Friday 30 June 2017

Open planned maintenance - Scott Street and Pentland #dundeewestend

I have received complaints about the frequency of maintenance of areas at Scott Street and Pentland - see photos below :
Scott Street - west end
Pentland
I have asked the council's Neighbourhood Services to urgently attend to this.

Thursday 29 June 2017

West End Ward Surgeries #dundeewestend

With the schools closing for the holidays at lunchtime today, my surgery at Blackness Primary School does not take place tonight and my usual weekly ward surgeries do not recommence until after the school summer holidays.

However, I can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns through my e-surgery - just e-mail esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk.

Surgeries recommence on Thursday 17th August - surgery details are available here.

I can also be contacted at home at any time on 459378 and also during office hours at my Dundee City Council office on 434985.

Wednesday 28 June 2017

Perth Road shopping area - resurfacing #dundeewestend

Many constituents have contacted me regarding the resurfacing of Perth Road's road surface (plus north pavement and new pedestrian crossing) starting at the beginning of the Dundee Holiday Fortnight.

I therefore paste below and update I have received from the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership regarding this :

"Major Road Maintenance Works Perth Road (Hawkhill to Roseangle)

I would like to advise you of major carriageway and footway maintenance works that will have a significant impact on the road / footway network and local businesses in the above area. This notice is given in advance of the letter which will be issued to all effected parties. 

We are planning to resurface Perth Road carriageway from Hawkhill to Roseangle. In conjunction with this work we are planning to resurface the north footway between Hawkhill and Pennycook Lane and carry out further footway works in Pennycook Lane. We are also proposing to replace the pedestrian crossing unit at Union Place.

We anticipate that this will affect businesses greatly during the 4 week programme.

After many discussions and meetings it has been decided to work site hours of 11am to 8pm weekdays and 11am to 6pm Saturdays, no Sunday working is planned in order to give residents some respite from the works.

These arrangements will allow for deliveries and access outwith the above hours although all signing will remain in place for the closure."

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Footway parking and double parking - a consultation

The Scottish Government's consultation on footway parking and double parking closes on Friday.   The consultation document can be downloaded here.

As the issue of parking on pavements and across dropped kerbing is a subject of many constituent complaints, I have already submitted a response.

It takes only a few minutes to do so and I would urge any West End resident with views on this to submit a response - you can do this here.

I raised this matter at the council's City Development Committee last night.   It was suggested that the consultation may be being extended to 31st August.   However, as the Scottish Government website still indicates a 30th June deadline, I would urge people wishing to respond to do so as soon as possible.

Monday 26 June 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 26 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 23 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 8 weeks.

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive for 24 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

Perth Road (at River Crescent) - temporary traffic lights for up to 3 weeks for sewer remedial works.

Roseangle (Perth Road to Seabraes Court) – closed until Monday 26 June for SGN connection works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Sunday 25 June 2017

D'Arcy in the Garden


Saturday 24 June 2017

Temporary Traffic Order - Ancrum 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 carriageway resurfacing works.  The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 3 July 2017.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Ancrum Road from its junction with Glamis Road to its junction with Logie Street.

Pedestrian access and vehicular access to premises will be maintained where possible.

An alternative route will be available via Logie Street, High Street, A923 Coupar Angus Road, South Road, Arran Drive, Charleston Drive, Elmwood Road, Glamis Road and reverse.

Any queries should be directed to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or phone 433168.

Friday 23 June 2017

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee


Our June Blether will be on Tuesday 27th June 2017 at 7pm in Madigan's Food Emporium and Bookshop, Castle Street.

The theme this month is "Flowers.”

Hope to see some of you there – all welcome!

Thursday 22 June 2017

Getting things done - Richmond Terrace #dundeewestend

At the request of residents, I raised with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership the condition of the road surface in Richmond Terrace.

I have now received the following response :

"A number of potholes in Richmond Terrace have been repaired within the last few days. 

Richmond Terrace is provisionally included in the 2021-2022 Carriageway Programme. 

In the meantime it will continue to be inspected on a regular basis and any actionable defects noted will be repaired to ensure safety is maintained."

I am anxious to see resurfacing earlier than this and will continue to pursue this.

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Deaf Links - AGM


Tuesday 20 June 2017

Dundee Voluntary Action - new website

Dundee Voluntary Action has launched a new mobile friendly website you can access here.

Here you will find information about DVA’s work and the support services it provides to the third sector in Dundee.

There will soon also be a members’ area and an online system for booking rooms and resources at Number Ten, DVA’s base at 10 Constitution Road.

Monday 19 June 2017

Roseangle temporary closure - 204 bus service

Further to the Temporary Traffic Order for a temporary road closure from tomorrow in Roseangle to properly restore the setted road surface following temporary repairs, I asked the City Council if special arrangements to ensure the 204 bus can run along most of its route [as was done during the last temporary closure] could be undertaken again. 

The Transport Controller in the council's Sustainable Transport Team advised me as follows :

"The same diversion will be in place for this closure as the last.

Travelling towards Ninewells, service 204 will omit Rosenangle, Magdalen Yard Road and Windsor Street.

Travelling towards city centre, service 204 will serve Windsor Street and Magdalen Yard Road by using the Riverside Approach junction to turn, before travelling back up Windsor Street and then east along Perth Road to the city centre. 

This allows passengers to board the 204, travel to the city centre and then stay on the bus to take them to Ninewells. 

Although this increases passengers journey time it means they do not have to walk uphill to Perth Road to catch a bus travelling towards Ninewells."

Sunday 18 June 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD FOR SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2017

Guthrie Street (Horsewater Wynd to Blinshall Street) – closed on Sunday 18 June for BT manhole repair works.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 22 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive for 25 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 5 weeks.

Perth Road (at River Crescent) - temporary traffic lights for up to 4 weeks for sewer remedial works.

Roseangle (Perth Road to Seabraes Court) – closed from Tuesday 20 June for 5 working days for SGN connection works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Saturday 17 June 2017

Temporary Traffic Order - Guthrie Street

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 BT manhole repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Guthrie Street (between Horsewater Wynd and Blinshall Street), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 18 June 2017 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Horsewater Wynd / Hawkhill / Brown Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433082.

Executive Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

Friday 16 June 2017

Botanica Mathematica workshop

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

Workshop – Sunday 18 June - 2pm to 4.30pm

Come and make your own Binary Bonsai with Botanica Mathematica artist Madeleine Shepherd. Take it home or contribute it to the growing woolly herbarium that is on display in the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum.  

Madeleine will give a short introduction to the project and the ideas behind its creation and then we'll have fun with fibre generating trees and flowers by applying some simple rules.  

Yarn and some tools will be provided by Dundee’s own independent yarn store, Fluph. Please bring your own set of double-pointed needles so if you don't finish your Binary Bonsai at the workshop you'll be able to take it home.

Attendance at the workshop is free but places must be booked in advance here.

Thursday 15 June 2017

Temporary Traffic Order - Roseangle

From the City Council (this second closure is to properly restore the setted road surface which has a temporary repair after work last month) :

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 SGN service connection works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Roseangle (between Perth Road and Seabraes Court), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 20 June 2017 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Perth Road / Windsor Street / Magdalen Yard Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

Wednesday 14 June 2017

Tuesday 13 June 2017

West End Community Council Update #dundeewestend

I have today launched my June 2017 Update to West End Community Council.    

Subjects covered include:

•         Smell issues - Riverside
•         Ninewells Village – paths repairs

The Community Council meets tonight at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall at 7pm - all residents welcome.      You can download my Update here.

Monday 12 June 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 12 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 23 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 6 weeks.

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive from Monday 12 June for 26 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

Perth Road (at River Crescent) - temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 14 June for 4 weeks for sewer remedial works.

Guthrie Street (Horsewater Wynd to Blinshall Street) – closed on Sunday 18 June for BT manhole repair works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Roseangle (Perth Road to Seabraes Court) – closed from Tuesday 20 June for 5 working days for SGN connection works.

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Sunday 11 June 2017

Police Community Surgeries in the West End #dundeewestend

The next West End Police Surgery takes place at Blackness Library tomorrow - details below :

Saturday 10 June 2017

Temporary Traffic Order - A85 Riverside Drive

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 traffic management to allow works to sea wall.  The Order is expected to be in force for twenty six weeks from 12 June 2017.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in A85 Riverside Drive for (1) a prohibition of right turn from westbound lane into Riverside Approach and Barnetts garage and (2) prohibition of right turn from eastbound lane at Riverside Approach onto westbound lane.

Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

An alternative route will be available via (1) Riverside Drive and Riverside Avenue roundabout and (2) Riverside Drive and Tesco roundabout.

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS or phone 433082.

Friday 9 June 2017

West End Community Council next Tuesday - agenda #dundeewestend

WEST  END  COMMUNITY  COUNCIL  MEETING
TUESDAY  13TH  JUNE  2017  AT  7.00PM
LOGIE   AND  ST JOHN`S (CROSS)  PARISH  CHURCH  HALL
(ENTER  FROM  SHAFTESBURY  TERRACE  -  OFF  BLACKNESS  AVENUE)

1. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES


2. SPEAKER FROM XPLORE DUNDEE (TO BE CONFIRMED)


3. POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE


4. MINUTE OF MEETING 9TH MAY AND  MATTERS  ARISING 


5. WECC HIT LIST


6. PLANNING  UPDATE


7. CORRESPONDENCE


8. OTHER MEETINGS ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF WECC


9. AOCB – MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INPUT


10. DATE  OF  NEXT  MEETING – Tuesday 12th September  2017

Thursday 8 June 2017

Sunday Band Concerts 2017 #dundeewestend #dundee

The Sunday Band Concerts on Magdalen Green start (for 2017) on Sunday coming - 11th June.  

A poster covering all band concerts across the city this summer is below :

Wednesday 7 June 2017

Volunteers' Week - event at Blackness Library today! #dundeewestend

Volunteers' Week 2017 - drop in event at Blackness Library later today :

Tuesday 6 June 2017

Police Community Surgeries in the West End #dundeewestend

The next West End Police Surgery takes place at the Mitchell Street Centre today - details below :

Monday 5 June 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 5 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 24 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 7 weeks.

Traill Street – closed from Monday 5 June for 2 weeks for carriageway repair works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive from Monday 12 June for 26 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Saturday 3 June 2017

Getting things done - Ninewells Village

I have received residents' complaints about the deteriorated state of the paths network within the Ninewells Village residential area within the hospital grounds.

In particular, the paths running up Lister Court are in poor shape - see right :

I raised this with Netlatch (who have responsibility for maintenance within the Ninewells Village grounds) seeking improvements and I am grateful for their prompt response confirming this will be done.

Friday 2 June 2017

Getting things done - Tullideph Street

I highlighted at the latest meeting of Community Spirit Action Group residents’ complaints about a bad pothole in Tullideph Street along from the Tullideph Road junction.   I had reported this to the City Council.

The council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership has now advised me that :

An order has … been raised for the repair of a pothole on Tullideph Street approaching the Tullideph Road junction with a timescale for repair of approximately twenty eight days. There is currently a slight backlog with pothole repairs however additional resources have been allocated to address this.”

Thursday 1 June 2017

Botanica Mathematica

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

Botanica Mathematica
D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum
2nd - 30th June, Fridays 2 - 4.30pm

The D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum at the University of Dundee re-opens to the public for the summer season on 2 June and will be open every Friday 2-4.30pm until 1 September. Throughout June there will be a special addition to the displays – an exhibition of knitted artworks inspired by mathematical biology.

Botanica Mathematica is a textile taxonomy of mathematically inspired plant forms. Its creators, Julia Collins and Madeleine Shepherd, have combined ideas from D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form, computer science, fractals and hyperbolic geometry. The specimen collection consists mainly of crowd-sourced contributions of Binary Bonsai trees. 

Generative instructions and algorithmic knitting patterns are the genetic code of these creations; textile techniques are their metabolism. These patterns were released into the wild to evolve and change as makers around the world interpreted them. 

The elegant structures, rich textures and fascinating patterns that arise have been collected and classified, with the aid of taxonomist Jo Macrae, as if they were specimens in a botanical herbarium. 

The exhibition features Binary Bonsai, Fibonacci Flowers and Hyperbolic Chanterelles displayed throughout the museum. 

Madeleine Shepherd will be in the museum on 2 June to meet visitors and discuss her work. You can also find out more on her website here.