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!

West End Community and Business Awards night #dundeewestend

As part of West End Christmas Fortnight, tomorrow - Thursday 30th November - sees the West End Community and Business Awards night taking place.

It takes place at The Vine in Magdalen Yard Road.

Guest speaker is Dr Erin Farley of Dundee Libraries who will speak about the Wellgate Project.

Call Dundee 459378 for more information.

All welcome!

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 27 NOVEMBER 2023

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

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.

Lochee Road – give and take for one week from 20 November for street lighting works.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for 2 weeks commencing Monday 20 November for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure for 7 weeks for sewer diversion work.

Greenmarket – rolling lane closure, mini contraflow and temporary traffic lights from Monday 27 November for one week for BT work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Seafield Lane (Thomson Street to No 21 Seafield Lane) – closed from Monday 4 December for 7 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

West End Christmas Fortnight - window spotting competition #dundeewestend

As part of West End Christmas Fortnight, there's a children's window spotting competition with great prizes.

Entry forms like the one below have been distributed through our local primary and nursery schools and you can also pick up an entry form at Blackness Library.

West End Christmas afternoon concert today! #dundeewestend

2pm to 3.45pm today sees the West End Christmas Afternoon Concert take place at Logie & St John’s (Cross) Church Hall, Shaftesbury Terrace.

Featuring the Harris Education and Recreation Association Choir, Dundee Youth Orchestra and Louisiana Fairytale Riverboat Jazz Band.

All welcome and no booking required. Completely free of charge and includes complimentary tea and coffee.

Other West End Christmas Fortnight events today include :

10am to 10.45am - Spex Pistols Christmas Family Workshops at Gallery 48, West Port - Handmade decorations with Cara Findlay and Sooz Gordon. Using some recycled and simple everyday items, your workshop hosts will show you how to create beautiful festive decorations. All welcome but booking essential – Spex Pistols can be contacted on Dundee 529377. Second session available from 11.15am to 12 noon.

10am to 12 noon - Blackness Primary School Christmas Fair – from Friends of Blackness. Many stalls as always and fun for all the family. All welcome.

11am to 4pm - Discovery Point Christmas Fayre - Many stalls and choir performances – also runs on Sunday 26th. More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/371919895182692

11am to 5.30pm - CRAFTED Festive Market at DCA – Dundee Contemporary Arts’ festive craft and design market. Also runs on Sunday 26th. More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/691757429500254

11.30am to 1.30pm – Just Bee’s Charity Soup and Pudding Lunch – with various stalls - Meadowside St Paul’s Church Halls, 114-116 Nethergate (side entrance).

2pm to 3pm – Tower Galleries Exhibition Tour – University of Dundee museum curator Matthew Jarron will give a guided tour of the Tower Foyer and Lamb Galleries. No booking required.

Getting things done - Ancrum Road and Ancrum Drive #dundeewestend

We recently had concerns from residents about the continual flooding at the Ancrum Drive/Ancrum Road junction.     This is right across the road from Ancrum Road Primary School and therefore pedestrian including pupil use is significant.

We reported this to the Roads Maintenance Partnership to request the road drains are cleared and also asked environment management to remove fallen leaves at this location.

Christmas market, schools' concert and lights switch on the West End today! #dundeewestend

Today sees the start of this year's West End Christmas Fortnight!

Events include :

4pm to 8pm - CHRISTMAS FORTNIGHT HIGHLIGHT! – West End Christmas Market at the Miller’s Wynd car park and community fridge in Perth Road. Join us to browse Christmas gifts and we'll also have some hot food and drink stalls and music and entertainment for you to enjoy. We will be having a lights switch-on at 7pm. There’s also a visit from Santa and Dundee United’s mascot Terry the Terror, who will be distributing Christmas goody bags to the children and the fantastic Duende Voices community choir will be singing. Many thanks to Scotmid for sponsoring the goody bags. Any left over after this event will thereafter be available at the Community Fridge.

6pm to 6.50pm - CHRISTMAS FORTNIGHT HIGHLIGHT! – The West End Christmas Concert at Dundee West Church. Featuring our two secondary schools at Harris Academy and St John’s RC High School and four local primary schools – St Joseph’s RC PS, Blackness PS, Ancrum Road PS and Victoria Park PS – along with Cherry Blossom Nursery School. The Notables are also participating and Mains of Fintry Pipe Band will lead everyone to the lights switch on after the concert. Our thanks also to Rev Dr Jim Connolly for hosting the concert.

Shoppers’ night in the West End – many West End shops will have late opening and special offers on tonight!

West End Christmas Fortnight starts tomorrow #dundeewestend

This year’s Dundee West End Christmas Fortnight launches tomorrow – its 23rd year – with a whole host of events taking place, including two Christmas Concerts, a Christmas Market and Lights Switch on in Perth Road, competitions including a West End Primary School Art Competition and a Primary 6 schools football competition - as well as talks, a “Death in the West End” tour and crafts events in West Port and at Blackness Library.

During the Fortnight that runs from tomorrow until Wednesday 6th December, we will hold around lots of different events.

Big thanks go to all the Christmas Committee members, community groups, churches and everyone else who has made this super festive fortnight happen.

All our events are publicised on our Facebook page and there are brochures in local shops, other West End locations such as Blackness Library, sheltered lounges, West End Community Fridge, local churches and it is also distributed via our local schools.

Our Christmas Market, Schools’ Concert and Lights Switch On are on tomorrow - Thursday 23rd November - and all local residents are very welcome at this and our many other events.

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 20 NOVEMBER 2023

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

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.

Riverside Approach – temporary traffic lights until Tuesday 21 November for C‑plan work.

Lochee Road – give and take for one week from 20 November for street lighting works.

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for 2 weeks commencing Monday 20 November for sewer connection to new housing development.

Riverside Avenue (at Swallow roundabout) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) nearside westbound lane closure for 8 weeks for sewer diversion work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Greenmarket – rolling lane closure, mini contraflow and temporary traffic lights from Monday 27 November for one week for BT work.

Seafield Lane (Thomson Street to No 21 Seafield Lane) – closed from Monday 4 December for 7 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Riverside Drive (slip road adjacent to railway station) – closed from 10.00pm on Sunday 24 December to 5.30am on Wednesday 27 December for Network Rail work.

West End Community Council election #dundeewestend

The City Council is keen to encourage nominations of Community Councillors to join the West End Community Council.

The purpose of a community council is to :

+ Act as a voice for local people

+ Actively seek views and concerns in the area

+ Make public bodies aware of local needs and opinions

If you wish to become a Community Councillor, you must have a completed nomination form returned to the Community Council Liaison Officer.

All relevant information on becoming a Community Councillor, a map of the West End Community Council boundary and nomination form can be viewed and downloaded online at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/community-council-elections - alternatively, paper copies can be obtained at Blackness Library.

Deadline for nominations is 1st December 2023.

For more information, please contact Joanne Kelly (Community Council Liaison Officer) on Dundee 438597 or joanne.kelly@dundeecity.gov.uk

Dundee Carers Centre and Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau – Information Session

Dundee Carers Centre and Dundee Citizens' Advice Bureau is holding an information session next Wednesday - 22nd November - at the C-Gate Centre, 134 Seagate.

Lauren from CAB Dundee will be giving a short presentation on the available financial support to unpaid carers and their families and how they can access it. There will be time afterwards for some questions.

There will be refreshments from 12 noon with the session starting at 12.30pm.

To book your place please call Dundee 200422.

Update on Network Rail and Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

Residents contacted us recently regarding a news story in the Courier about possible future infrastructure works that might see Network Rail require, in a worst case scenarios, require up to 207m in length of land within Magdalen Green with a maximum width of 1.3m. This would be to create a new passing loop to “enable an increase in the number of freight paths and passenger services”.

You can read the Courier item from earlier this month at :

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/4800110/magdalen-green-land-take-on-cards-network-rail-boost-central-belt-links

We contacted the City Council planning team to get further information and the Principal Planning Officer has updated us as follows :

"We have been engaged in pre-application discussions with Network Rail as they assemble a programme of enhancement works on the railway line of the Glasgow to Aberdeen route.

Many of the works are likely to be ‘permitted development’, however we anticipate that planning applications may be required for works that involve built heritage or lie outside the land ownership of Network Rail.

This is a large and complex project and the form and content of the works and need for planning permission is still to be determined. To support that process Network Rail has submitted a request for a screening opinion in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment procedures. The purpose of this is to identify any potentially significant environmental impacts.

From this I understand that the worst case scenario is that they may need to widen the rail corridor at Magdalen Green. They have indicated that this may be by up to 1.3 metres over a 200 metre long stretch of the line. They are however hopeful that the need for this can be removed as the design progresses."

We obviously hope that any works will be contained on the existing Network Rail land and not impact on Magdalen Green and that any impact on the Green is 'designed out' when detailed proposals come forward.    However, we have made the point to the council that if any ground is required, it would make more sense to take that from the south side at the playing fields west of Barnetts Motor Group rather than from the Green.    

We have also sought assurances that detailed design work and further consultation on the proposed replacement footbridge proceeds only once the City Council is absolutely sure that these Network Rail proposals would not impact on the footbridge project.

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 – postal deliveries in the Forest Park Road area #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns about late delivery and gaps in delivery of mail in the Forest Park Road area.

We contacted Royal Mail regarding this and have since received the following feedback :

“Thank you for your communication regarding your ward residents’ mail deliveries in the Forest Park Road area of Dundee. Delivering a reliable service is out top priority, and I am very sorry for any concern caused.

I have been in contact with the Customer Operations Manager at Dundee Central Delivery Office. They have confirmed that mail deliveries are currently taking place six days a week, when there is mail available to be delivered.

I understand there were a small number of previous disruptions due to high levels of sickness and vacancies at the Delivery Office; however, nine new post persons have recently joined the team at Dundee Central.

While the Manager expects no further issues, I would like to reassure you that, should there be an occasion when a delivery round cannot be completed on a particular day, it will become the priority the following working day.”

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 13 NOVEMBER 2023

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

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.

Norwood Crescent – closed for 5 days from Monday 13 November for carriageway patching.

Riverside Drive (at Riverside Approach) – eastbound lane narrows from Monday 13 November for one week for C-plan work.

Riverside Approach – temporary traffic lights from Friday 17 November to Tuesday 21 November for C‑plan work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for 2 weeks commencing Monday 20 November for sewer connection to new housing development.

Building Bridges Symposium 2023 #dundeewestend

Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education is hosting its annual Building Bridges Symposium next Thursday - 16th November.

This year in the theme of “Community.”

This event is the latest in a series of successful symposiums hosted by the college.

You can read more and book a place at this Eventbrite link - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-bridges-symposium-2023-tickets-732853042177

Getting things done - Seymour Street #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who drew to our attention repairs needed to the road surface at the south end of Seymour Street - see photo.

We drew this to the attention of the Roads Maintenance Partnership and the local inspector has agreed to localised repairs being carried out.

Temporary Traffic Orders - Westgrove Avenue and Norwood Crescent

Two Temporary Traffic Orders from the City Council :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)

1 : THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of carriageway resurfacing works HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in West Grove Avenue (between Farington Street and Perth Road), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Monday 13th November 2023 for five working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.    Access for residents will be maintained from the north.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Perth Road / Farington Street.

2 : THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of carriageway patching works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Norwood Crescent (from its junction with Blackness Road to its junction with Norwood Terrace), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 13th November 2023 for five working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available Blackness Road / West Park Road / Norwood Terrace and in reverse.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries not taking place tonight #dundeewestend

Today is an in-service day at schools across Dundee and therefore schools are not open to pupils and the public.

Therefore, Michael's usual surgeries at Harris Academy and the West End Campus do not take place tonight.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or e-mail westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks!

Getting things done - mosaic in Tay Square #dundeewestend

The mosaic outside the Rep in Tay Square is unfortunately needing repair again.

We raised this with the City Council and the Head of Planning & Economic Development has assured us he will ask an appropriate colleague to take repairs forward.

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 6 NOVEMBER 2023

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

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.

Riverside Drive (at Riverside Approach) - overnight (7.00pm to 6.00am) temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 7 November for C-Plan work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Greenmarket (Greenmarket leading to rear of station) – closed from 8.00am on Sunday 12 November to 6.00am on Monday 13 November for BT work.

Greenmarket (South Marketgait westwards) – rolling lane closures, mini contraflows and temporary traffic lights from Monday 13 November for one week for BT work.

Norwood Crescent – closed for 5 days from Monday 13 November for carriageway patching.

Greenmarket (Greenmarket leading to rear of station) – closed from 8.00am on Sunday 19 November to 6.00am on Monday 20 November for BT work (contingency date if not finished on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 November).

Magdalen Yard Road - closed between Bellefield Avenue and Thomson Street for 2 weeks commencing Monday 20 November for sewer connection to new housing development.

Connecting Carers Café #dundeewestend

All unpaid carers welcome at the West End Connecting Carers Café!

Details below :

Dundee recycling bot!

Dundee has a new recycling chat bot!

Tell it what you would like to recycle for information on where or how to recycle it and the bot will give advice!

This is a new system from Sustainable Dundee, so there may be things you are trying to recycle that the bot doesn't know about yet, but that information will feed in to improving the system.

You can access the recycling bot at www.tinyurl.com/hellobindundee

Phone box - Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

Many thanks to all the residents who contacted us last week following what can be described only as the complete flattening of the phone box at the south end of Blackness Avenue, next to the library.

We contacted BT Payphones immediately to report this and BT replied promptly as follows :

"Thank you for sending in the photo; it is much appreciated.

I can confirm that our engineer has now been on-site and the area has been made safe.

Our contractors will be recovering the kiosk as soon as possible.

We won’t be replacing the kiosk."

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #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!

Pattern Play at the University of Dundee #dundeewestend

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

Pattern Play is currently on display in the Lamb Gallery, the University of Dundee’s Tower Building, exploring patterns in art, design and science.

Patterns are all around us. The physical world depends on regularity and repetition. A large part of scientific research involves the identification and understanding of patterns, either physical or theoretical. What may seem random and chaotic often still depends on underlying, predictable patterns. 

Art too is all about patterns. The mathematician and philosopher Alfred North Whitehead described art as “the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.” The influential art critic Herbert Read defined works of art as “pattern informed by sensibility”. 

In this exhibition we reveal different ways that patterns have been explored, interpreted and sometimes disrupted by artists, designers and scientists. All of the objects, artworks and specimens on display are from the University of Dundee Museum Collections.   There is limited time left to see this as the exhibition runs until next Saturday - 4th November - and more information is available at www.dundee.ac.uk/events/pattern-play with opening times.