Community growing initiative - Tait's Lane to Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Last year, we mentioned the excellent community growing initiative residents have started in the path that runs from Tait's Lane to Peddie Street, which has allowed for community use of the planters for growing herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers.

More volunteers are welcome and if you are interested, please contact Ged Gourlay at gedgourlay@gmail.com

Path from Tait’s Lane to Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that we have previously highlighted the unkempt state of this path, particularly the planters and a lot of graffiti.

 

There’s now been a couple of site visits to discuss a positive future for the planters and we are grateful to a local resident who has proposed community use of the planters for growing herbs, vegetables, fruits or flowers.

Given the waiting list for allotments, this is a really good idea and the council agreed to bring the site up to a standard where this can happen and work on that has already commenced - see second photo - below.

If any resident is interested in getting involved, please e-mail peddietaits@gmail.com - many thanks.

Getting things done - Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently contacted us about a dog waste bin had fallen over in Peddie Street - its the post had rusted at the base.

We reported this to environment management who promised to promptly uplift this. We also requested that a replacement bin is provided to ensure adequate dog waste bin facilities in Peddie Street.

Update on the path from Tait's Lane to Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that we have raised the poor condition of the pathway from Tait's Lane to Peddie Street and yesterday we had a very positive site visit with officers from the council's environment management and a Tait's Lane resident about improving the lane.

It was agreed that the dumped items in the lane will be removed, graffiti tackled and over the winter months the weeds and overgrowth will be removed.

The resident who met us yesterday had the very positive suggestion of community use of the beds to allow local residents in Peddie Street and Tait's Lane who are interested to tend a bed each in the lane.   

There will be engagement with neaby residents about this over the winter months too.   Meantime, if any resident has feedback on this proposal, please get in touch - many thanks.

Getting things done - Tait's Lane to Peddie Street #dundeewestend

I have recently received a number of complaints about the pathway that runs from around half way up Tait's Lane eastwards to Peddie Street - it is really needing a tidy and new planting.

I took this up with our local council environment manager who has responded helpfully as follows :

"The path is overgrown with weeds, this is manly due to our recent staffing issues and there are similar issues in other areas of the city.    We are currently putting together a list of them and are putting together a hit squad to deal with all these areas in one fell swoop.   This should be done within the next couple of weeks.

The path is relatively clear of litter but there is a considerable amount trapped at the sides in the weeds. It looks like it has been like that for some time so I have instructed the supervisor to remind the person on this area that he has to keep the whole path clear and not just the part that folk usually walk on.

The shrub beds are probably past redemption now and will likely require replanting. This would be something we would do in the Autumn, however I thought the whole area was looking tired and could do with a refresh. I have asked our projects team if they would consider doing this over the winter."

Getting things done - Perth Road and Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Residents recently contacted me about TV/satellite loose cables across the pavement in Perth Road just west of Miller's Wynd that presented a trip hazard.

I took this up with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and the local roads inspector had the cabling tied up to remove the problem.

I have since had concerns of a similar problem on Perth road further east at Pennycook Lane and also in Peddie Street (see photos) and have requested similar action there.

Getting things done - Peddie Street #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership for its prompt attention to the resident's concern I raised recently about trip hazards in Peddie Street caused by missing utility company covers - now resolved :

Getting things done - Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Residents recently raised with me the very overgrown grass in Peddie Street running alongside the industrial units.

I am grateful that the City Council has acted upon my request to have this tidied :

Before

After

Tayside MS Therapy Centre - volunteers wanted!

M S Therapy Centre (Tayside) Ltd

Unit 12b Peddie Street

Dundee DD1 5LB

TELEPHONE: 01382 566283

e-mail - info@taysidemstherapy.co.uk

Social Support  & Chamber Volunteers Wanted

This is an opportunity to undertake a satisfying and rewarding role as part of our team of volunteers, working in our friendly therapy centre while providing an extremely useful and appreciated service to the community. 

We are looking for social volunteers who are available for a few hours on Saturday, either morning or afternoon or one weekday for a few hours (even every 2 weeks would be ideal), welcoming members, serving refreshments, and clearing and tidying of kitchen area.

Volunteer Chamber operator will assist the main operator to operate the chamber and also provide assistance to escort our members in and out of the chamber. We ask that you are physically fit, friendly and caring to offer our members, who are attending for Oxygen Therapy, social support, chatting and generally providing a secure, relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. 

Full training will be provided.

If you are interested and would like more information, please get in touch (tel 566283) or drop an email to sheila@taysidemstherapy.co.uk.

Volunteer opportunity with the MS Therapy Centre in Peddie Street

M S Therapy Centre (Tayside) Ltd

Unit 12b Peddie Street

Dundee DD1 5LB

TELEPHONE: 01382 566283

e-mail - info@taysidemstherapy.co.uk

Social Support/Chamber Volunteers Wanted

This is an opportunity to undertake a satisfying and rewarding role as part of our team of volunteers, working in our friendly therapy centre while providing an extremely useful and appreciated service to the community. 

We are looking for volunteers who are available for a couple of hours on Saturday, either morning or afternoon.

We ask that you are physically fit, friendly and caring to offer our members, who are attending for Oxygen Therapy, social support by welcoming them on arrival, by preparing and serving refreshments, chatting and generally providing a secure, relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. 

We would also like you to provide support to our chamber operator.  Full training will be provided.

If you are interested and would like more information, please get in touch (tel 01382 566283) or drop an email to sheila@taysidemstherapy.co.uk

Getting things done - Hawkhill and Peddie Street #dundeewestend

Residents recently brought to my attention the poor pavement surface at the Peddie Street/Hawkhill junction - on the west side - especially around the drop kerb, where the surface is bumpy with deteriorating tarmac.

I raised this with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now received the following positive response :

"The Road Maintenance Partnership inspector has advised that he has raised an order for a number of repairs to be carried out by the thermal patching machine at this location."

Tayside MS Therapy Centre - volunteers wanted!

I recently visited the Tayside MS Therapy Centre in Peddie Street to discuss a number of local issues with the team.    I have been asked to advertise the following notice for HBO Chamber Operator Volunteers that the centre has recently issued :

HBO Chamber Operator Volunteer 

Due to the retirement of 2 long serving volunteers, we are

now recruiting for Chamber Operator Volunteers

(To comply with operator guidelines, the minimum age is 18)

This is an opportunity to undertake a satisfying and rewarding role as part of our team of trained volunteer operators, working in our friendly therapy centre while providing an extremely useful and appreciated service to the community. 

We are looking for people who are physically fit, friendly, caring and available for a couple of hours (ideally early evening, but hours variable to suit) and who are willing to undertake appropriate training to be capable of operating our HBO Chamber along with a second, back-up, operator. This is a very important role involving following simple documented procedures, which meet Health & Safety requirements while providing a secure and relaxed atmosphere for people undergoing treatment. Involvement can be on a regular, relief, back-up or emergency basis.

The charity operates a volunteer policy which provides a two-part agreement, that volunteers attend any relevant training sessions to ensure they are confident and comfortable in their role(s) and that we are providing the best possible service for our members while meeting legislative requirements such as Health & Safety and Data Protection.

Please feel free to get in touch or pop in to see us and find out what we do.

Tayside MS Therapy Centre

Unit 12b Peddie Street

Dundee DD1 5LB

Telephone: 01382 566283             e-mail:  info@taysidemstherapy.co.uk 

Peddie Street - Scottish Water works

Last week, following complaints from residents that the Scottish Water works (and excavations) were running over their planned finish date, I received an assurance from the company that the road would be returned to normal by close of play last Friday.

However, this did not happen as the photo (right) taken at the weekend highlights.

I contacted Scottish Water over the weekend and their Community Manager has responded :

"Sorry to hear this as we were informed this would be completed and removed on Friday.  

I will pick up with the project team and establish why this has not happened."

I am anxious this is resolved ASAP given the disruption to residents, including loss of parking.

Graffiti tackled - Peddie Street area

Constituents have raised with me concerns about graffiti vandalism in the Peddie Street area - at the pathway between the street and Tait's Lane and on some of the nearby industrial estate buildings - see examples below :

I raised this concern with the City Council's Rapid Response Team who promptly removed graffiti on publicly-owned sites and have sought owners' permission to remove graffiti at these locations.

Path tidied - Tait's Lane to Peddie Street

Having requested - on behalf of residents - tidying of the overgrown foliage in the pathway from Tait's Lane to Peddie Street, I am pleased to see work to do this has now been undertaken - see below :

Walkabout - Blackness/Corso/Abbotsford area

Yesterday, along with a representative from the Housing Department and a representative from the Environment Department, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness/Corso/Abbotsford area.

New improved street
lighting being installed
in the area

The six-monthly walkabouts take place in a number of areas (Pentland and Logie are other examples) and are a useful way to look at local issues and problems and ensure these are taken up and resolved. 

Pavement trip hazard at Peddie Street/
Abbotsford Place junction reported
for repair

Here's a couple of photos of matters discussed yesterday, which also including bins/cleansing issues and overgrown trees in the area.

Tait's Lane - an update

I recently reported that the pathway from Tait's Lane to Peddie Street is in need of tidying, with some weeds require removal and the foliage requires trimming - see right.   The council had also advised me that it would attend to overgrown foliage in the Tait’s Lane car park area.

On the pathway, the City Council’s Environment has now advised me that:

" ... we will have this sprayed out ... also, regarding the shrubs, this will be carried out at the same time as the car park area."

Tuesday meetings

Yesterday morning, along with the area Housing Officer and a representative of the council's City Development Department's Roads Team, I took part in a walkabout round the Corso Street, Abbotsford Street and Place, Blackness Road and Peddie Street areas, to look at local issues and ensure any problems are resolved.

Here are some of the matters we tackled yesterday :

Pavement repair required - corner of Peddie Street and Abbotsford Place - now reported for repair

Litter removal required - communal area - Peddie Street

Tree branches across pavement - Abbotsford Place - reported for trimming

Drain cover Blackness Road - reported for repair

Last night, I attended the October meeting of West End Community Council, at which there was an interesting address by Derrick Lang, the Dundee Airport Manager.   

My Update to the Community Council for October covered both West End Christmas Fortnight plans and also pavement improvements locally.   You can download the Update here.

Visit to the MS Therapy Centre in Peddie Street

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of visiting the MS Therapy Centre in Peddie Street, where I had a very positive meeting with the centre's committee and had a tour of the excellent facilities.    The photo below is of myself and some of the committee at the centre yesterday:

For those who kindly nominated me for the ice bucket challenge, I can't take this up (for the very obvious reason that I had a serious bout of pneumonia earlier this year) but I made a donation to the centre in lieu of taking up the challenge.

The centre is looking for volunteers and if you are interested, please contact the centre on 566283.

Blackness area walkabout

Yesterday, along with council officers from Housing and Community Safety Wardens, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness area.   The six-monthly walkabouts take place in a number of areas (Pentland and Logie are other examples) and are a useful way to look at local issues and problems and ensure these are taken up and resolved.

Here's a couple of issues picked up from yesterday's walkabout:

Eurobins in Peddie Street - I have raised the emptying schedule with the Environment Department

Tree bed in Blackness Avenue - now a muddy trip hazard since the removal of the tree - I have taken this up with the City Council