Street lighting - Hillside/Glamis Drive/Hazel Drive area - further update

Further to my update earlier this week about the street lights being out in much of the Hillside/Glamis Drive/Hazel Drive area, in which I advised that there was an electricity supply problem, I have now received this further news from SSE :

"Our Network Integrity team are aware of this fault and have advised that it is high on this priority list.

We have had a number of faults on our network as a result of the snowfall which the team have had to attend to in the first instance.

Can you please share our apologies and advise that we will resolve this by next week at the latest?"

I should add that, after receiving this update yesterday afternoon, residents advised me that SSE vans had appeared, so if the lights were not back on last night they should now be back on very soon.

Lighting issue - steps from Scott Street to Pentland Avenue #dundeewestend

Over the years, I have had numerous requests for better lighting at the steps from Pentland Avenue down to Scott Street.

This has always proved a difficult site to provide a solution at as this earlier response from the Street Lighting Partnership Manager indicated :

“I have looked at several option for lighting these steps over the past year or so and I cannot find a suitable option for these steps. Having looked at solar powered light for the steps and subsequent talks with manufacturers, they all come to the same conclusion (that) there is insufficient sun light during the winter months to sustain power for the light at this latitude.

The cost of excavating and powering a light by the normal means on the steps would run into the thousands of pounds, providing I can get a way leave to track in to the adjacent ground."

However, I have had more requests from residents recently to see if a solution can be found and went back to the street lighting team about this.

I was advised by the Street Lighting Partnership Manager at the end of last week as follows :

"We did change the lantern on the column at the bottom of the steps in 2017 in order to try and throw some light onto the steps but the practicalities of installing lighting in the vicinity are very difficult.

Let me discuss with colleagues and I will come back to you. 

In the meantime, I wonder if the trees at the top need cutting back again? I recall they were a problem before."

I have raised the need to thin tree foliage with environment services at the council and will keep residents update on the lighting issue here.

Getting things done – Perth Road street lights #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the residents who highlighted to me last week street lights that were out on Perth Road between Hazel Avenue and Invergowrie Drive.

I raised this with the Street Lighting Partnership who very promptly updated me as follows :

“ … the lighting fault on the Perth Road has been rectified.

Someone had gained access to the street lighting control cabinet and interfered with the controls.

This has now been reset, the cabinet door secured and the lights should be operating correctly.”

There was, thereafter, a further issue with the timer, but this has now been resolved and the lights should now be operating properly.

Street lighting improvements - Hawkhill #dundeewestend

I have been advised by the City Council's Street Lighting Partnership Manager as follows :

"I'm informing you that we have a lighting replacement scheme about to commence in the Hawkhill area of your ward, starting on Monday of next week.

We intend to replace all the lighting columns and cable network along the length of the Hawkhill from Brown Street out as far as Peddie Street.

Obviously this is a large project for us and Tayside Contracts will be assisted by a sub-contractor, T N Gilmartins, who will be undertaking excavation works on site. 

Works will commence at the city centre end and progress westwards from there. 

We will of course, endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum although some traffic management will be required.

Weather permitting, works are expected to last 10-12 weeks."

Getting things done - Hawkhill and West Port #dundeewestend

Residents recently raised with me the fact that the street lighting in parts of the Hawkhill by-pass (near Blackness Primary School) and West Port was not on in the morning when it was still dark.

I am grateful to the Street Lighting Partnership who promptly resolved this - a timeclock issue, now fixed.

The Street Lighting Partnership Manager advised me that timeclocks are being phased out to avoid such issues.   She indicates :

"We replace the timeclocks with a photoelectric cell which operates on the ambient lighting levels. Currently we are using cells which switch the lights at 35lux in the evening and 18 lux in the morning.

Unfortunately it is not a straight swap for these components and often some additional cabling and tracking is required."

Lighting on paths and steps in Pentland - an update

Further to my article in May following the site visit with the Street Lighting Partnership Manager and also with the Chair of Community Spirit Action Group, the local residents' group, to look at the new street lighting in Pentland, yesterday I had a useful meeting with the Director of Neighbourhood Services, some of her housing team, the council’s Service Manager - Community Safety and Resilience and the Street Lighting Partnership Manager.

This was primarily about the issue that, because the new lighting is that, because it is focussed on the road and pavements, it does not light paths and steps to housing as well as the old lighting.    I am concerned that in the winter, darker months, lighting could potentially be inadequate.

We agreed the following approach which makes sense :

• Ensure trees that need trimmed (already identified) are attended to – to maximise the effectiveness of existing lighting.

• After the clocks change in October, undertake measurements of lighting levels on these steps and paths to ensure they meet required levels.

• If there are any locations where lighting needs boosted, static security lights will be progressed.

• The Community Wardens service will meantime monitor any concerns about lighting in the area.

Energy saving street lighting

There has recently been news that Stirling Council is set to save £31m over the next 30 years by installing energy saving street lights. 

That local authority is borrowing almost £10m from the Green Investment Bank to install LEDs in 12 000 street lights over the next four years.

I think that's a great initiative and asked the City Council its position on doing so.     I have been advised by the Street Lighting Partnership Manager :

"We are currently putting together a business case for LED lighting in the city and the source of funding for this will be given due consideration by our finance colleagues I am sure. 

Green Investment Bank is only one of a number of financial sources available to local authorities."

Logie area - street light replacement

A number of constituents in Logie have contacted me expressing their concerns about the replacement street lighting in parts of the local area.

I raised the concerns with the City Council's Street Lighting Partnership Manager, who advises :

"I can confirm that we are currently in the process of replacing some of the lighting columns in the Logie area as part of our agreed capital replacement programme. The existing concrete columns in that area are now in the region of 50 years old and are beyond their expected service life and despite appearing to be robust from the outside are no longer serviceable. Their replacement is with our standard residential column and lantern arrangement which provides the best economical and lighting output.

Street lighting is not a planning issue so there is no requirement to consult with members of the public when replacing existing lighting schemes and indeed it is not standard practice to do so. I am sure you will appreciate that with 25,000 lights to maintain in the city this would be an enormous strain on resources should we have to consult every time we need to replace a column and is simply not possible.

Historically, columns were placed at the front edge of a footpath (in the days of fewer vehicles) but over the years experience has shown that it is advisable to position them at the rear of the footpath in order to afford them some protection from accidental damage due to vehicles whilst at the same time maximising the available footpath width for wheelchairs and buggies which need to pass. Obviously this is dependent on suitable planting depth being available below ground and hence why we sometimes have to deviate from this rule.

I appreciate that the result of this is that it does bring the light source closer to properties and that this can be a concern for some (and yet is welcomed by others). I would state however that the new modern optics contained within the street light are far better at controlling the output of light to where it is needed (i.e. onto the footpaths and carriageway) and away from properties than those previously installed. Nonetheless, it can still be an issue for some residents and in those cases we would always seek to find a compromise position (e.g. the installation of a shield if necessary) with the householder. 

We are always happy to discuss such issues and assist where we can."

Lighting issue - steps from Scott Street to Pentland Avenue - an update

I have previously highlighted residents’ requests for proper lighting on the steps from Scott Street to Pentland Avenue - see below:

The steps are well-used and the adjacent street lighting only gives limited coverage.    Providing traditional lighting would be very costly given the layout and slope and so the council’s Street Lighting Partnership agreed to my request to investigate the viability of solar lighting.

I recently asked for an update from the Street Lighting Partnership, who now advise :

“I have looked at several option for lighting these steps over the past year or so and I cannot find a suitable option for these steps.     Having looked at solar powered light for the steps and subsequent talks with manufacturers, they all come to the same conclusion (that) there is insufficient sun light during the winter months to sustain power for the light at this latitude.

The cost of excavating and powering a light by the normal means on the steps would run into the thousands of pounds, providing I can get a way leave to track in to the adjacent ground. 

Until I can find an alternative means to power a light or a manufacturer develops a more efficient means of using alternative energy I can not see a way forward with this queries (but) I will continue to pursue a solution for lighting for these steps.    Until then if your constituents do not wish to use the steps in the dark there is a lit alternative route via Scott Street to Pentland Avenue.”

I will continue to pursue this matter as having better lighting on the steps would greatly assist residents using them at night.

Lighting concern - Riverside Avenue to Perth Road

Residents have expressed concern that lights on the path under the rail line, between Perth Road and Riverside Avenue (that runs to opposite Wright Avenue), are not working.

There are six lights on this path of which only three are working.

This is a frequently used path and I have contacted the City Council's Street Lighting Partnership seeking urgent repair.

Street Lighting - Lower Pleasance/Douglas Street/Brewery Lane

Residents have complained to me that some of the street lighting at Lower Pleasance, Douglas Street and Brewery Lane is obscured by foliage from overgrown trees.   I took this up with the Street Lighting Partnership and have been advised :

We have looked at the various streets mentioned. There are some areas where the trees are obscuring the light.   We will get them cut back in the next couple of days.

Lighting issue - steps from Scott Street to Pentland Avenue

Steps - Scott Street-Pentland Avenue

Last year, I raised, on behalf of residents, the need for lighting on the steps from Scott Street to Pentland Avenue.   The steps are well-used and often by elderly people and are quite dark at night, relying on what light reaches the area from the adjacent roads.

At the time, the council's Street Lighting Partnership advised :

"… we looked at putting lights on the stairs.   Unfortunately it's just not technically feasible and the costs would not justify since there is a lit route via the end of Scott Street."

However, as I have continued to receive requests from residents for lighting here, I have again raised the matter with the Street Lighting Partnership, who have updated me as follows :

"I have spent some time looking into alternative method of lighting this footpath.    The position on conventional lighting remains the same. 

I have looked at some solar powered lighting by Philips Lighting and was advised that Solar Lighting it not really feasible in the North Hemisphere as there is insufficient sun light to keep the batteries charged for the whole year. possibly as technology moves a more cost effective and easier method of lighting footpath my become available.

I will continue to pursue the lighting industry for a permanent answer to these problems."

With the agreement of the Street Lighting Partnership, I have asked a contact I have at the University of Dundee, who has expertise in solar lighting, to hopefully provide some advice on this matter that could provide a solution.

Street Lighting Partnership

I am pleased to say that, yet again, Dundee has had the best street lighting service in Scotland in terms of fewest number of lights out and speed of repair during 2013.

The Street Lighting Partnership does a superb job and has been extremely helpful this year - as always - in terms of lighting repairs in the West End.

For information, the following faults/defects are classified as Emergencies and should be reported immediately to the Council by phoning the following telephone number.

• 0800 232323 (freephone)

• 01382 433063 (if using a mobile phone)

Faults/Defects which constitute Emergency Attendance:

• Street lights or illuminated traffic signage damaged by vehicles.

• Missing column doors / Exposed wires.

• Groups of lights and Single lights out are not normally classed as emergencies and will be passed for repair the next working day.

• Lantern Bowls hanging.

The council website has a form for the reporting of non-emergency Street Light Faults Only that you can access here.

On Wave 102 news ...

I was on the Wave 102 news yesterday speaking about my concerns over a likely hike in street lighting costs - click 'play' to listen:

Concern over increase in street lighting electricity costs

Over the past few days, I have heard from colleagues on other councils across Scotland that the electricity companies are considering increasing very significantly the cost to councils of street lighting.    Although it has yet to be finalised, I understand that Scottish & Southern Energy is looking at increasing its Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges by approx 2.5pkWhr from 1.7p to 4.3p for unmetered customers. 

The City Council’s Street Lighting Partnership tells me that this would add approximately £280 000 to Dundee City Council’s Electricity Bill.

I have great concerns about an increase of this magnitude – it is extremely high in relation to real inflation and comes at a time when the City Council like other local authorities is trying to finalise its budget for 2012/13.   Such an increase has not been factored into the budget and I have therefore been in touch with the Director of Finance who advises :

“The latest proposed development which is being challenged has not yet been implemented or included in the Provisional Revenue Budget for 2012/13.

We propose to tackle this in 3 ways:

1. We are looking at possible spend to save initiatives to reduce our electricity burden on street lighting.

2. I am taking the latest proposals up with Procurement specialists to see if there is anything that can be done to secure a contract for this element of street lighting.

3. We do have a provision for increased energy costs of £603k in the Provisional Revenue Budget for 2012/13 along with £650k for general contingencies. At present we do not know what the actual impact of energy price increases will be but this is our best estimate.”

Speaking as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the City Council, my own comment is that it is very difficult to see any justification for this level of increase in charges coming at a time of great pressure on council budgets.     DUoS is not part of the National Procurement Scotland Contract which only deals with the Raw Energy Element.     

I think there is also an issue for the regulator OFGEM in that Scottish & Southern DUoS charges for unmetered Customers is by far the highest of any of the other 12 UK Distribution Companies thereby penalising local authorities in the North and North East of Scotland. 

Lighting at Balgay Park and Hill - an update

At the latest Balgay Stakeholders' Group meeting last month, there was a discussion about lighting improvements in the park.   

The upgrade will be completed in January but I was given an update by the City Council towards the end of last week as follows :

"We had a team working on the lighting for the whole day.

We now have the first 2 lighting columns from the Scott Street end illuminated, but underground cable faults means the rest of the equipment is dark on this section of road until you get to the pavilion. Not much more can be done here until January. Good news on the North end.  From Glamis Road, we have managed to illuminate 5 columns from the entrance to just past the pavilion. So you have the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 8th street lights illuminated.

The other lighting columns will be replaced with the main street lighting works in January."

Campaigning to save the Crichton Street collection office

At tonight's City Council meetings, I raised concerns at the Policy & Resources Committee about the recent decision of Royal Mail Group to close its Crichton Street Enquiry Office and relocate its functions, from 29^th August to the Edward Street Delivery Office for customers living in the DD1 postal area, and from 5^th September to the Dundee West Delivery Office, Baird Avenue, for customers living in the DD2 and DD3 postal areas.

I highlighted the many concerns raised by customers that, given that the Crichton Street Enquiry Office is a very central facility in the city and the alternative facilities are not located in the city centre, this will have a detrimental impact on customers, particularly those who rely on public transport to visit Royal Mail facilities.

My motion asked the council's Chief Executive to write to the Director of Scottish Affairs, Royal Mail Group, outlining the City Council’s concerns at the decision to close the Crichton Street Enquiry Office, requesting that Royal Mail Group postpones the Crichton Street Enquiry Office closure pending further discussion with the City Council and invites the Director of Scottish Affairs, Royal Mail Group, to meet with the Chief Executive and City Councillors on the matter.   The motion was unanimously agreed, with an addition from the Convener about the consultation process.   I was pleased to mention that DD One, the City Centre's Business voice, has contacted me, voicing its support for the campaign to save the Crichton Street collection office.

What was important tonight was that the City Council spoke with one voice over the proposed closure of an accessible Royal Mail facility and it was good to see all-party support on the matter.

At the same committee, I asked a question about the sustainability of jobs for Dundee citizens under the Employability Programme.    

At the Housing Committee, I asked about improving tenant satisfaction with the Housing Department's performance and at City Development Committee, I praised the continuing great performance by the street lighting partnership.

Shepherd's Loan

I have received complaints from residents that the lamp post on the west side of Shepherd’s Loan opposite the mouth to High Mill is damaged (see right).

I have ensured this is reported to the Street Lighting Partnership for repair.

Seafield Road lighting update

Further to my various posts about the lighting issue at Seafield Road recently (see http://tinyurl.com/seafieldlightshere), I am pleased to say the replacement lighting unit has now been installed (see right) and should be fully operational soon.

Seafield Road - lighting update

Earlier this week, I advised of the City Council Chief Executive's positive response to my request that street lighting replacement policy be altered so that streets like Seafield Road - where lamp posts have been removed following damage by motor vehicles - can get their street lights replaced.

On receipt of the Chief Executive's feedback, I asked the City Engineer how quickly the light at the south end of Seafield Road can be replaced, and I have now been advised as follows :

"Due to the need to liaise and arrange with Scottish & Southern for the power supply and to order the materials and programme the work, the streetlight will be replaced within the next 4 weeks."