Getting things done - Polepark Road #dundeewestend

We received residents' concerns about the mess around the Eurobins on the west side of the Polepark Road and raised this with the City Council.

Environment management updated as follows :

"Thank you for the email regarding the mess at the Eurobins on Polepark Road.

Two off our staff members attended the site but due to parked car very little was done.

We will monitor it - we are hoping  we can make improvements when there's no cars there."

Temporary Traffic Order - Polepark 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 footway resurfacing works. The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 16 September 2022. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all southbound vehicular traffic in Polepark Road from its junction with Lochee Road to its junction with Milnbank Road.

An alternative route will be available via Lochee Road, East Marketgait, Hawkhill, Horsewater Wynd, Guthrie Street and Brook Street.

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS - phone 433168.

Paths and steps improvements at Mitchell Street, Fyffe Street, Benvie Road and Polepark Road #dundeewestend

Some time ago, on behalf of residents, I highlighted to the City Council the very poor state of the rear paths and steps to the greenie poles in the "square" of properties at Mitchell Street, Fyffe Street, Benvie Road and Polepark Road that back onto each other.

There was a site visit with residents, the tenancy officer and myself about this and other issues and I am pleased to say that, at the council's Neighbourhood Services Committee last night, councillors approved a significant tender of nearly £125 000 (£150 000 including fees, etc) to replace 7 sets of steps with new handrails and resurface all the paths.

I am very pleased at the outcome of this, which will make access to the back of the housing and drying area much safer.

Getting things done - Lower Pleasance/Polepark Road car park #dundeewestend

Residents recently highlighted to me that at the tenants’ car park between Lower Pleasance and Polepark Road, a buddleia is starting to take over and will no doubt start to cause damage to the boundary wall if left to its own devices.

I raised this with the City Council and have been assured it will be passed to appropriate officers for attention.

Getting things done - Polepark Road/Lower Pleasance #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who contacted me earlier this month about damage to the wall at the residents' car park between Polepark Road and Lower Pleasance.

I reported this to Neighbourhood Services at the City Council and the Housing Support Officer has since responded as follows :

"(In response) to your enquiry sent 06/06/21 regarding the issue with the damaged wall at the car park adjacent to 45-65 Polepark Road ... a repair was logged on 08/06/21 to carrying out reinstatement work here.   This is shown as completed on our system 11/06/21 so the issue should now be resolved."

Photos before and after the repair are below :

Dog fouling complaints tackled #dundeewestend

I have recently received complaints from residents in the Eassons Angle, Fyffe Street and Fleucher Street area about dog fouling on local pavements.

I raised this with the Animal Control Officer who advises :

"Signs have been erected in Fyffe Street and Polepark Road.   I will continue to monitor the area."

Polepark Road - an update #dundeewestend

Further to the notice I mentioned last week about works on Polepark Road from Monday coming (23rd October), Scottish Water has now advised as follows :

Polepark Road Sewer Works :

Please note that this work is completely separate from the current ongoing water network works taking place in Blackness Road.  The work in Polepark Road is to carry out an essential sewer repair to a blocked section of sewer in Polepark Road just to the North of Bissells Bar.  

The nature and location of the work means that a localised road closure is required during the works.  The closure will be in place in Polepark Road from junction with Milnbank Road to the junction with Fyffe Street.  The closure has been agreed in conjunction with Dundee City Council roads team.

Local vehicle access will be maintained where possible and pedestrian access maintained at all times.  There will be no interruption to water or waste water services planned during these works.

Our contractors Keir construction will be carrying out the work on our behalf and have written to all affected householders.

Temporary Traffic Order - Polepark Road

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 sewer repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Polepark Road (between Fyffe Street and Milnbank Road), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 23 October 2017 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Lochee Road/Tullideph Road/City Road/Milnbank Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Polepark Road environmental improvements

Late last year, I highlighted that the City Council had identified environmental improvements at Polepark Road as part of a number of welcome works taking place to upgrade areas in the West End.

Polepark was particularly welcome as I had previously advised the City Council the need for upgrade of the area to the back of the flats on the east side of Polepark Road.

The works were approved at the council's Neighbourhood Services Committee last month and I asked if the tenants' car park immediately north of the flats would be improved at the same time given its poor surface.

The council's Head of Housing and Communities has now updated me as follows :

"I can confirm that the car park area at this location is on the Housing Revenue Account.  We have opened discussions with environment staff to ensure that we co-ordinate housing and environment works in this area so that the car park does not detract from the other works being planned."

Temporary Traffic Order - Edward Street/Brook Street/Polepark Road/Brewery Lane

From the City Council (arising out of the recent road damage at the above junction - this temporary traffic order is to allow for road reinstatement next week, following investigation by Scottish Water as to the cause of the damage) :

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 emergency manhole and carriageway repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Polepark Road (at its junction with Brook Street, Brewery Lane and Edward Street), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 1 August 2016 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

No access or egress to/from Edward Street or Brewery Lane will be available during these works.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Brook Street / Urquhart Street / Blackness Road / Forest Park Road / Milnbank Road.

For further information contact 433168.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Polepark Road flats - back area

On a recent walkabout with the Community Spirit Action Group, we were concerned about the state of the flower bed areas at the back of the Polepark Road council flats situated in Lower Pleasance.      See photo below :

I took up the matter with the council's Neighbourhood Services Department and have since been advised as follows :

"   ... (we are) making arrangement to ensure the area is cleaned up as a matter of urgency and in addition is reviewing the maintenance schedule.

There is a tiredness with some of the planted area/fencing etc and we will include some of these restoration works within our capital proposal for later in the year."

Path - Lower Pleasance to Polepark Road

Following my receiving residents' complaints about the unkempt state of the pathway that runs from Lower Pleasance to Polepark Road, just south of the Polepark play area (see below), I have asked the City Council's Environment Department to tidy it up:

I have also received an assurance from the Environment Department that the grass in the play park will be tidied regularly over the summer months, following a recent complaint about it being overgrown.

Busy Tuesday ...

A busy day today on local issues, including :

* A morning site visit to speak with residents in Mitchell Street/Polepark Road/Benvie Road about the recent external cyclical works to their properties.   Council officers from housing and architects also attended.

* A meeting with the Pennycook and Sinderins Courts' Residents Association, at which we discussed a number of local issues.

* A meeting of the Jericho House Support Group.  The support group is a regular meeting at which a number of us discuss fundraising and other projects to support this important facility in the West End Ward, that assists those recovering from alcoholism.   We had a good discussion about funding initiatives to support the House, participation in Doors Open Day 2014 and the new production of a play that the House service users and staff will be participating in.

* Tonight at the West End Community Council, there was a lengthy presentation on bin collection and recycling proposed changes and we also discussed the roads proposals relative to Riverside Drive.

Getting things done - Playpark area in Polepark Road

Last October, on behalf of residents, I obtained assurances from the City Council's Environment Department that improvements would be undertaken at the Polepark Road playpark area that had become overgrown and untidy in places and where the decorative wall had badly deteriorated.

As you can see below, the improvements have now been carried out and the area is looking a lot better.   I did, however, request that the council remove some graffiti on the artwork and this has now been carried out.

Before

After

Playpark area in Polepark Road - need for improvement

Residents in Fyffe Street and Polepark Road have been in touch with me regarding the poor condition of the playpark area at the north end of Polepark Road.

See photos below:

I have been in touch with the City Council's Environment Department about this and have been advised:

"This area is one we have identified as a possible site for environmental improvements under the capital programme ... we are keen to carry out some improvement works here over the winter months."

Mr William Bissell

I was saddened to learn of the death on Wednesday of Mr William Bissell, at the age of 95.

Born in the West End, Mr Bissell was the long-standing licensee of Bissell's Bar in Polepark Road (see right) in the West End Ward, and was also a leading member of the Dundee Licensed Trade Association for many years.

Willie and Margaret Bissell and their sons were neighbours of ours when we were growing up back in the late 1960s and into the 1970s.

Hugely respected in the licensed trade and by all who knew him, Mr Bissell will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Getting things done ... Polepark Road

Late last year, at my request, the Housing Department had the back areas of the City Council-owned flats in Polepark Road tidied up.

Residents have complained to me that the areas are again overgrown - see below:

I contacted the City Council about this and the local Housing Officer has now updated me as follows:

"I visited Polepark Road ... regarding the complaint about overgrown bushes and general untidiness of the area. I have issued a line to Enviroment Department to prune back the shrubs at front and rear of the 3 blocks.   I have also issued a line to have the area litter-picked."

Good news on free to use cash machines in the West End

Last month, I highlighted the issue of the need for more free to use cash machines across the city.

I mentioned that I had written to a major national retailer about an ATM at one of their stores in the West End Ward to see if the company nationally was willing to consider contributing to the costs of this particular ATM so it could offer free cash withdrawals in the future.

I am pleased to advise that this retailer - the Co-operative Group - has reacted positively and has converted the AGM in question (at their store at the junction of Polepark Road/Edward Street/Brook Street) to free to use - see new machine now installed - right.

I had a very positive discussion with a representative of the Co-operative Group about this and am very pleased at the company's positive and speedy response.

Residents who live in the area around Polepark were some distance from a free to use ATM so the outcome is really good news.

Getting things done ... Polepark Road

On behalf of tenants in Polepark Road, I recently asked the Housing Department of the City Council to tidy up the very untidy areas to the back of the flats on the east side of the street.

With thanks to the department, the area is now looking a lot better :

Midweek Update!

A busy week thus far, so quite a few things to update on :

* I had a very useful and productive meeting today with the Head of Transportation and the Sustainable Transport Team Leader at the City Council to discuss local bus services, including the report going to the City Development Committee on Monday on the outcome of tendering for local bus services.   It looks promising that there will be improvements to the current 69 bus service in terms of timetable - good news for those parts of the West End covered by the service.   It is also hoped to see improvements to the Friendly Bus shopping service serving sheltered housing.

I also discussed with the Head of Transportation parking issues around West Port, the speed limit on Riverside Drive and traffic speed in residential areas.

* This afternoon, I attended the City Council's Job Creation Working Group, at which employment initiatives in the city were discussed.   This group provides a good opportunity for council group leaders, council chief officers and Chamber of Commerce representatives to discuss the employment situation in Dundee and related matters.   I asked questions on a number of matters, including progress with the refurbishment of the Dundee rail station.

* Over the past few days, I have had constituents express concern about a proposal to have a taxi rank at St Andrew's Cathedral in Nethergate.     A number of the concerns have been resolved by confirmation that the rank will operate only between 11pm and 6am, but, on behalf of residents, I have sought assurances from the City Council's Director of City Development to ensure arrangements with Waste Management are in place for any litter to be removed before the Cathedral opens in the morning and that any possible alteration to the taxi rank timings in the future would require full consultation before any implementation.

* JC Decaux has agreed to tidy up its advertising area at the corner Perth Road and Ryehill Lane, following my contacting the company on behalf of residents.

* The West End Community Council has updated the design of its new website at www.dundeewecc.co.uk - its well worth a visit and has a crisp, professional look.

* Late this afternoon, along with colleagues from Friends of Magdalen Green and the West End Communities Officer, we met with a parks representative from the council's Leisure and Communities Department on the green to discuss where to site BBQ tables, following our recent consultation with residents.    

The outcome of the consultation showed residents strongly in favour of BBQ tables (these will reduce damage to the grass from disposable BBQs) but residents did not want the new tables near housing or where they would not be used by residents.   After discussion, we agreed to a site to the west of the bandstand, sheltered by trees.    See photo below.     We also agreed to more litter bins (and bigger ones!) with Friends of Magdalen Green helping with funding of them.

* Tonight, I attended a walkabout in parts of the north of the West End Ward, along with representatives from the Community Spirit Action Group, the communities officer for the West End, our Community Police Officer and one of my ward colleagues.   We looked at various issues affecting the area that we will these take forward with appropriate council departments and others - examples below :

Polepark Road - damaged wall

Larch Street - road damage