Getting things done - issues around the Seabraes site #dundeewestend

We have recently received concerns from residents regarding the Scottish Enterprise ground at Seabraes - specifically - the fenced off ground where decontamination works took place and Scottish Enterprise is now attempting to resolve groundwater issues has been left unsecured;  also the bins along the path from Roseangle to Greenmarket have not been being serviced efficiently.

We raised this with Scottish Enterprise to request that its agents Colliers dealt with these issues and received the following response :

"I can confirm that Colliers are now addressing the issues you have raised.

By way of an update on the drainage issue, we are working with Network Rail and Tesco to agree an entitlement which will allow SE to access a pipe which may solve the groundwater issues on the site. This, unfortunately is something that may take time, however we are working towards a resolution."

Seabraes looking lovely! #dundeewestend

The Seabraes viewing site has been looking superb during the past few days of lovely weather ...

The mini bandstand! #dundeewestend

The mini-bandstand at Seabraes - another excellent photograph from Mila White Photography!

Getting things done - Seabraes lift and foliage #dundeewestend

Michael is pictured at the lift to the Seabraes bridge. We recently received concerns about lift breakdowns - the first such concerns in rather a long time.

We raised this with the City Council and received the following feedback from the Principal Engineer (Design & Property Services) :

"See below a response from DCC maintenance team with regards to the lift.

We have recently been made aware of a couple of breakdowns with this lift. Unfortunately, due to the lift's external and remote location it susceptible to misuse, dirt collecting in the door tracks, corrosion etc, which have been contributing factors for the majority of breakdowns over the years.

All repairs are attended to the same day they are reported to us, although again due to its location, we rely on members of the public to inform us of any breakdowns due to not having any DCC staff on site (like we do with all other lifts).

DCC carry out regular servicing of this lift including a service being carried out each month, a 6-monthly LOLER inspection and an annual LG1 inspection."

We also received complaints about the extent of vegetation to the north of the bridge and, having raised this with council environment management, received the following feedback :

"Our operatives have called into the area, north side of the bridge and carried out work to remove self-seeded Buddleia that were causing partial pedestrian obstruction. Access improvement has now been made."

Update on former rail goods yard at Seabraes #dundeewestend

As residents are aware, over many years, the former rail goods yard at Seabraes behind Roseangle has been fenced off due to decontamination works by contractors for site owners Scottish Enterprise (SE).

It was pointed out to us that recently, although the hoardings along the path from Roseangle are still there, the east entrance (where Greenmarket roadway currently ends) was wide open and the public could walk into the site.

We raised several questions with SE - below - along with SE's responses :

Q : Is the access at the east end intentional?

A : Access is not intentional and Colliers our managing agent for the site have now instructed the landscapers to secure the site as soon as possible.

Q : If so, should the hoardings now be removed?

A : There is no intention for the hoardings to be removed at this time.

Q : Is the decontamination work complete?

A : The outstanding work is not in relation to decontamination; however, it is a drainage issue which we are working to resolve following remediation work which was carried out by SE several years ago.

We are actively working towards a solution to the drainage issue on this site, however it is a complicated process which involves involvement of both Network Rail and Tesco who own neighbouring land.

Due to the involvement of other parties and the complicated nature of these works, it is expected to take some time to resolve.

Q : What are SE’s intentions now for the site?

A : Once the drainage issue has been resolved it is intended that SE market the site for sale (residential use).

Getting things done - Seabraes viewing area #dundeewestend

We recently had a query regarding the redevelopment of the Seabraes viewing area.

The path surfacing was looking odd as new black tarmac was placed on a section of the path (see photo) which looked poor next to the original buff colour.

We contacted the council's Projects Team Leader who reassured us as follows :

"The buff resin bond surfacing is due to be laid around the benches. It should be noted that the new resin bond colour will appear brighter than the original surfacing due to weathering but will blend in over time."

Getting things done - Seabraes site #dundeewestend

I recently had a number of complaints about the extent of litter right along the pathways of the Seabraes site from Roseangle to Greenmarket.

This area is owned and managed by Scottish Enterprise. I contacted SE and the Regional Facilities Manager of its managing agents Nile Management responded positively as follows :

"I have arranged to get one of our contractors on site ... to carry out a litter pick of the area and will also price up to have additional litter bins installed at various points throughout the site. These will be emptied by our new landscaping contractor going forward."

There has already been a marked improvement but I will be keeping a close eye on this top ensure this improvement is maintained.

Getting things done - Seabraes #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently highlighted to me graffiti on the directional signs near to the Seabraes Bridge :

I reported this to the City Council's Rapid Response Team and am grateful for the rapid response! :

Getting things done - Seabraes #dundeewestend

Many thanks to all the residents who contacted me about the tree damage at Seabraes following the recent Storm Malik.

One tree has sadly been uprooted and another is leaning badly.

I took this up with the City Council's Head of Environment and have been promised that the department has added Seabraes to the sites where action is required following - initially - Storm Arwen and subsequent high winds.

Getting things done - Seabraes fencing damage #dundeewestend

Residents contacted me after Storm Arwen at the end of November about the damage to the fencing through the Seabraes site along the path from Roseangle to Greenmarket.

The fencing is owned by Scottish Enterprise and fences off the area that was subject to decontamination works over the past decade.

I am grateful to Scottish Enterprise for promptly ensuring that exposed nails on parts of broken fencing was promptly dealt with and work commenced to repair the fallen sections of fencing.

I asked, on behalf of residents, if the fencing would be repaired or simply removed as the decontamination works were completed some time ago.

The position of Scottish Enterprise is that the fencing will be retained and repaired and has advised as follows :

"The decontamination works on the site were completed in 2017.  

Since then the focus has been on improving onsite drainage and surface water, with remedial work undertaken onsite and in the gardens of (two properties in) Roseangle.  

Discussions are continuing with Network Rail in relation to the use of an outfall pipe which would release the surface water capacity required to develop the site. 

However progress on that continues to be slow given the pipe was installed back in 1990 and locating wayleave is proving difficult."

Getting things done - Seabraes issues #dundeewestend

I have recently had complaints about a couple of issues in the Seabraes area.

Firstly, one of the handrails on the steps down from the seating area at Perth Road is damaged :

Secondly, there is foliage growing across the handrails of the steps up to the Seabraes bridge over the rail line :

I have reported both matters to the City Council requesting these be resolved.

Getting things done – Seabraes bins #dundeewestend

A West End resident recently contacted me regarding the bins at Seabraes :

“I had a lovely walk up Perth Road yesterday but was saddened to see the gulls had been out in force at Seabraes.

Any chance the bins can be changed to the ones at City Quay which are more gull proof please?”

I took this up with our local environment manager who has now updated me as follows :

‘Just a quick note to say that we are looking into this. 

 Any replacement bins would have to be in keeping with the rest of the furniture and of a suitable type and construction, so we are looking into what is available.’

Getting things done - Seabraes #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the residents who recently highlighted to me that the pillars at Seabraes where the lemmings statues are have unfortunately been vandalised with graffiti.

I raised this with the City Council's environment team requesting that the graffiti is removed and pleased to say this was done towards the end of last week.

Environmental improvements across the West End

I am pleased to advise that, at last night's City Council Neighbourhood Services Committee, various environmental improvements across the city were approved.

In the West End, these will include improvements at Riverside Nature Park, along Riverside Drive and at Seabraes.

Further detail is given in the plans below :

Getting things done - Seabraes #dundeewestend

I received concerns last week about glass strewn around the steps at Seabraes and ivy over the steps - also utility covers that required putting back in place.

I raised the glass issue with the council's Neighbourhood Services to get it cleared up and am also grateful to the Roads Maintenance Partnership which promptly visited the site in relation to the utility covers :

Getting things done – Seabraes #dundeewestend

A resident recently contacted me saying :

“Do you think that you could request that the markings that distinguish and delineate the cycle lane from the footpath at Seabraes between Roseangle and Greenmarket could be refreshed/reinstated?

With the increased number of cyclists and pedestrians using this thoroughfare there needs to be greater clarity as to who should be where on this shared path.”

I raised this with the Director of City Development at the City Council who has responded helpfully as follows :

“I confirm that we are aware that in a number of areas around the city existing cycle path markings and signage have become difficult to see.

We have bid for funding as part of the “Spaces for People” phase 2 bid to allow us to reinstate any worn markings and enhance signage to encourage cycle usage.

If this funding is confirmed I will ask officers to ensure that this marking is replaced as necessary.”

Getting things done - Seabraes bridge lift #dundeewestend

Since the Seabraes bridge opened in 2015, I have had to report numerous lift breakdowns to the City Council and there have again been problems recently.

I have now been updated by the Team Leader in Dundee City Council's City Development Department Infrastructure Team, as follows :

"Following discussion with our internal property colleagues, the recent fault with the lift has been with the landing call buttons 'which when pressed' have not called the lift as highlighted by your constituents. 

I have been advised that the buttons were recently replaced, however this has not completely resolved the problem. 

Lift engineers attended site last week and gave (remote) access to the lifts software which allowed the control board manufacturer to look at what was going on with the programming. 

They have presented a couple of ideas which they are currently trying at the moment.  If all else fails, then the control panel may need to be replaced."

I am keen to ensure there is a robust solution as the number of breakdowns over approaching five years has been significant.

Seabraes - looking superb again this year! #dundeewestend

I have highlighted over the years the superb job the City Council made of Seabraes planting each year.  

  

2019 is again no exception - see below - a real credit to the City Council’s environment team in Neighbourhood Services :

Getting things done - Seabraes area #dundeewestend

I have recently had complaints about the extent of rubbish and litter along the western end of the path running from Roseangle to Greenmarket.   The problem area has been the part from Seabraes west towards the Roseangle car park.

The council's Rapid Response Team, at my request, kindly did a litter-pick there recently.   However, I wrote to Scottish Enterprise to get its assurances that it would ensure the area is kept clean in future, as I was sure responsibility would rest with Scottish Enterprise.

The Director of Business Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise has now advised me :

"I am advised that SE’s responsibilities cover the area shown outlined red on the plan (below). 

Our external Property Managing Agents have been reminded of our responsibilities with particular reference to litter collection so you should see an improvement."

Getting things done - Seabraes bridge lift #dundeewestend

Last week, following complaints to me from residents that the lift at the Seabraes lift was again out of action, I reported this to the City Council.

The lift was swiftly repaired but I have asked for - and been given assurances - that signage will be provided with the contact phone number for reporting when the bridge is not working.