Amazing skies!

Grateful thanks to Jim Glover who recently sent me these photos of amazing skies at the waterfront!

As Jim says, "That's why we're Scotland's sunniest city even when it's raining."

Getting things done – Ancrum Road #dundeewestend

A resident recently contacted me as follows :

‘I was wondering if it's possible to get the drains cleared the around Ancrum Road school.   There was a river running past the crossing lights and lots of standing water at school pick up … Is it also possible to ask for the area to be gritted in winter?’

I contacted the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership about this and have received this helpful feedback :

“An order has been raised for the gully machine to attend the gullies opposite Ancrum Road School. Ancrum Road footways are included in a priority gritting route therefore if winter maintenance operations are in process these footways will be treated.”

Getting things done – Miller’s Wynd Car Park #dundeewestend

I am grateful to everyone who, last week contacted me about flooding in the Miller’s Wynd Car Park.

I took this up immediately with the City Council’s parking team and have been given the following helpful response :

“One of my colleagues inspected Miller's Wynd car park again last Monday and Thursday morning and he confirmed that the car park is drying out.

We suspect that it was the heavy rain running down the slope that caused this problem but we will continue to monitor the situation.”

Getting things done – Rosefield Street #dundeewestend

Residents recently drew to my attention two blocked road drains in Rosefield Street.

I took up this matter with the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now received the following positive response :

“An order has been raised for the gullies to be cleared.”

Help celebrate Global Citizenship Month!

The One World Centre is hosting a really exciting online Book Chat on Wednesday 9th September 4pm – 5.15pm. 

The purpose is to bring teachers together to share books they have used with their pupils to help them develop a greater awareness of our world, and consider the role they can play in helping to make it a fairer, better place for everyone.  

Also invited is Barbara Henderson, author of the beautifully written “Wilderness Wars”, to talk about her book and its associated resources for teachers.  

You can listen to teachers talk about their favourite books – fiction and real-life stories - to engage and inspire children and young people. 

And if you have a book on a Global Citizenship theme you’d like to share, that would be even better!

Sign up at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-chat-about-books-with-themes-of-fairness-environment-equality-tickets-117496496183

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2020

West Hendersons Wynd – closed from Monday 7 September for 3 days for carriageway resurfacing.

Riverside Esplanade – off-peak nearside lane closure on Thursday 10 September for Scottish Water ironwork repair.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Strawberrybank – closed from Thursday 17 September for 5 working days for wall maintenance works.

Latest update during the COVID-19 health emergency

Further update - for Sunday 6th September from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)

CARE HOME VISITS

Professional health and social care services will be able to resume visits. Throughout the pandemic these non-essential visits had been paused.  From Monday 7th September care homes can resume face-to-face care from a wide range of health and social care professionals, including podiatrists, physiotherapists, optometrists, dentists, social workers and mental health and disability specialists.   Activity in indoor communal areas – for example lounges and dining areas – can resume safely too.

https://www.gov.scot/news/health-and-well-being-visits-to-care-homes-to-resume/

QUARANTINE

Portugal and French Polynesia are being removed from the quarantine exemption list. If returning from these locations after 4am yesterday (Saturday) you are required to self-isolate at home, or another specified address, for 14 days on arrival in Scotland.  Greece was also removed earlier last week.  The arrangement is for the whole of these countries unlike the Welsh Government which has adopted a regional approach.

https://www.gov.scot/news/further-quarantine-measures-introduced-for-travellers/

After Willie Rennie MSP questioned the Scottish Government on the weaknesses in the quarantine spot checks, more money is to be invested in the contact centre to employ 25 new contact tracers.

https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-1-million-to-support-quarantine-efforts/

CHILDCARE

New support is available for the childcare sector to help pay for increased cleaning, new or additional equipment, better outdoor spaces or adaptations to buildings.

https://www.gov.scot/news/help-for-childcare-providers/

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE ACCOMMODATION GUIDANCE

There is revised guidance for colleges, universities and student accommodation providers. 

https://www.gov.scot/news/safe-return-to-campuses/

INFORMATION

UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications

Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news

Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19

NHS Inform - https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19 

NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk

Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.

Health Protection Scotland Guidance - www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19

Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus

Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.

Ready Scotland Information - www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus

Tayside Cares - www.taysidecares.co.uk

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

This has been an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.

CONTACT DETAILS

WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson

Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)

E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk

Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend

Lords-and-ladies at Riverside #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the local resident for these photos - she adds :

"I was pleased to find lords-and-ladies on Riverside. 

I thought we were too far north."

Lords-and-ladies (Arum maculatum) with its bright autumn berries, is a valuable perennial for shady borders.

Engage Dundee initiative

Residents across Dundee are being asked to fill out a new questionnaire to help key agencies learn how Coronavirus has impacted on all of Dundee’s communities.

Dundee City Council, Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action and NHS Tayside are working together through the ‘Engage Dundee’ initiative to collect information directly from citizens around Dundee.

The purpose of the questionnaire is to learn more about how individuals experienced services during the lockdown period, in addition to finding out the priorities of Dundee’s citizens going forward.

The feedback obtained through the survey process will inform future local community planning priorities across the city.

You can give your views at http://dee.communitychoices.scot/

Paton's Lane or Patons Lane? #dundeewestend

Further to the recent discussion about the spelling of Strawberrybank (or is that Strawberry Bank?), residents have queried the spelling of Paton's Lane or  is that Patons Lane, without the apostrophe?

I sought the advice of the City Archivist who has helpfully responded as follows :

"The Dundee directories, electoral registers and Ordnance Survey maps include the apostrophe whilst the valuation rolls do not. Curiously the street name appears to be listed both with and without the apostrophe on the One Scotland Gazetteer of addresses.

According to Gillian Molloy's 'Street Names of Old Dundee' the street is thought to be named after James Paton, a manufacturer in Hawkhill who took possession of land in the Seafield area of the Estate of Blackness in 1815."

The photo above is of the lane in the past.   The first door on the right of the photo is numbered 19 and the one next to that 21.   The industrial building is number 23 and according to the 1965 Dundee Directory was occupied by the joinery company McTavish, McAinsh & Sons.

Dundee's virtual Flower and Food Show 2020

The 32nd Dundee Flower and Food Show will take place from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September virtually, due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

The event, which is usually a popular gathering at Camperdown Country Park, attracting in the region of 18,000 visitors, will this year take place exclusively online.

Many of the Show’s traditional exhibitions will continue, including cut flowers, pot plants, fruit and vegetables, which will now be on display via photographs and videos.

Various other familiar sections will be present, as committee members, along with their societies, plant nurseries, chefs, and community groups will be involved.

In addition, there will be some unique inclusions for the festival’s first ever virtual occasion.

More information about this year’s Dundee Virtual Flower and Food Show is available at www.dundeeflowerandfoodfestival.com

Getting things done - Hillside Drive #dundeewestend

I am grateful to residents who highlighted blocked drains in Hillside Drive at its south end.

I contacted the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership regarding this and have received the following positive response :

"An order has been raised to clean two gullies in Hillside Drive."

Face covering exemption scheme

Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action is working in partnership with Dundee City Council to provide an exemption letter to people who have a health condition or disability who are unable to wear a face covering safely in order to support any difficulties they may be having. 

People may have an acceptable reason not to wear a face covering if:

• They have a health condition where a face covering would be inappropriate because it would cause pain, severe distress or anxiety

• They cannot apply a covering and wear it in the proper manner safely and consistently

• They need to take medication

• They need to communicate with another who relies on lip reading

• They need to eat or drink

• They are a child under the age of five

You can contact the council’s Customer Services on 433558 for more information or complete the online form at https://my.dundeecity.gov.uk/MyServices to request a letter.

Rail station and Riverside of old #dundeewestend

With thanks to Maggie Brown and ‎Dundee Westenders, a fabulous old view of the rail station and Riverside!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

Road Report for West End Ward - Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2020

Perth Road (at Hazel Avenue) - temporary traffic lights from Thursday 26 August for up to one week for gas main repair.

Report for West End Ward - Week Commencing Monday 31 August 2020

Blackness Road (at Urquhart Street) - temporary traffic lights on Monday 31 August for Scottish Water investigation work.

Lochee Road (at Polepark Road) - overnight (7.00pm – 2.00am) temporary traffic lights on Monday 31 August for Scottish Water investigation work.

Perth Road (at Rockfield Street) - temporary traffic lights on Friday 4 September for Scottish Water ironwork repair.

Forthcoming road works

West Hendersons Wynd - closed from Monday 7 September for 5 days for carriageway resurfacing.

Strawberrybank - closed from Thursday 17 September for 5 working days for wall maintenance works.

Keep KitKat Fairtrade!

Nestle has announced that KitKats will no longer be Fairtrade. 

From October it will stop buying from cocoa and sugar farmers in Cote d’Ivoire, Fiji and Malawi on Fairtrade terms. 

That means taking away around £2 million of annual Fairtrade Premium payments, in the middle of a huge health and economic crisis. 

Farmers will be getting less for their hard work and have less control over how they spend their money.

As a member of Dundee Fairtrade Forum, I strongly believe this cannot be right, especially when Nestle turned a profit of over $10 billion last year. 

Please sign the petition to Nestle’s CEO that we want KitKat to stay Fairtrade at www.change.org/p/ulf-mark-schneider-nestle-global-ceo-keep-kitkat-fairtrade - many thanks!

Community cafe at the Friary reopens #dundeewestend

The City Church community cafe at the Friary in Tullideph Road reopens today at 11am – all welcome!

Getting things done – Blackness Road, Glamis Road, Glamis Drive #dundeewestend

Residents recently contacted about an advertising hoarding on the Blackness Road, Glamis Road, Glamis Drive roundabout.

As one resident put it :

“I was very upset this morning at the sight of a bright pink advertising hoarding facing my garden from the Glamis Rd/Blackness Rd Circle.   This erection went up overnight with no notification that it was going to be erected and no opportunity to discuss the issues.   The circle has recently been improved visually with a tree and plants and it is now totally spoilt by the use of the circle for adverts.”

I am all for the council seeking advertising revenue from roundabout sponsorship at locations like the city centre/shopping and business areas but not where it is immediately adjacent to residential housing and asked the City Council’s Head of Planning and Economic Development is this could be removed.

I am pleased to say he has responded positively as follows :

“I can confirm that the signs on the Blackness Road/Glamis Road roundabout will be removed.  I anticipate that the works will be undertaken over the next two weeks.”

Weeds at road edges in the West End – an update #dundeewestend

Numerous constituents have contacted me about the extent of weeds at road edges across the West End.    

Whilst appreciating that services have not been as normal through much of 2020 due to the health emergency, I was anxious to see this addressed and am therefore pleased to see this feedback from our local environment manager :

‘As part of our planned maintenance and recovery programme, the 2nd city wide street spraying and commenced from 17th August and should take about 4 to 6 weeks to complete.’

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 24 AUGUST 2020

Riverside Esplanade – off-peak nearside lane closure on Tuesday 25 August for Scottish Water manhole repair.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Blackness Road (at Urquhart Street) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 31 August for Scottish Water investigation work.

Lochee Road (at Polepark Road) – overnight (7.00pm – 2.00am) temporary traffic lights on Monday 31 August for Scottish Water investigation work.

Strawberrybank – closed from Thursday 17 September for 5 working days for wall maintenance works.

Prepay electricity meters - Top-up fund COVID-19

As part of a very helpful fund to assist communities in Dundee through the current challenging circumstances, Hillcrest has advised me :

"I am writing to inform you of the fund we currently have available. This is for any Dundee resident that has a prepay energy supply and costs have gone up due to lockdown.

The £30 voucher is issued within 24 hours by the fuel bank and is by text or email, so a mobile phone number or email is required for the client to get the voucher."

Any resident with a prepay meter who requires this support can e-mail me at fraser@frasermacpherson.org.uk or phone me at home on 459378 and I will be pleased to make a referral on their behalf.

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

Blether Tay-Gither is the Dundee Storytelling Group.

From Sheila Kinninmonth, Blether Tay-Gither’s secretary :

“Hope you can join us for our August Blether on Tuesday 25th August via Zoom.  

The Theme is "WATERY TALES."

Last month’s zoom meeting went very well so we will are having another go.    

Join us to share a story or just to listen!”

For the log-in details to participate, contact Blether Tay-Gither at sheila@blethertaygither.org.uk 

Strawberrybank or Strawberry Bank? #dundeewestend

The recent discussion about the road marking in Strawberrybank resulted in a few enquiries to me from residents about the spelling of Strawberrybank ... err ... or is that Strawberry Bank?

I must confess that I have always personally spelt the lane as Strawberrybank but ran the query past the City Archivist who advises :

"With regard to the name, Dundee directories, electoral registers, valuation rolls and One Scotland Gazetteer of Scottish addresses have it as 'Strawberrybank' whereas it appears as 'Strawberry Bank' on Ordnance Survey maps. 

According to Gillian Molloy's 'Street Names of Old Dundee' it was originally called Hampton's Lane after John Hampton, a mason and gardener who owned property there.

It is referred to as Strawberry Bank in a document dated 1859 and the name is thought to refer to a nearby bank of wild strawberries."

A Love Letter to Dundee: Joseph McKenzie Photographs 1964-1987

Residents will be aware that I have in the past posted some of the fantastic historic Dundee West End photographs of the late Joseph McKenzie on my West End Facebook page.

A fabulous exhibition of Joseph McKenzie’s photography opens today at McManus Galleries and runs until October 2021.

Further details are available at www.mcmanus.co.uk/exhibitions/a-love-letter-to-dundee 

Further temporary traffic order – Park Place

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 crane lifting works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Park Place (between Old Hawkhill and Smalls Lane), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Friday 21 August 2020 at 16:00hrs until Monday 24 August 2020 at 05:00hrs.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Two way traffic will be permitted in Smalls Lane for the duration of the works.

Alternative routes are available via Old Hawkhill/Smalls Lane.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Consultation on school catchment areas to re-start

From the City Council’s Director of Children and Families Service to City Councillors :

“Now that schools will reopen in what would be regarded as normal school days from Monday 17th August, it would be our intention to continue the consultation process to its conclusion.

With this in mind we intend to run the consultation for an additional three weeks from 17th August to 4th September. 

This will provide some additional time for stakeholders to respond to the proposals set out in the consultations and it will also permit the completion of any remaining discussions with schools and staff which were postponed.

It would be important to note that prior to lockdown the vast bulk of the consultative meetings had taken place, including public meetings for each proposal where Education Scotland was present.   In fact, at the point of lockdown the consultation had only a few days to run.

Due to ongoing restrictions on large public gatherings, we intend to carry out any engagement in this additional 3 weeks extended period using a digital format.”

Letters were issued yesterday to parents of the affected schools.     The relevant one for the West End is as follows :

TO PARENTS/CARERS OF PUPILS ATTENDING HARRIS ACADEMY, ANCRUM ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL, BLACKNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL, CAMPERDOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL, TAYVIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL AND VICTORIA PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear Parent/Carer

LEARNING ESTATE CONSULTATIONS

THE REMOVAL OF INVERGOWRIE PRIMARY SCHOOLS STATUS AS AN ASSOCIATED PRIMARY TO HARRIS ACADEMY FROM AUGUST 2021

THE REVISION OF CATCHMENT AREAS FOR ANCRUM ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL, BLACKNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL, CAMPERDOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL, TAYVIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL AND VICTORIA PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL FROM AUGUST 2021

You will be aware that the above consultations were due to run from 10th February to 27 March 2020.

Unfortunately, due to the Corona virus pandemic and unprecedented events resulting from COVID 19, all schools in Scotland closed on 20 March 2020 and we were unable to complete the consultation within the timescale originally envisaged.

Schools will not be open again for all pupils in what would be regarded as normal school days until Monday 17 August 2020.    With this in mind we intend to extend the consultation and conclude it on 4 September at 5pm.   This will provide some additional time for stakeholders to respond to the proposals set out in the consultations.

The bulk of the planned consultation activities had been carried out prior to the lockdown of schools on 20 March 2020, including public meetings on both proposals. However, there were two further planned public meetings (one on each proposal), that we could not take forward as a result of the lockdown.

Due to ongoing restrictions on large public gatherings, and in an attempt to best support the conclusion of the consultation process and make sure we obtain the most comprehensive views of the proposals, we intend to carry out these last two events using a digital format. The resources used to support the previous public consultation events will be made available via the consultation web pages to allow stakeholder access to any information or materials they would have received at a public meeting.

Over the three week period, stakeholders will be able to submit questions which will be answered on a weekly basis by senior council officers with both the questions and answers published on the webpage. Please use the following link to the consultation webpage where there are details of the engagement and how to respond. 

A link to the questions and answers section will also be found within this.

www.dundeecity.gov.uk/school-learning-estate-formal-consultation

I hope this letter provides some clarity and a way forward during these challenging times. 

I look forward to continuing to receive your views on the proposals and your engagement in the digital events.

Yours sincerely

PAUL CLANCY

Executive Director of Children and Families Service

Ninewells Community Garden event #dundeewestend

A garden and wildlife planning meeting from Ninewells Community Garden is online this Wednesday at 6pm - all welcome!

More details at www.facebook.com/events/344282919936818

Removal of Universal Free TV Licence - some helpful advice

Residents may recall my recent Facebook article on 30th July expressing my concern and disappointment that, from the 1st August, the free TV licence for all over 75s was removed. 

Instead, the BBC has introduced a new scheme that offers free TV licence assistance to only some over 75 households.

Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action has given some helpful advice about how to continue to get a free licence :

“To be eligible, the licence holder must be 75 years or older and you, or your partner living at the same address, must be in receipt of Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is one of the benefits that is not well claimed.  

To check if you qualify for this or other benefits such as Housing Benefit, council Tax Reduction or Attendance Allowance you can contact either Welfare Rights at Dundee City Council on 01382 431188 (option 2) or by email on welfare.rights@dundeecity.gov.uk or you call the Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 44 222. 

Being in receipt of Pension Credit not only enables you to receive a free TV licence,  but also allows access to other benefits too.

If you had a free TV Licence up to 31 July, you don’t need to do anything just now to stay licenced.

TV Licensing has started to write out to all those affected asking them to pay or apply for a free one.  This may take a couple of months.   They will explain in their letter to you what you need to do to set up your next licence.  These letters should arrive within the next couple of months and the licensing authority has confirmed that currently you continue to be covered.”

The following information is from Age Scotland :

“We want you to be aware of how to spot a scam letter or email regarding this, so please be advised that TV Licensing will only ask you to pay using the following options:

By post using the address:  TV Licensing, PO Box 578, Darlington, DL98 1AN

Online at www.tvl.co.uk/75pay or www.tvl.co.uk/75apply

Over the phone on 0300 790 6151

If you are contacted and asked to pay for your TV licence using a different phone number, a different website or by posting your details to a different address you have been contacted by a scammer.

If you are unsure about anything, you can call TV Licensing on 0300 303 9695 to speak with someone who can help.  

If you have been scammed then we need to know about it, so please report this to Police Scotland on 101.”

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - SATURDAY 15 AND SUNDAY 16 AUGUST 2020

Perth Road (at Invergowrie Drive) - temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 11 August for up to one week for gas main repair.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17 AUGUST 2020

Lochee Road (at Polepark Road) – mini contraflow on Thursday 20 August for BT works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Esplanade – off-peak nearside lane closure on Tuesday 25 August for Scottish Water manhole repair.

Strawberrybank – closed from Thursday 17 September for 5 working days for wall maintenance works.

Mental health and wellbeing support

 

DIAL-OP and GO - looking for volunteers

 

Getting things done - Lochee Park #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the residents who highlighted to me at the weekend damage to one of the swings in the playpark at Lochee Park.

I have reported this to environment management at the City Council asking for a repair and a safety check at the other swings here too.

Getting things done - Newhall Gardens #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the residents who last week highlighted to me that, in the heavy rain, a large part of a tree in Newhall Gardens came down, landing on the central grass area.

I drew this to the attention of the council's forestry team who very promptly removed this last Thursday.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

Please note that most works are subject to change and late completion due to the restrictive measures in place following UK and Scottish Government advice that only emergency/urgent works and those considered essential should take place during this period.

Forthcoming Road Works

Strawberrybank – closed from Thursday 17 September for 5 working days for wall maintenance works.

Harris Education and Recreation Association Zoom classes! #dundeewestend

Harris Education and Recreation Association is running a short programme of online classes in September. 

You can enrol for one of the Zoom classes via our website. 

Enrolment will open at 6pm on 19th August, and close on 26th August. 

Full class details will be available at www.heradundee.org.

Getting things done - Roseangle car park and playpark #dundeewestend

I am grateful to the residents who recently highlighted to me the fallen fence between the car park and playpark at Roseangle.

I contacted both City Development at the council (responsible for the car park) and Neighbourhood Services (responsible for the playpark) and the Head of Environment responded helpfully as follows :

"I can confirm that the local environment manager has picked this issue up and is arranging for an urgent repair."

Getting things done - Perth Road to Riverside Avenue #dundeewestend

There’s a path from Perth Road just west of the Ninewells Garage down to Riverside Avenue.

It looks OK at the top end but as residents walk down it, it is very overgrown and a resident said at one point it is actually difficult to negotiate your way down it.

This path was orginally in private ownership but was upgraded by the council around the time Riverside Nature Park was opened to provide access from Perth Road, so I am hoping there is a maintenance agreement in place so I have asked our local environment manager if the foliage can be cut back.

Lochee Park update #dundeewestend

I recently received a request from a constituent in relation to Lochee Park :

“I noticed a bunch of new benches and bins in Victoria Park, looks great and I am sure will be appreciated. I wonder if there are plans for some more seating in Lochee Park?”

So ... I am delighted to welcome the new picnic table and seating at Lochee Park although I have asked our local environment manager if it may be possible to have more provided.

He has responded as follows :

"The picnic table was provided as part of improvements that are being made to Lochee Park. There was only one picnic bench included in the design but if it proves popular and there is a need for more we can consider this later in the year."

Update on bus service 4 #dundeewestend

Bus service 4 has not operated since the start of the COVID-19 health emergency.

As the only bus service covering Windsor Street, Magdalen Yard Road and Roseangle (as well as also passing Pentland and Logie), I asked Xplore Dundee if there is any chance of its resumption in the near future.

The company's Operations Manager has responded as follows :

"Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to operate service 4.   We have had to concentrate all of our resources on mainstream services to allow for physical distancing measures.    I cannot give you any indication of when this will change."

I will, however, update residents further when there is any change to this.

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 :

Biodiversity across the West End #dundeewestend

I am very grateful to the West End resident who has kindly sent me these lovely images of biodiversity in the West End :

Riverside Drive 1961! #dundeewestend

A great colour photograph of a Keiller delivery van in Riverside Drive in 1961 

Temporary Traffic Order - Park Place

From the City Council - I am assured that Dundee Dental Hospital is aware of this : 

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 crane lifting works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Park Place (between Old Hawkhill and Smalls Lane), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Saturday 1 August 2020 for 3 days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Two way traffic will be permitted in Smalls Lane for the duration of the works.

Alternative routes are available via Old Hawkhill/Smalls Lane.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council