dundee City Council.

The existing street level car parks at Hunter Street and nearby South Tay Street currently have space for 132 cars.

FOOTPATH REPAIRS

More than £300 000 could be spent on repairing footpaths in Dundee in the next year if councillors back the move.

A report to go to the planning and transport committee on Monday (May 12) highlights 24 stretches of path that will be repaired or replaced during 2008/2009.

Convener of the planning and transport committee, Fraser Macpherson said: "£308,000 has been identified to carry out work on those paths most in need.

"The improved condition will make it easier to get around for elderly people, and those whose mobility is impaired, and will also improve the environment in many areas across the city."

Under a partnership agreement with Dundee City Council, Tayside Contracts will carry out the works if they are approved by the committee.

The 24 locations where work is proposed have been picked from the top of a comprehensive list drawn up by the City Engineer and reviewed annually.

Prioritising of individual locations is based on a combination of condition and usage.

NOTE : All areas of the city benefit, but here are the West End streets concerned :

· Blackness Road (south side Annfield Road to Peddie Street)
· Blackness Road (Ashbank Road to Glenagnes Road)
· Elliot Road (north side at cemetery)
· Sycamore Place (Scott Street to Logie Avenue)
· Hawkhill (north side Taits Lane to Blackness Avenue)

A few Tuesday updates ...

A few updates from earlier today :

• Residents have called to say one of the temporary bus stops on Hawkhill is missing (pinched presumably, a common temporary bus stop problem, although this one was attached to a permanent pole, rather than being wholly moveable!) Anyway, have asked the City Council to replace this ASAP as residents complain buses are not stopping at it.
• A concern that the Friendly Bus sheltered shopping service was 45 minutes late today, but, having spoken with Stagecoach Strathtay, pleased to say it was a one-off staffing problem, and nothing to do with the Perth Road gas mains works (the reason for the problems a couple of weeks ago).
• Pleased to hear that the bus bay markings in Ninewells Avenue were finally completed this morning - this had previously proved problematic because of parked cars.
• I have asked the City Council when it can re-open the top of Paton's Lane at Perth Road as the Turriff gas contractors are now firmly east of here and it would again be possible to access Paton's Lane at Perth Road from the west.

Perth Road - Scotland Gas Networks mains replacement

The advertisement in today's Courier from Scotland Gas Networks (also to appear in tonight's Evening Telegraph - click on the headline above to view) advising that part of Perth Road will be closed for many weeks, will be of concern to many residents and businesses.

I recently met with Scotland Gas Networks and City Council officials in my capacity as City Council Planning & Transport Convener to discuss the proposed closure, to look for ways of ensuring works are carried out as quickly as possible and also to ensure the continuing running of all public transport.

As I indicated in the Courier and on Wave 102 this morning, there is no doubt that there will be a very significant impact by this work and, whilst Scotland Gas Networks has explained that the work is absolutely necessary for safety reasons, I am anxious to ensure that the work is carried out as quickly as possible and that the impact on the local area is minimised as much as possible.

We have, of course, already had experience of this sort of disruption in Perth Road back in 2001, when the then North of Scotland Water Authority closed the road for many weeks for work it was then undertaking. I was anxious therefore to meet with Scotland Gas Networks and City Council officials to discuss all aspects. I have been assured that works will progress as quickly as humanly possible, but clearly in the lead up to August, the closure of the through route on Perth Road between Roseangle and the Sinderins will have significant adverse impact.

I have been advised that access for pedestrians and delivery vehicles will be maintained and that public transport will run to the normal timetable, although the main service buses will have to run via Hawkhill during the works.

In 2001, one of the difficulties elderly people who live south of Perth Road – in the Perth Road lanes such as Thomson Street, Paton’s Lane and Step Row – had an uphill climb to Hawkhill to catch the bus.

It is therefore essential that the Number 72 smaller bus that runs along Roseangle and Magdalen Yard Road runs throughout the period of the work. During the second phase when the roadworks are on Perth Road/Nethergate between Roseangle and South Tay Street, there will be through traffic one direction, so the 72 can do its eastbound journey as normal.

I asked for assurances that the westbound route in the Magdalen Yard Road area is maintained and I have been given this assurance. It will be achieved by the bus making an outward detour along Hawkhill then back to the Magdalen Yard Road/Roseangle area but at least the service will be maintained throughout.

I have updated West End Community Council and those of my ward councillor colleagues currently available, about the works.

Scotland Gas Networks has promised me that it will be writing to affected households and making contact with all businesses. I am extremely anxious that any concerns from local businesses and residents are promptly addressed.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ORDER PERTH ROAD ISSUED BY DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating works for the replacement of gas mains. The Order is expected to be in force for twenty four weeks from 21 April 2008. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Perth Road and Nethergate, Dundee as follows:

Full road closure (between Paton's Lane and Roseangle from Monday 21 April 2008 to Monday 11 August 2008 (16 weeks). During these works there will also be a full closure of the junction of Roseangle and Nethergate for one week.

Westbound road closure in Nethergate (between South Tay Street and Roseangle) from Monday 28 July to Monday 29 September (9 weeks). During these works there will be a suspension of parking on the north side of Perth Road/Nethergate between South Tay Street and Roseangle.

Paton's Lane/Westfield Place/Greenfield Place; the rescinding of the existing one-way traffic orders on these three streets for the duration of the works.
These three streets will be closed for the duration of the works except for resident's access and deliveries.

All roads (on the south side only consisting of Paton's Lane, Thomson Street/Seafield Lane/Seafield Road/Westfield Lane/Westfield Place/Westfield Avenue/Greenfield Place) between Paton's Lane and Roseangle will be closed at their junction of Perth Road.

Suspension of parking on Roseangle between Monday 21 April 2008 and Monday 29 September 2008.

The complete project will be carried out in phases to minimise any disruption.

An alternative route will be available via West Marketgait, Hawkhill and Perth Road.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to the Network Management Team, Planning and Transportation Department, Tayside House, Crichton Street, Dundee, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.

If you have any queries please contact the City Council on 433168.

West End Community Council : January 2008 update

I have today launched my January 2008 update to West End Community Council. To read it simply follow the link by clicking on the headline above.

Issues covered include Freeview "lite" concerns in the West End, footpaths in Hawkhill, "No Through Road" signage required for Lytton Street and Gowrie Street, and parking issues in Taylor's Lane.

The Community Council meets next Tuesday (8th January) at 7pm in Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.

Last couple of days ...

I attended the Blackness Area Residents' Association meeting on Tuesday night, and amongst matters discussed was parking difficulties in Corso Street. I have raised this (and a number of other local issues) with the City Council.

Wednesday night saw the launch meeting of the community group for Ancrum/Cleghorn/Pentland and surrounding areas at Balgay Church. I am really pleased that the group is getting off the ground and will be planning a series of community meetings in the future. We had a good discussion about local issues including anti-social behaviour, road repairs, parking and a number of other matters.

A few more issues over past couple of days:

* Constituents have complained that the steel bollard at the east end of the South Tay Street car park on the Marketgait side is loose in the ground - clearly been hit by a vehicle. The City Council has promised me that it will be repaired.

* On the Hawkhill by-pass beside the PDSA, someone has bumped into the bollards. The Council has raised an Order to ensure repair, following my request.

* On the corner of Union Place/Perth Road, there's a dug up an area of pavement and it requires repair. Following my request, Tayside Contracts has been instructed to upgrade the footpath.

* I have been promised that the channel grating on the footpath at Pinegrove on Perth Road will be replaced soon (part of it is currently missing).

Session Street proposed Traffic Order

I have received the following notice from the City Council about a proposed Traffic Order in the West End Ward area :

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating works for a new commercial and housing development. The Order is expected to be in force for sixty five weeks from 21 May 2007. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Session Street from the north side of the entrance to the Jahangir Indian restaurant for a distance of 60 metres or thereby in a northerly direction.

Access to the Jahangir Restaurant will be maintained from Hawkhill.

An alternative route will be available via Hawkhill, Horsewater Wynd and Guthrie Street for westbound traffic, and via Hawkhill, Brown Street and Guthrie Street for eastbound traffic.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to Andy Scrimgeour, Network Management Team, Planning and Transportation Department, Tayside House, Crichton Street, Dundee, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.

If you have any queries please contact Mr Scrimgeour on 433168.

Hawkhill Flooding and planning matters

Following concerns about flooding on Hawkhill, I have had the following feedback:

"After further investigation we have discovered that these gullies exit into an interceptor on the Hawkhill itself. We will require to contract a specialist clearing company to clean out this chamber as the equipment Tayside Contracts have is not large enough to cope. We will try to keep the area clear until such time we can have the chamber cleared."

At last night's Development Quality Committee, I moved an additional refusal reason in relation to the application in respect of Listed Building Consent 12/18 Whitehall Street, where unauthorised works have badly damaged the stairwells:

Additional Reason for Refusal for 12 & 18 Whitehall Crescent - 06/01076/LBC:

1) The introduction of the new door at 1st. floor level of 12 Whitehall Crescent adversely impacts on the appearance and character of a Category B listed building by virtue of detracting from the symmetry of the original openings located within the communal stairwell. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to Section 14 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 and Policy 60 of the Dundee Local Plan Review 2005. There are no material considerations that would justify the approval of the new doorway contrary to the terms of Policy 60.

I also moved refusal of an application for a housing development at High Mill, where there were various concerns including loss of privacy, parking, etc. Here's this motion:

Reasons for Refusal for 06/00991/COU - High Mill, High Mill Court:

1) The development is contrary to Policy 1 and Policy 4 of the Dundee Local Plan Review 2005 as the proposals fail to provide the required amount of associated off street car parking and the environmental quality of the adjacent occupiers to the south will be prejudiced by virtue of overlooking, a reduction in privacy and noise created by new south facing windows and extraction flues for the proposed units. There are no material considerations that would justify the approval of the application contrary to the terms of these policies.

2) The proposal is contrary to Policy 60 of the Dundee Local Plan Review 2005 and the requirement under Section 59 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 due to the adverse impact on the architectural and historic character of the Category A listed building through the introduction of additional openings on the main elevations of the property. There are no material considerations that would justify the approval of the application contrary to the terms of this policy.

I am pleased to say that both of these were unanimously approved by Committee.