Two further updates ...

Firstly, the lift problem at Sinderins Court. I received this from the Director Service Delivery at Home Scotland yesterday. I am pleased to learn that a proper solution to replace the existing lift mechanism (that has broken down on numerous occasions) is now in sight :

"Just to update you, tenders have now been accepted and works commence on 21st July. The lead time for the specialist equipment is 12 weeks so the contractor has managed to accelerate this substantially. The residents' meeting was held this morning, attended by the contractor and our lift specialist and residents are very positive about the proposed works. This will be confirmed to all residents within the next couple of days."

Secondly, at last month's West End Community Council meeting, concern was expressed that residents' dogs could get on to the rail line by Magdalen Green as Network Rail’s fence didn't have a low enough horizontal wire. I have now had this response from Network Rail :

"The local P / Way staff have carried out repairs to the fencing on the Green."

May 2008 Update to the West End Community Council

I have today launched my May update to West End Community Council.

Issues covered include:

* Perth Road - gas main replacement works
* Youth football
* Dundee airport - helicopter noise
* Homebase site - update

* Riverside Approach - site visit with Network Rail

Click on the headline above to read the update.

The Community Council meets this Tuesday at 7pm - location : Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.

Review of the last few days

Wednesday

* Met with the new acting Managing Director of Travel Dundee, and raised the concerns of residents about the re-routing of the 9X bus service – this no longer serves the Ninewells Avenue area. She promised to review this.

* Attended the Deaf Awareness Open Day at the Central Library, organised by the Sound Sense project. It was good to see a number of organisations promoting their services to deaf people locally and the event was extremely well-attended.

* Attended the “Community Spirit” group evening meeting at Mitchell Street Centre. “Community Spirit” is the new residents’ group for the “north” of the West End Ward – including the Pentland, Cleghorn and Ancrum areas. Another good attendance and an interesting discussion on local issues.

Thursday

* A site visit with Scotland Gas Networks, Turriff (their contractors) and City Council Planning & Transportation at Perth Road to review road management issues, signage and other issues arising out of the continuing gas main replacement works on Perth Road.

* Along with my LibDem council colleague, Cllr Helen Dick, I attended the Best Bar None accreditation scheme 2008 awards launch at the City Chambers. This is an excellent scheme – recognising customer safety and good practice in Dundee’s licensed premises. Click on headline to view the full story in the “Evening Telegraph.”

* After a busy three surgeries at Mitchell Street Centre, Harris Academy and Blackness Primary School, I attended the evening board meeting of Dundee Contemporary Arts. A very positive review of the past year at DCA was presented, showing excellent visitor figures.

Friday

* A helpful site visit with Network Rail to Riverside Approach to allow me to point out graffiti and fly-tipping problems. Pleased at Network Rail’s willingness to tackle these issues, raised with me by West End residents.

* As one of the City Council representatives, I attended the opening of the Winston Churchill exhibition at the University of Dundee, making the 100th anniversary of Churchill’s election as Liberal MP for Dundee. An excellent and entertaining speech by Churchill’s daughter, Lady Mary Soames, who opened the exhibition and unveiled a plaque, commemorating Churchill’s connections to the City.

The event was extremely well-attended and it was good to see my former City Council colleague Neil Powrie (pictured at the event – right) and also my LibDem colleague Willie Wilson (Depute Provost of Perth and Kinross).

You can read the BBC news item on this at :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7390904.stm

and the Churchill Centre web pages are very interesting :

http://www.winstonchurchill.org

And, lastly, here’s a photo from the event, during Lady Soames’ speech, showing that I have no photographic skills whatsoever.

A few updates:

A few updates:

• A busy Friday evening trying to sort out electricity reconnection for an elderly couple in the West End (the main electricity cable outside their home had been inadvertedly cut) and I was very concerned for their situation - in the dark and cold. Thankfully, after various telephone discussions with Scottish & Southern Energy, their electricity supply was reconnected about 11pm.
• I recently raised the damage to the "No Through Road" signs at the entrance to Bankmill Road, following residents' concerns. I have now had the following response from the City Council:

"The 'No Through Road' signs at the entrance to Bankmill Road have been checked by the area inspector. An order will be raised for the straightening of these poles for completion in the new financial year."

• Following concerns raised by residents about a shopping trolley dumped by the railway line south of Magdalen Green, I contacted Network Rail. I have now had the following feedback:

"The shopping trolley has been removed and returned to the Tesco store. We have also cleared litter around the area and removed graffiti from the footbridge."

Rail bridge again ... err ... different one!

There's another rail bridge west of the one mentioned in yesterday's blog entry - near to Riverside Place/River Crescent (and not for vehicles). Following complaints about the extent of graffiti there, I contacted Network Rail and here is their response :

"The graffiti concerned has now been removed. We also have cleared various railway assets between Dundee and Invergowrie that had been vandalised. The graffiti has been photographed and passed on to the British Transport Police for their records. I hope you are satisfied with the response to this incident."

Seabraes again - but some good news on graffiti

The Evening Telegraph has featured the graffiti vandalism at Seabraes in tonight's edition (click on headline above to view this).

Some good news, however, on the graffiti problem. Network Rail has called me to say that, following my request, they are to remove around 50 items of graffiti at the rail line in the West End (particularly near to the Riverside Drive/Riverside Avenue roundabout area); the work is being carried out tomorrow.

They have also confirmed they will be spraying the rather out of control hogweed near the rail line around 30th June.

Wednesday and Today!

The noise problem near the rail bridge raised its head again yesterday and Network Rail swiftly undertook noise surveying yesterday afternoon; hopefully matters will be satisfactorily resolved very soon. A meeting with City Council Environmental Health, Network Rail, Police & others takes place tomorrow.

I understand that the public inquiry in respect of the Tay Rope Works planning application (of which I moved refusal, with considerable backing from local residents) will take place over three days this June.

With regard to the damaged pole in Paton's Lane I reported earlier (click on headline above to view original story) I had the following feedback from the City Council's Planning & Transportation Department yesterday:

"The road inspector for the area confirmed that the pole was removed yesterday (06/02) and the footway repaired. The pole will not be re-erected as the "No Waiting" plate is not required to enforce the double yellow line parking restrictions."

And ... good news received by e-mail also yesterday on Commercial Street trees! :

"This is a quick e-mail to let you know that trees seem to have popped up overnight outside the Children's Hearings Centre at the bottom of Commercial Street. Thanks again for all your campaigning and endless letter etc. to the utilities companies!"

Rail Noise update

Update from Network Rail regarding noise disturbances at the north end of the Tay Rail Bridge (note Palmers are their contractors):

"As you are probably now aware Palmers have been working hard at building additional “sound- proofing” around 2 machines in the yard.

"They are both being used to deliver/recover grit and air to/from the bridge.

"Palmers have also carried out fairly thorough sound level checks which are all very low.

"Perhaps the most important factors to be aware of however are the following :

"Palmers have commissioned a single super silenced machine to replace the “normal" machinery currently on site (this is a new venture for the equipment manufacturer in response to the perceived needs at the Tay Bridge location).

"The current arrangement of machinery is due for replacement in approx 6 weeks time.
Palmers shall continue to monitor the noise levels and ensure that the machines are turned off whenever they are not in us.

"We shall collectively re-consider “best location” for the new extraction unit.

"I hope this gives you enough re-assurance to revert to your constituents."