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 new cycle lane and surfacing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Ninewells Avenue (northbound between Perth Road and Ninewells Drive), Dundee.
This notice comes into effect on Monday 10 May 2021 for 5 working days.
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
Alternative routes are available via Perth Road / Glamis Road / Ninewells Avenue.
The Dundee Green Health Week 2021 managed by Green Health Partnership Dundee runs from today until 16th May and details can be found here.
There will be over 50 activities all designed to improve people’s mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Green Health Week coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week.Activities will be online but also in person. All activities are free, booking is essential.
Today sees the launch a series of self-led activities to download as well as a variety of videos about the health benefits of being outdoors created by NHS staff, how to form new health habits by University of Dundee and Iowa State University staff; Biodiversity, Climate Change and Sustainability (by Dundee City Council staff), Joe – a boy from Lochee who gardens at Fruitbowls, and more!
Residents will be aware that the creation of the new bus lane at the West Port roundabout from West Marketgait into Hawkhill has resulted in a new road layout at the Brown Street junction (and no right turn into Brown Street from the West Marketgait direction).
As has been pointed out to me :
“This has removed the give way markings from the turning that comes off the Hawkhill when you on to Brown Street. It has resulted in cars taking that corner which is partially blind due to the hedges at speed.
In the period since layout has been in place, I have seen a handful of cars having to swerve or stop/slow suddenly due to pedestrians crossing as they come out of the flats opposite Duke’s Corner or cross the other way.”
This is a very valid point and I raised it with the City Council.
The Transportation Officer (Road Safety) in the Traffic & Road Safety Team has now helpfully updated me as follows :
“I have ordered a slow marking to be installed on the slip road, and a new road layout ahead temporary sign.
These shall be installed as soon as Tayside Contracts can get them programmed.I will also continue to monitor the location.”
Willie Rennie and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have run a positive campaign in the Scottish Parliamentary election, putting recovery first.
Please support Daniel Coleman, Scottish Liberal Democrat, today for Dundee City West on the lilac coloured ballot paper and the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the peach coloured ballot paper for North East Scotland.
I have over a period of time received concerns from residents about the poor performing floodlights in the Miller’s Wynd car park that have not been functioning properly.
I have raised this with the Team Leader, Parking & Sustainable Transport, at the City Council, who has now updated me as follows :
“My colleague from the Street Lighting Partnership went out to the Miller’s Wynd car park to assess the situation.
He reported that while there is power to the lighting column that holds the floodlights, it is difficult to access because of the trees and therefore almost impossible to replace the lanterns safely.
He has recommended an alternative lighting solution (new column, new floodlights, new location) which he thinks would be more effective in bringing the car park lighting up to the expected standard and allow for future maintenance.
I have asked for a cost for the work and funds allowing will propose that we implement the new plan over the summer.”
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 Scottish Water manhole repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Perth Road (between Hyndford Street and Windsor Street), Dundee.
This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 5 May 2021 for one day.
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Glamis Road / Blackness Road / Blackness Avenue.
Residents recall my update in March giving the positive response I had received from the City Council’s environment management team about installing further picnic tables at Lochee Park.
I was advised at the time that delivery was to be taking place soon so, last week, I sought an update on installation.
The Project Officer in the council’s Neighbourhood Services team has now updated me as follows :
“I met with a colleague last week and agreed the positions for two picnic benches. I have since instructed our chargehand to install concrete bases for the benches. We have the benches in stock at Caird Park.
Once installed, hopefully next week, the concrete will require at least a week to cure before drilling and bolting down the benches.
Therefore approx 2 to 3 weeks for the bench fitting.”
I am grateful to the residents who over the past fortnight highlighted to me the graffiti in the pedestrian tunnel near to Clovis Duveau Drive and Riverside Avenue.
I contacted the City Council’s Rapid Response Team to get this removed and the team lived up to its title as the graffiti was thereafter very promptly removed.
Residents will recall that, some time ago, I highlighted a site visit I had undertaken to two then void council properties in the Logie area to view the trial at internal insulation the council had undertaken to ensure the council properties in Logie have better insulation and all properties meet the Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Standard (EESSH) target.
As the tenants are aware, as the oldest council estate in Scotland and its Conservation status, external insulation is not possible and an internal solution is the way of ensuring warm homes into the future.
The work in the trial properties was very impressive. However, due to the COVID-19 health emergency, progress with this across Logie has been delayed so I asked the City Council for an update.
The Head of Housing and Communities has now advised as follows :
“Thank you for your recent enquiry on progress with EESSH . I can confirm the latest compliance figure is 86.05% (as of March 2021). This figure will be updated prior to our Social Housing Charter return to the Scottish Housing Regulator in May and with further EPCs lodged which have been delayed due to the Pandemic the figure should increase to nearer 90%.
Regarding the Logie estate it is still our plan to provide internal wall insulation to tenanted houses on this estate and we are looking at combining with other programmes to provide a more comprehensive solution however we are at the early stages of scoping this out.
COVID-19 has significantly delayed our insulation programme and we are only able to start our 2019/20 Programme at the end of April and realistically this will have a knock-on effect on programmes further down the line including Logie and Corso Street.
We will be in touch regarding further developments on these projects when we have more detail.”
I have recently been in discussion with both Police Scotland and City Council officers following the recent disgraceful vandalism on Magdalen Green that resulted in a table and seating being destroyed by fire. Additionally, as the photo shows, another table was recently also vandalised although the damage was less severe than happened to the other table and chairs. Environment management will ensure repair of this.
As I said to the media at the time of the vandalism, it is vital that the vandals do not win and I am grateful to Police Scotland for the comprehensive response I have received in relation to policing resource in relation to the Green.
The council had previously promised Friends of Magdalen Green further tables and seating and this will be provided by around 7th May. Whilst welcome, it is vital that the possibility of a repetition of previous vandalism is minimised. Policing is a key part of that but I have also been engaging with council environment management about the provision of static metal bins near to seating and separate static BBQ facilities to avoid portable BBQs being used on tables with predictable disastrous results.
Meantime, BBQ tables promised for the parklet area near the community fridge at the Miller’s Wynd car park should be in place hopefully this week.
Sheltered tenants in the Corso and Abbotsford areas have asked me for an update on grass maintenance in the area.
I have been in touch with with our local environment manager about this and he advises that where the grass is done by hand machine, this work is now well underway.
The ride-on mowers’ work should be starting this week.
Blether Tay-Gither is the Dundee Storytelling Group.
From Sheila Kinninmonth, Blether Tay-Gither’s secretary :
Hope you can join us for our April Blether on Zoom
Tuesday 27th April – 7pm to 9pm
This month’s theme for those who want a theme is is Rebels, Bandits, and Outlaws – but feel free to share any story, poem or song you would like to share, we’re very informal and not at all strict. Limit 10 minutes maximum please.
Stories throughout the ages are told about those who do not play by the rules. I’m certain we have all had a hero with a rebellious streak. The outlaw is necessary for change and bringing a bit of colour to our lives. Stories would be awful dull without them.
Join us for stories this month of the mayhem of mavericks, the antics of outcasts, the swindles of swindlers. Bring a story and share a cuppa over the internet, or just come to listen and have a blether.
Yesterday, I was advised of the detail of roads and pavements improvements planned for the West End for this financial year and these are as follows :
Adopted Footway Programme 2021-22
Perth Road South Side – Nr 312 to Taylors Lane – Resurface
South Tay Street – East Side – Whole Length – Slabs
Taits Lane – Both Sides – Various Sections – Resurface + Kerb
Unadopted Asset Programme 2021-22
Dunmore Gardens – Footways – Reconstruction
Norwood Terrace – North Footway – Reconstruction
Perth Road – South Footway Phase 2 – Reconstruction *
Rockfield Crescent – Footways – Reconstruction
* I sought clarity as to the precise part of Perth Road concerned and am advised it is the south pavement roughly between opposite the bottom of Ninewells Avenue to just west of Millbay Terrace/Gardens
Non-Adopted Asset Programme 2021-22
Seafield Road Car Park – 15 Bays – Resurface
Union Place (South) Car Park – 35 Bays – Reconstruction
Carriageway Programme 2021-22
Briarwood Terrace – Whole Cul de Sac – Resurface
Grosvenor Road – Perth Road to Shaftesbury Road – Resurface
Newhall Gardens – Main Loop Only – Surface Dress
Ninewells Avenue – Perth Road to Dickson Avenue- Surface Dress
These are very welcome – I have been raising many of these with the City Council repeatedly on behalf of residents. However, this does not go nearly as far as is required for the West End in terms of getting all our roads and footpaths up to standard.
At the 2021 Dundee City Council budget meeting, my colleague and I presented an alternative budget which would have seen an extra £2 million capital spending over the next year on roads resurfacing.
We believe a substantial increase in roads resurfacing is necessary to tackle worn and potholed local roads.
Unfortunately, none of the other parties supported our £2 million additional spending despite it being fully costed, but I will continue to pursue improving road condition across the West End.
At the request of residents, I recently sought an update from the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership about future pavement surfacing improvements planned along Perth Road.
I have been given the following update :
“The section between West Wynd and Springfield (south side) is currently in the 2022-23 Footway Programme.
This summer, the footways that receive the worst condition score (5 or 6) are then further detail scored to produce the 5 year Footway Programme
There are many sections of Perth Road that will be looked at for inclusion.”
In recent years, at my request, over the spring/summer, additional wheelie bins have been placed on the northern edge of Magdalen Green to cope with the additional litter generated over the periods of better weather. They are removed over the winter.
I asked back in March for additional bins to be placed again this year and was promised by the City Council that this would be done. However, only two initially appeared (roughly opposite Step Row). I therefore contacted environment management again on 8th April and was assured this would be resolved, which I am pleased to note has since been done.
However, I have asked if thought can be given in the future to consider recycling bins – plastics in particular – and not just general waste, given the amount of litter that consists of plastics.
Given the dreadful vandalism on the Green last Friday night, I have been in discussions with council officers and Police Scotland about the issues. Adequate bins is hardly the whole solution to this, but it helps. I will be keeping residents updated.
Many residents have asked me when Leisure & Culture Dundee aims to reopen Blackness Library.
Last Friday, it was announced that the Central Library will reopen on Monday 26th April with.reduced opening hours (Monday, Thursday, Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Tuesday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm and Wednesday and Saturday 10am to 1pm).
It will be open for lower floor departments only – returns, browsing and borrowing, limited PC access. Reconnect and Collect will also be available.
I have asked the Director of Leisure & Culture Dundee the position regarding Blackness Library and she has advised as follows :
“As with previous reopening plans, Leisure & Culture Dundee is working closely with Dundee City Council to ensure a co-ordinated approach to service resumption.
These plans are still being finalised and in terms of libraries will take place on a phased basis initially with reduced hours. I will let you know the date for Blackness Library as soon as I have confirmation.”
I will, of course, continue to keep residents updated.
Temporary Traffic Order – Hawkhill (this also covers Meadowside outside the West End Ward) :
Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of supporting local bus services in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Order is expected to be in force for 12 months from 22 April 2021. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.
The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily(1) all vehicles northbound except buses and cycles in Meadowside (northbound motorised vehicular lane) for a distance of 24 metres or thereby northwards from a point 17.5 metres or thereby northwards from the intersection of the extended west kerbline of Meadowside with the extended north kerbline of Bell Street and (2) all vehicles in the southmost lane except buses and cycles at West Marketgait, West Port Roundabout and Hawkhill (southmost lane) from a point 35.5 metres or thereby eastwards from the junction of West Marketgait with West Port Roundabout at its east leg, westwards for a distance of 73 metres or thereby.
Buses and cyclists are unaffected.
No diversion routes required.
Queries should be addressed to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS – phone 433082.
The Sustainable Wardrobe Workshop is a Gate Church Carbon Saving Project online event a week tomorrow – Saturday 24th April – at 11am.
The project team advise :
“Join us during Fashion Revolution Week to hear how you can make your wardrobe more sustainable and why this is so important, just as all the high street fast fashion brands are preparing to reopen.
We’ll be joined by Adele The Sustainable Stylist from House of Colour, who will be sharing her tips with us on how to thrift like a pro.
We’ll be sharing information about our Community Wardrobe and other useful local tips.
This will be an interactive session and we look forward to hearing your sustainable fashion tips.”
Further information and how to take part is available here.
I have received a number of residents’ concern about the width of the foot/cycle path on part of Riverside Avenue, particularly between the roundabout with Riverside drive and the entrance to Riverside Nature Park at Wright Avenue.
This comment from a resident captures the concern :
“The footpath along Riverside Avenue from the roundabout going to Wright Avenue is far too narrow for pedestrians, prams, children AND bicycles. Noticed a lady having to step onto the road while trying to move around prams and a fast moving lorry was lucky to have missed her.”
I raised this recently with the City Council’s Team Leader, Parking & Sustainable Transport who has responded as follows :
“This section of footway carries the NCN77 (National Cycle Network) and officers are aware that width is less than desirable. As part of the Spaces for People programme this winter, there has been a clearance of overgrown shrubs in this area – creating more usable space. I have asked colleagues to check whether the shrub clearance is complete – and determine whether more work to scrape back the earth/leaves is needed.
Work to widen the path or re-route this section of the NCN will be considered and may be taken forward as a future project. We would hope to be able to match our own capital allocation for active travel infrastructure against external funding sources to take projects like this forward.”
I have received concerns from many residents about the poor state of the roadway in parts of Abbotsford Place and raised this with the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership.
I have now received the following helpful update :
“Abbotsford Place is included in the Structural Inlay Programme for 2021-2022.
Structural inlay is reconstruction of the carriageway at those spots identified where deterioration of the road structure extends into the layers below the wearing surface.
So, yes it is a new surface but more depth of the road surface will be removed then be reconstructed to the existing road surface.
This will apply to targeted areas in Abbotsford Place so the whole of Abbotsford Place carriageway will not be renewed/resurfaced.”
I have recently received concerns about the deteriorating road surface towards the west end of Hillcrest Road.
This part of the road was not resurfaced some time ago when the rest of the street was given an improved surface and I therefore raised ths with the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership.
I have now had a helpful response as follows :
“An inspection has been carried out at Hillcrest Road and there are currently no actionable defects. However an order has been raised to repair non actionable defects when resources are available.
Non actionable defects are minor defects and have no specified timescale for repair. Actionable defects are defects that require intervention i.e. repair within an appropriate timescale dependant on the location and scale of the fault.”
I have in recent months had repeated complaints about the recycling centre at Roseangle being overflowing.
Although the environment management team at the City Council has responded promptly to each issue I raise about this, I have now had an assurance that it is pursuing the viability of increasing the frequency of sevicing of the site which will hopefully resolve this problem.
