Michael's weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael's surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt - West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt - Harris Academy reception area

All welcome - no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Perth Road and West Port #dundeewestend

Residents have mentioned to us that the telephone boxes in Perth Road (at the Miller’s Wynd car park - this one is pictured) and in the West Port need flyposting and graffiti removed and a proper clean.

We therefore wrote to BT requesting that this be carried out.

Fraser's weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser's weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt - Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt - Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome - no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 28 AUGUST 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Greenmarket – closed for electricity works at its junction with West Marketgait (northbound exit lane only) from Monday 21 August until Tuesday 29 August.

Seafield Road, Dundee. Closed from its westmost end (in cul de sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development. Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Rockfield Crescent – closed between Hyndford Street and Marchfield Road for carriageway resurfacing commencing 4 September for 5 days.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September - South Union Street to Riverside east roundabout (eastbound closure only). Monday 18 September to Tuesday 19 September (9.15am to 3.00pm) fast lane closure – eastbound and westbound (off-peak) at Premier Inn/Train Station – to be removed outwith these times.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1A: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September at slip roads on Riverside Avenue at Apollo Way and Perth Road.

Riverside Drive – Phase 2 - overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Tuesday 19 September to Tuesday 26 September at Riverside Approach to Riverside Pavilion.

Riverside Drive – Phase 3: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Friday 29 September – Riverside East roundabout to Tesco Riverside roundabout.

Sycamore Place – closed for carriageway resurfacing commencing Monday 25 September for 5 days.

Getting things done - Perth Road #dundeewestend

Fraser is pictured on the north side of Perth Road at a blocked street drain.

In recent weeks, we have had numerous complaints about blocked drains in the stretch of Perth Road between Harris Academy and Glamis Road.

We therefore reported this to the Roads Maintenance Partnership to get them all cleared.

Getting things done - Balgay Cemetery #dundeewestend

We recently received a complaint about this hugely amateurish way of highlighting no parking in front of the Balgay Cemetery store and office.

We therefore asked environment management at the council to clean this mess off and put up professional 'no parking' signage.

Harris Academy FPs' lunch #dundeewestend

The Harris Academy Former Pupils' Association is holding a lunch on Monday 4th September at noon.

All FPs welcome - please contact Freida Soutar on Dundee 562788 or e-mail freida.s67@gmail.com by 5pm on Wednesday 30th August if you wish to attend.

Michael's weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael's surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt - West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt - Harris Academy reception area

All welcome - no appointment necessary!

Riverside Pavilion - possible community uses #dundeewestend

From West End Community Council :

Fraser's weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser's weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt - Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt - Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome - no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 21 AUGUST 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Greenmarket – closed for electricity works at its junction with West Marketgait (northbound exit lane only) from Monday 21 August for one week.

Seafield Road, Dundee. Closed from its westmost end (in cul de sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development. Commencing Tuesday 22 August for 15 months.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Drive – Phase 1: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September - South Union Street to Riverside east roundabout (eastbound closure only). Monday 18 September to Tuesday 19 September (9.15am to 3.00pm) fast lane closure – eastbound and westbound (off-peak) at Premier Inn/Train Station – to be removed outwith these times.

Riverside Drive – Phase 1A: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 17 September to Tuesday 19 September at slip roads on Riverside Avenue at Apollo Way and Perth Road.

Riverside Drive – Phase 2 - overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Tuesday 19 September to Tuesday 26 September at Riverside Approach to Riverside Pavilion.

Riverside Drive – Phase 3: overnight road closure for carriageway resurfacing (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Sunday 24 September to Friday 29 September – Riverside East roundabout to Tesco Riverside roundabout.

Balgay Bowling Club Gala Day #dundeewestend

The Balgay Bowling Club Gala Day takes place next Saturday - 26th August - and Fraser has kindly been asked to do the official opening at 12 noon.

It is on until 4pm and all residents welcome!

Carers of Dundee

In early 2016, work began on a campaign which was intended to raise awareness of carers in Dundee. Funding for this came through The Carers Partnership and the planning group for the campaign consisted of staff from local statutory and voluntary agencies and carers of various ages. This work was led by Dundee Carers Centre.

Dundee Carers Centre is based at 134 Seagate and runs a large programme for carers in Dundee - support, events, courses and activities to support carers in their caring role.

Activities take place right across the city, including our own area, and you can see details of upcoming events at www.carersofdundee.org/events

Dundee Food Train - volunteers wanted!

Dundee Food Train is an excellent grocery shopping, befriending and household support service for older people assisting and enabling them to live at home independently for as long as they are able.

It is currently looking for more volunteers to join its shopping delivery service.

If you have a couple of spare hours during the week and would like to help out, drop the Food Train an email at dundee@thefoodtrain.co.uk

Michael's weekly ward surgeries #dundeewestend

Michael's surgeries start again today after the school holidays and are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt - West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt - Harris Academy reception area

All welcome - no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Last summer, the pavement between Elliot Road and Kelso Steps on the north side of Blackness Road was resurfaced.

At that time, residents asked if the remainder of the footpaths in that vicinity would also be resurfaced within a reasonable timescale and we were given assurances at that time that further improvements were planned.

We therefore recently asked the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership for an update and have received the following helpful response :

"The second phase of the footpath works is indeed still planned for this summer.   We only started the Slurry Works a few weeks ago due to other works taking priority.   It is still in the programme for this year."

Fraser's weekly ward surgeries #dundeewestend

With the start of the new school year, our surgeries return this week.

Fraser's weekly ward surgeries commence today and take place during school term time. 

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt - Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt - Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome - no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 14 AUGUST 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Greenmarket – closed for electricity works at its junction with West Marketgait (northbound exit lane only) commencing Monday 14 August for 2 weeks.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Seafield Road, Dundee. Closed from its westmost end (in cul de sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development. Commencing Tuesday 22 August for 15 months.

Balgay Hill upkeep update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, a few weeks ago, Fraser had a site visit around Greater Balgay with two senior environment managers from the City Council and the Chair of West End Community Council to look at issues needing attended to.

We have since also had further concerns about the planet trail where much of the greenery needed trimmed back (see photos) and we have received an assurance this will be attended to.

We have also received concerns about the overgrowth from Balgay Hill northwards towards Ancrum Drive and we also raised this with the council.

The Greenspace Team Leader (Environment) at Dundee City Council has since advised us :

"As you will be aware the ownership of the area identified is split - some is not in the Council’s ownership. However the area where the fencing / tree planting works have been carried out, does belong to Dundee City Council.

The access on this part of Balgay Hill is not part of the formal path infrastructure and as such has not been maintained by us. The weather conditions recently with warm temperatures and frequent rain showers has encouraged lush growth of the grasses and other plants resulting in overhanging vegetation.

In the communication sent to residents before the tree planting works commenced, it was intimated that council officers would investigate the formalisation of some of the informal paths. This very much depends on the identification of additional resources for both path creation and management."

We have made it clear that better management and path creation should indeed be carried out and will continue to pursue this with the council.

Money Map from Citizens Advice Scotland

Citizens Advice Scotland has an excellent online money map to give people support to :

+ Assist you to increase your income

+ Help you to reduce your bills

+ Ease the costs of daily living

You can access this at www.moneymap.scot

Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau can also help people locally. It can be contacted on Dundee 214633 – Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.    Phone lines are closed for lunch between 1pm and 2pm.

It can also be contacted by email at bureau@dundeecab.casonline.org.uk

Dundee Independent Advocacy Support

Dundee Independent Advocacy Support (DIAS) provides independent advocacy for citizens within the Dundee area who experience disadvantage, disability and social exclusion to champion their rights, to strengthen their voices and to influence a citizens’ health and wellbeing outcomes.

It has helped thousands people in the Dundee area use their voice to make decisions about their lives and wellbeing, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.

If you want further information about DIAS's service, call Dundee 205515, e-mail admin@diasdundee.org or you can find out more information at www.diasdundee.org

Temporary Traffic Order - Greenmarket

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 the installation of electricity supply to a new development. The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 14 August 2023. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in in the left turn lane at the exit from Greenmarket onto West Marketgait (northbound).

This is a single lane closure prohibiting a left turn movement. This Order also includes the closure of the West Marketgait footway (west side only) between Greenmarket and Nethergate. Pedestrians are diverted to the controlled crossing points adjacent to the works.

An alternative route will be available via South Marketgait, South Union Street, Riverside Drive (westbound to Tesco roundabout), return Riverside Drive (eastbound from Tesco roundabout), South Union Street and West Marketgait (northbound).

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

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Some time ago we were promised by the City Council some signage around 'cyclists to be respectful of pedestrians/use your bell' along the river front at Riverside Drive, but that appears not to have materialised.

We took this up with the council's Active Travel Project Officer who has helpfully advised as follows :

"Thank you for passing on the comments ... about issues on the shared path at this location.

We will instruct Tayside Contracts to manufacture and install signage as shown below at this location and will let you know when this work is scheduled."

Ninewells Hospital - swimming pool #dundeewestend

Until the COVID pandemic arrived, Ninewells Hospital operated a swimming pool for patients, staff and public use.

It has never reopened since the pandemic period, which seems a waste of a facility.

We contacted NHS Tayside asking if re-opening it was a possibility and received this rather disappointing response from the NHS Tayside Head of Soft Facilities :

"A full assessment of this facility has identified that there is an extensive amount of investment required to bring this pool up to current health and safety standards.

NHS Tayside continues to prioritise capital investment informed by an assessment of the risks. The core capital formula allocation 2023/24 will be utilised to address key priorities including backlog maintenance and statutory compliance, and essential medical and non-medical equipment replacement.

I will continue to evaluate the financial implications of carrying out the extensive works required for the pool, in comparison to other maintenance needs for patient facilities. This must be done before any consideration will be made regarding the reopening of the pool.

The continuous evolving priorities in relation to supporting patient care and the current financial climate means that I am not in a position to confirm any potential investment for Ninewells Swimming Pool."

During a recent visit to NHS Tayside, Fraser was shown round the swimming pool and changing rooms.   There is no doubt that the point made above about extensive work is correct, but we would hope that, in time, a positive use can be found for the facility.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT THE WEST END WARD - REPORT FOR WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 7 AUGUST 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Greenmarket – temporary traffic lights on Monday 7 August for telecoms mast maintenance.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Greenmarket – closed for electricity works at its junction with West Marketgait (northbound exit lane only) commencing Monday 14 August for 2 weeks.

Free activities at Ninewells Community Garden #dundeewestend

Wednesday and Thursday sessions at Ninewells Community Garden.

Fun, free and suitable for all abilities - no booking is needed and all welcome!

Still Moving – Capturing Motion in Art and Science #dundeewestend

From the Curator of Museum Services, University of Dundee :

Our new exhibition in the Tower Foyer Gallery is now open.

'Still Moving – Capturing Motion in Art and Science' will be on display until 30th September and is open Monday to Saturday.

The world is constantly in motion around us. One of the challenges for both artists and scientists is how to capture movement in order to understand and express it, whether through still images or sets of data.

This exhibition explores some of the ways that motion has been captured in time both in art and science. All of the objects and artworks on display are drawn from the University of Dundee’s Museum Collections. We guarantee a moving experience!

Further details can be found at www.dundee.ac.uk/events/still-moving-capturing-motion-art-science  

Save the 204 and sheltered shopping bus services

At this year’s council budget, SNP council administration forced through cuts to council-supported bus services which will sadly mean that the 204 service across parts of the West End will be axed next year along with other services including the sheltered housing shopping bus service.

The 204 - although it sadly does not serve some of its original area around Newhall Gardens, Invergowrie Drive and Glamis Drive - remains a vital service for residents in the Magdalen Yard Road/Windsor Street area and also in Scott Street and Tullideph Road – all streets that lack main bus services.

The sheltered shopping bus service runs services on Tuesdays for folk at Tullideph, Logie and Pine Court and on Thursdays for folk in Corso/Abbotsford, Pennycook Court, Muirlands and Paton’s Lane – taking shoppers to Tesco Riverside to shop and back afterwards. In addition, the “Out and About” service that takes older folk on day trips will also see its funding withdrawn.

We strongly opposed the bus services cuts that will impact especially on older residents.

In the totality of the council budget, the savings from these cuts are minor and alternative savings could have been found. Taking away these services is indefensible. We will continue to campaign to save them before the axe falls in April 2024.

City Road Allotments Open Day - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Getting things done - Benvie Road #dundeewestend

Residents contacted us about the very worn white junction lining at two junctions in Benvie Road - at Fyffe Street and Mitchell Street.

We took this matter up with the Roads Maintenance Partnership along with the need for resurfacing at both junctions.

Refreshed white lining is now promised although we have been advised there’s not enough funding for resurfacing at present.

There is definitely a need for greater capital funding for roads and will continue to campaign for this.

West End ward surgeries #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that, as its the school summer holidays, Fraser's ward surgeries at Ancrum Road Primary School and Blackness Library do not take place today, nor do Michael's this Thursday at the West End Campus and Harris Academy.

Surgeries return after the holidays, but we can be contacted at any time at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk