Friday 31 December 2021

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."

Thursday 30 December 2021

Bus services changes affecting West End from 3rd January #dundeewestend


Xplore Dundee is making several changes to bus services from next Monday, 3rd January.

+ I am very pleased at the launch of a new Service 6 linking Ninewells with Menzieshill, Elmwood Road, Tullideph Road, Pentland Avenue, Blackness Road and the city centre.  This will operate hourly and is good news as it assists with provision of services around Ancrum Road and Tullideph Road, something I have been campaigning for since the Service 17 was re-routed right along City Road.

+ The Service 9/10 (Outer Circle) is renumbering as Service 10 - a service linking communities to the north of the city.  Service 5 and 10 will interlink to provide a full circular service across Dundee. 

+ There will be some slight timetable adjustments to Service 28 (between 8am and 6pm) to improve punctuality.   Also. the new 'Electric Emerald' buses to go into service on the Service 28 route, Dundee's first zero-emission buses.    I am pictured at the launch event for the Electric Emerald buses which will assist tackle the air quality issues on Lochee Road.

Full details of all the changes are available at www.xploredundee.com/2022Changes

Wednesday 29 December 2021

Getting things done - Ninewells Avenue/Perth Road #dundeewestend


Residents have contacted me expressing concern at the speed with which some vehicles approach the roundabout at the bottom of Ninewells Avenue that links the street to Perth Road.    Several have suggested that additional SLOW markings should be added at approaches to the roundabout.

I highlighted this to the City Council and the Traffic and Road Safety Team Leader has responded helpfully as follows :

"I will get one of my colleagues to have a look on site at this roundabout and see if installing a couple of SLOW markings down is appropriate.

SLOW markings can be used to warn drivers of a potential hazard and where speeds need to be moderated. We just need to make sure that there is not an over proliferation of them as they lose their effectiveness as drivers would start to ignore them."

Tuesday 28 December 2021

Getting things done - South Tay Street #dundeewestend


Residents will have noticed that there were three street lights at the north end of South Tay Street have not been working, making that end of the street very dark. There was also a light out in the nearby council car park.

I have had several complaints about this and reported this to the Street Lighting Partnership Manager.

I have since had this update :

"We are aware of these lights but unfortunately, we are having issues sourcing components to repair them.

As we have been unable to source replacement parts for the lights, we have removed them and replaced them with some temporary fittings to at least keep the area lit."

Monday 27 December 2021

Getting things done - Cambridge Street #dundeewestend


Many thanks to the residents who recently contacted me about the street sign in Cambridge Street at the Oxford Street end - it is broken and half of it is missing.

I have therefore asked the roads maintenance partnership to replace it.

Sunday 26 December 2021

Have an enjoyable Boxing Day!

 

Saturday 25 December 2021

Friday 24 December 2021

Recycling and trade waste collections over the festive season


Dundee household bin, recycling and trade waste collections will be unaffected and remain as normal this festive period.

See the full information about the festive waste and recycling arrangements, including the recycling centres, go to www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/environment/festive-arrangements

Thursday 23 December 2021

Getting things done - Mid Wynd #dundeewestend


Residents have contacted me about the terrible mess of bird droppings on the pavement and handrail on the left side of Mid Wynd.

I asked the council to power wash this but also asked the landlord of the adjacent Ryehill flats to add measures to the building roof edge to stop pigeons perching at the roof edge.

Wednesday 22 December 2021

Food assistance over the Festive Season


Faith in the Community Dundee has compiled a very helpful list of available food provision over the festive season, which you can read at :

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DiOEIADwE8DqmGjeRmz4NEmDneYsO9_N/edit

Tuesday 21 December 2021

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.

Monday 20 December 2021

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend


DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEKS COMMENCING MONDAY 20 DECEMBER 2021 TO 7 JANUARY 2022

Strawberrybank – closed at Perth Road (for a distance of 40metres) for one week for chimney repairs.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (between Riverside Crescent and Riverside Place) - rolling 2 way temporary traffic lights from Monday 10 January for 5 days for City Fibre works.

Perth Road – westbound lane closure (off-peak) between Blackness Avenue and Windsor Street from Monday 24 January for 10 days for Road Safety works.

Sunday 19 December 2021

Call for action on West End parking charges given "work from home" instruction


I have today strongly criticised Dundee City Council’s lack of action to suspend parking charges in residential areas of the West End, despite the First Minister’s instruction - as a result of the latest COVID situation and the Omicron variant – to work from home if possible.

On behalf of residents, I contacted the City Council to suggest that the council suspend car parking charges while the new “work from home” instruction was in force. However the response from the council’s Head of Sustainable Transport and Roads indicated :

“I can confirm that the Council is not planning to suspend parking charges at this time.”

I am very critical of the council’s inaction on this which flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s instruction to work from home given the latest turn of events on COVID.

The council is placing a disincentive to working from home – something that is not, in my view, a responsible approach.

The West End is unique in the city in having the only Dundee car parks in residential areas with parking charges but without any form of residents’ parking scheme, due to the failure of the administration to make progress on the issue.

We now have a situation where people are being expected to work from home but the council is putting a clear disincentive by taxing residents for doing so.

Because the council will not act to suspend car parking charges, I am taking the bull by the horns and have placed an item on the next City Development Committee which, if successful, would suspend the parking charges meantime.

I would much rather the council had acted responsibly and suspended the car parking charges straight away. Even if I am successful at City Development Committee in getting the charges suspended, committee will not meet until into January, so this is unnecessarily delayed.

Friday 17 December 2021

Good news on St Joseph’s and Victoria Park primaries school crossing patroller #dundeewestend


Residents will recall my update in September expressing concern about the proposal to decommission the school crossing patroller point in City Road at Milnbank Gardens – something I, parents and carers felt would be seriously detrimental to the Victoria Park PS and St Joseph’s RC PS pupils crossing here and completely unacceptable.

I had made clear to the City Council my strong objection to any such proposal and I am pleased to say that this - and the objections of parents and carers - has led to a rethink and it has been agreed to pause the process until the end of May 2022 and seek a replacement school crossing patroller meantime.

It is not necessarily a permanent reprieve but helpful meantime.

I will continue to oppose any moves to remove this school crossing patroller in the future should the matter be revisited.

The Head Teachers are today issuing a letter to parents and carers as follows :

“Decommission School Crossing patroller point – City Road at Milnbank Gardens

I refer to my letter dated 10 November regarding the above subject. Children and Families Service has now completed the consultation stage of the proposal to decommission the above point. There has been one response received from a parent/ carer of pupils attending West End Campus Primary Schools in regards to decommissioning this point. After due consideration it was concluded that although this point has not met the ROSPA/Road Safety GB criteria both in May 2021 and September 2021 we shall put on hold the decommissioning process at this stage.

It should be noted the feedback from the parent commented that the current position of the school crossing patroller point is not situated where the parents /children are crossing. Tayside Contracts has carried out a risk assessment of City Road and have situated the school crossing patroller at an appropriate point on the road which is a safe location. The position that parents wish the point to be situated is at the end of Scott Street which has been risk assessed as not suitable.

The point is currently vacant, Tayside Contracts will attempt to populate the point on a temporary basis from January until the end of May 2022. If at this stage the point is assessed and meets the criteria Tayside  
Contracts will appoint a permanent school crossing patroller, if the point does not meet the criteria for a third time then we will commence the decommission process again.

When the post has been repopulated we would encourage parents and young people to use the school crossing point to ensure that the point meets the criteria when it is reassessed. Children and Families and Tayside Contracts Officers will work with members of the parent council to support this process.”

The school crossing patroller post is presently vacant and please see the image advertising the vacancy.

Thursday 16 December 2021

Getting things done - Hillside Drive #dundeewestend


Residents recently contacted me to say that there is no longer any 'no through road' signage at the cul de sac at the north end of Hillside Drive.

I raised this with the roads maintenance partnership and have received the following helpful response :

"Bailie Macpherson - We have had a look at the complaint. We agree and have put in an order for new sign and pole."

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Getting things done - Roseangle #dundeewestend


Residents contacted me to advise that the security fencing in front of the empty property at 2 Roseangle had moved and was blocking much of the pavement.

I contacted the City Council about this and am grateful to the Buildings Safety team who have put the fencing back in place.

Tuesday 14 December 2021

Monday 13 December 2021

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend


DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 13 DECEMBER 2021

Strawberrybank – closed at Perth Road (for a distance of 40 metres) for 4 weeks for chimney repairs.

Greenmarket – temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 December for BT work.

Sunday 12 December 2021

Getting things done - Menzieshill Road #dundeewestend


A bit of a tale here ...

Some years ago, in two tranches, the long stretch of unadopted and very poor conditioned pavements in Menzieshill Road were upgraded and adopted by the City Council.    I had asked for the street to be added to the unadopted footpaths list, so was pleased at the much better pavements that resulted from this.

However, a section of the footpath on the south side, just west of the junction with Whitefauld Road, was left untouched (and in a poor state).    I queried this on behalf of residents and was advised that it could not be improved under the unadopted footpaths programme as the pavement there had already been adopted by the council.   That did not alter the fact that the pavement there was in a poor state of repair.

I therefore asked that the council add this to the list of adopted pavements to be resurfaced and, after a few reminders about its poor state, was given a promise it would be done this financial year.

... and the pavement improvement has now taken place!      Many thanks to the Roads Maintenance Partnership for a quality result.

Saturday 11 December 2021

Final day of West End Christmas Fortnight 2021! #dundeewestend


Today sees the final day of West End Christmas Fortnight 2021!    

Here's the events today :

12 noon to 4pm – Community Wardrobe – Gate Church – Free clothes/shoes/accessories for everyone. Please book at www.gatechurch.co.uk/carbonprojectevents or call Dundee 221222. 

12.30pm – The West End Christmas Fortnight Primary 6 football competition at Harris Academy.  With thanks to the schools for all their help with this.   P6 teams participating from our local primary schools.   Unfortunately spectators are not possible this year due to COVID-related safety measures.

2pm to 4.30pm - D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum Open Day - Carnelley Building, off Park Place, University of Dundee.    A chance to see D’Arcy’s amazing collection of animals from around the world, as well as the new exhibition The Nature of Empire.   Details and booking at www.tiny.cc/DArcy-Thompson

6.30pm start – Santa Cavalcade round the West End – Dundee Round Table.  Santa will visit the children of the West End!   His sleigh will leave the Clovis Duveau Drive area at 6.30pm and travel round Glamis Road, Blackness Road, Elliot Road, Pentland Crescent, Forest Park Road and Magdalen Yard Road areas.  The Round Table’s Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/DundeeRoundTable 

Friday 10 December 2021

Getting things done - Pentland - an update #dundeewestend


Residents will recall that some weeks ago, I mentioned I had reported to the City Council the path from Saggar Street running along Pentland Crescent towards Pentland Avenue which had the foliage from a rather overgrown tree causing an obstruction.

I have since been given this helpful update from the council's Neighbourhood Services :

"In short we have imminent plans to crown lift this Weeping Willow tree and one or two other Weeping Willow trees in the same area. 

To prune this tree properly we require to use a platform which has been arranged."

Wednesday 8 December 2021

Barnardos online volunteering event

Barnardos is hosting an online event tomorrow about volunteering opportunities - details below :


Tuesday 7 December 2021

West End Christmas Concert tonight - don't miss it! #dundeewestend


The West End Christmas Concert and Community and Business Awards - featuring our local schools, community organisations, West End businesses and churches takes place tonight at 6.30pm.

You can view this online on the Christmas Fortnight Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestEndChristmas

Many thanks to all who have taken part and a particular thanks to Rev Dr Jim Connolly, David Milne, Felicity Wright, Rick Curran, Greig Thomson and Scott Gordon, all of whom have been instrumental in making the concert and awards a reality!

Monday 6 December 2021

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend


DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 DECEMBER 2021

Strawberrybank – closed at Perth Road (for a distance of 40metres) for 4 weeks for chimney repairs.

Tay Square – closed on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 December for Virgin Media work.

Glamis Drive - road closure at Invergowrie Drive on Wednesday 8 December for one day for City Fibre works.

Sunday 5 December 2021

A Community Christmas - later today! #dundeewestend


“A Community Christmas” is taking place later today in the Miller’s Wynd Car Park as part of West End Christmas Fortnight!   

Many thanks to the Gate Church for organising this.

More details are available here and all welcome!

Saturday 4 December 2021

The Marvellous Menagerie of Alex Heywood


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

Our new exhibition in the Tower Foyer Gallery features digital prints by the artist Alex Heywood.

Alex studied Animation at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, graduating in 2017.

He has since attracted international attention for his unique digital artworks, featuring an extraordinary menagerie of curious yet familiar animals.

Each of his illustrations creates an imaginary world teeming with quirky details. The exhibition features a selection of his work alongside some unusual animals from the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum. 

It will be open Monday to Friday 9.30am-7pm until Friday 17th December.

Booking is not essential but is encouraged – see booking details here.

Friday 3 December 2021

Getting things done - Eton Street/Oxford Street/Elliot Road #dundeewestend


Residents have drawn to my attention the rusted goalposts at the Eton Street/Oxford Street/Elliot Road playing field area.

I have asked environment management at the City Council to repaint them.

Thursday 2 December 2021

West End Christmas Market and Lights Switch On tonight! #dundeewestend

Not to be missed!   4pm-8pm the West End Christmas Market at the Miller's Wynd Car Park on Perth Road, as part of West End Christmas Fortnight.

Many thanks go to The Little Green Larder and Gate Church Carbon Saving Project for organising the market and don't miss Santa switching on the Christmas Lights at 7pm tonight during the market!


Wednesday 1 December 2021

Friends of Wighton event today!


From Sheena Wellington :

For our last concert of 2021 Friends of Wighton can’t provide the usual mince pies and chocolates but we are offering a very special pre-Christmas Zoom treat.

Our guests are the award-winning traditional singer Shona Donaldson and the far-famed Tarland fiddler Paul Anderson MBE (pictured).

Shona Donaldson grew up in Huntly in a musical family, learning the fiddle and attending traditional music festivals including Strichen and Keith. As well as picking up the usual song repertoire, Shona also learned from bothy ballad singers like Jock Duncan and Geordie Murison. Soon, to the delight of her mentors she was winning prizes in the normally male--dominated bothy ballad world.

In 2015, Shona became the first woman to win the coveted Bothy Ballad Champion of Champions title to add to her 2009 Scots Singer of the Year award. She is also an accomplished songwriter.

Paul Anderson MBE is widely regarded as the finest fiddle player of his generation. Having found, at age five, an old French violin under the spare bed in his grandparents’ house, he has gone on from there to win all the major fiddle prizes including the Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Championship.

Paul has toured extensively here and abroad and is also well-known as a composer with over 300 works including many for film, television and theatre. His 8 solo albums and over 40 album with other musicians have received international acclaim.

Since lockdown began the couple, who recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary, have produced 86 “Live from the Lounge” shows from the Tarland home they share with sons Hector and Roderick. These can be checked out on Paul’s Facebook page.

Sheena Wellington is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Lunchtime Recital with Shona Donaldson, traditional singer, and Paul Anderson MBE, fiddle

Wednesday 1st December 1.15pm – 1.45pm (Zoom available from 1pm)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 818 6713 9033
Passcode: 057619