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."

Riverside of old #dundeewestend

With thanks to SJ Bogue and Dundee Memories, a birds-eye view of the Royal Highland Show at Riverside back in 1949 :

Airborne Forces Day event at Riverside #dundeewestend

The Tayside Parachute Regimental Association will be be hosting Airborne Forces Day Scotland for the first time on Saturday 20th July at Riverside - on the pitches west of Barnetts Motors and east of the pavilion opposite the Bridgeview Station Restaurant.

The event - which is free of charge to attend - will start with a special military tribute at 11am, complete with band, and the event runs until 5pm.

There will be hot and fresh food from Angus Farmers' Market with over 20 vendors.

There will be WWII military vehicles on show, a British Army Jackal 3 vehicle, an Army Cadets Force display and a chance to meet 'Pegasus' - The Parachute Regimental Association Shetland Pony mascot.

More information available at www.facebook.com/events/1007178354433945

Local community groups are also taking part - all welcome!

Environmental improvements - Riverside roundabouts #dundeewestend

With regard to the roundabouts along Riverside Drive, works were agreed at the council's Climate, Environment and Biodiversity Committee as follows :

"Hard and soft landscaping improvements at Riverside East Roundabout, Riverside Inn Roundabout and Tesco Roundabout.

This will entail refreshing planting areas with regional specific plants that are stress / drought tolerant.

The project aims to improve visibility / sightlines along this important ambassador route into the city centre."

Riverside East Roundabout is by the Tesco servicing entrance, and Tesco Roundabout is the roundabout next to the Tesco petrol station. Riverside East roundabout was improved first, with traffic management in place this weekend 23rd to 26th March, followed by Riverside Inn Roundabout (see photo) with traffic management in place 30th March to 2nd April.

Tesco roundabout will be improved shortly thereafter.   Riverside East and Riverside Inn roundabouts both benefit from new planting schemes with sculptural boulders. Tesco roundabout will receive remedial pruning works.

Riverside Drive update #dundeewestend

Following concerns from pedestrians about a minority of cyclists not taking care when passing them or using their bell on the shared path along the waterfront at Riverside Drive, the City Council kindly agreed to our request for new warning signage which we are pleased to say is now in place.

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

We recently received a request from residents that the council cut back some of the foliage on Riverside Drive just south of the bridge over the rail line and the Botanic Garden.

We therefore raised this with the City Council requesting it is attended to.

Temporary Traffic Order - Riverside Drive today

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 iron work repairs HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Riverside Drive (prohibition of right turn into Bridgeview Café car park), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 17 September 2023 at 9am until Monday 18 September 2023 at 6am.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Riverside Drive (eastbound) / Tesco roundabout / Riverside Drive (westbound).

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Riverside Pavilion - possible community uses #dundeewestend

From West End Community Council :

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Some time ago we were promised by the City Council some signage around 'cyclists to be respectful of pedestrians/use your bell' along the river front at Riverside Drive, but that appears not to have materialised.

We took this up with the council's Active Travel Project Officer who has helpfully advised as follows :

"Thank you for passing on the comments ... about issues on the shared path at this location.

We will instruct Tayside Contracts to manufacture and install signage as shown below at this location and will let you know when this work is scheduled."

Footbridge south of Harris Academy - an update

Residents will recall that, some months ago, there was unfortunate recent vandalism of the footbridge over the rail line south of Harris Academy.

The repair has taken some time for the council to arrange as it requires a rail line possession agreement with Network Rail.

We are pleased, however, to advise that the council's City Development Committee recently approved the tender to allow works to proceed.

Michael sought and obtained at committee an assurance that every effort would be made to ensure repairs are completed and the footbridge re-opened in advance of the school returning after the summer holidays.

Getting things done - footbridge south of Harris Academy #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, before Christmas, there was unfortunate recent vandalism of the footbridge over the rail line south of Harris Academy.

The principal engineer at the City Council dealing with this has further updated us on progress with repairs as follows :

"Tayside Contracts has set up security Heras fencing at both sides of the bridge to prevent access. This fencing will be in place until the bridge repairs are complete.

Network Rail and Dundee City Council engineers have assessed the bridge and confirmed that although the bridge is damaged there isn’t a need to introduce train speed restrictions.

We are consulting with Network Rail to formalise their required Basic Asset protection agreement (BAPA), line possession dates and estimation of their costs.

Also, we are currently putting together tender contract documentation for the required bridge repairs, which we hope to have issued in the next few weeks for contractors to price.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a timeframe until we have a contractor appointed and Network Rail’s agreement for rail track possession."

Temporary traffic order - Riverside Drive

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 Network Rail bridge safety inspection works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Riverside Drive (between Tesco Roundabout and Barnetts garage), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Saturday 28 January 2023 for 2 nights (10pm to 6am).

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Riverside Drive / South Union Street / Nethergate / Perth Road / Riverside Avenue.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Back in October 2021, Fraser had a site visit with a member of West End Community Council and a City Council officer about several issues on Riverside Drive.

We agreed that some cycle parking provision just east of the car park at the Bridgeview Station Restaurant would be a good idea, particularly as there was plenty space for this.

Fraser raised this with the City Development Department at the council and received a positive response.

It has taken a little time to deliver as it was tied into another project delivery schedule but we are pleased to say it has now been installed.

Getting things done – Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Residents will be aware of the concerns raised about red-coloured graffiti damaging the flood defence walls along Riverside Drive

We asked the City Council to remove this vandalism and thereafter received this helpful response :

“Our graffiti team now have this in hand and it will be attended to.”

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently highlighted the graffiti on the pavilion - some unfortunately offensive - and the worn state of the entrance signage to the pavilion area on Riverside Drive.   See photos of the pavilion below :

We raised this with the council's environment management and our local environment manager has responded positively as follows :

"Thank you for your email ... concerning the offensive graffiti. We will make arrangements to inspect and include the removal of graffiti from this property. We will also include the removal of the graffiti from the sign at Magdalen Green sign."

Getting things done - Riverside Drive - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that I previously reported that the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial - on its side facing the river - was starting to wear, making the writing difficult to read - see below - and removing parts of the mural - see first photo :

I took this up with the council's Public Art Officer who kindly made arrangements for the wording to be refreshed.    This has now been done and the result is excellent as the second photo shows :

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Residents in Millhall Crescent and Newhall Gardens recently asked me if it would be possible to have a section of handrail on the hill up Riverside Drive from Newhall Gardens to the Perth Road.

What has highlighted this is that older residents no longer have access to the Blether Bus that used to serve Newhall Gardens and the only way to access public transport is to walk up the steep hill to Perth Road

I raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and its senior engineer has responded very positively as follows :

"I have looked into the pavement and am in agreement

We will install a handrail on Riverside Drive from Newhall Gardens to Perth Road

I am awaiting a date from my contractor , when I have one I will let you know."

 

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

A number of residents have mentioned to me that it would be good to have a public access path right along the river front on Riverside Drive from Discovery Point to the Invergowrie boundary.

Currently, the Green Circular walking/cycling route has to veer north, away from the river, immediately west of the Bridgeview Station Restaurant as the path along the front comes to an end just west of there (see photo).   This is because of the airport site to the west where there is no path access through at the south end of the airport next to the river.

I contacted the airport manager who advises :

'The airport has never considered including a path as that area is out with the airport boundary and I believe it sits with the council.

In principle we would consider this provided that there is a security plan included within that.

I think the bigger concern would be the safety when in this area and it would need some hefty protective measures.

I know the council engineers who were dealing with the flood protection works were looking at the area to the west and north of the airport.'

I thereafter contacted the council's Outdoor Access Officer with this feedback and he responded as follows :

"I have exchanged emails with City Development colleagues. Dundee City Council Engineers have carried out some initial investigation of where a path could go and what would be required to be engineered. 

Flood defence work may be required here in the future and it is hoped that this will give an opportunity for funding and provide an area for any path to be constructed.    No further design or investigation work is underway at the moment."

I have asked the council to engage with the airport on this as I would hope that a properly secured access could be built in to future flood defence works to improve the public access along this stretch of the riverline along Riverside Drive.

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Residents contacted me about the overgrown foliage on the west side of the part of Riverside Drive going northwards from the roundabout at the Riverside Inn towards the Botanic Garden.

I raised this with the City Council and am most grateful for the work that was subsequently carried out.

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Some weeks ago, I had a site visit with a member of West End Community Council and a City Council officer about several issues on Riverside Drive.

We agreed that some cycle parking provision just east of the car park at the Bridgeview Station Restaurant would be a good idea, particularly as there is plenty space for this.

I raised this with the City Development Department at the council and received a positive response.    The Senior Project Officer, Active Travel Strategy has now advised further :

"I am working on a wider cycle parking project which focuses on the city centre and I aim to fold the installation at Bridgeview into that wider package of works.

I have to complete the wider project by March 31^st 2022 but I intend to have the work completed before then. I will of course provide you with a further update once I have more definite timescales from the contractors."