DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021
West Marketgait (at West Port roundabout) – off-peak northbound nearside lane closure from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 March for SSEN work.
From the City Council :
“Please be aware that Riverside household waste recycling centre will be shut on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th March for re-surfacing works to take place.”
Other recycling facilities elsewhere are unaffected and a full list is available here.
I am grateful to the residents who recently highlighted to me that the pillars at Seabraes where the lemmings statues are have unfortunately been vandalised with graffiti.
I raised this with the City Council’s environment team requesting that the graffiti is removed and pleased to say this was done towards the end of last week.
Today sees the start of a very different Dundee Women’s Festival this year.
Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, it has gone virtual, but thanks to the ingenuity and co-operation of all involved it is able to offer an amazing programme of events.
Please see full details and the programme here.
I am grateful to the resident who recently advised me as follows :
“We have at least 2 drains blocked with leaves and debris in Millers Wynd.
This is resulting in large pools of water at the bottom of the lane.”
I raised this with the City Council and have now been updated as follows :
“(The local inspector) … has raised an order for these gullies to be cleared.”
The Evening Telegraph recently ran an important article that highlighted concerns that hundreds of older people in Dundee are missing out on thousands of pounds of benefits to help with fuel poverty this winter.
New statistics from the charity Independent Age has found 1 145 older people in Dundee West are missing out on approximately £160 000 by not taking up the UK Government’s warm home discount scheme. This includes folk in the West End and I am anxious to highlight this important issue.
You can read the article here – it is particularly useful as it lists a number of benefits are older people entitled to.
I am always keen to speak with any constituent with fuel poverty or benefits entitlement concerns and can be contacted at fraser@frasermacpherson.org.uk or just call me at home on 459378 – always here to help.
From Sheena Wellington :
We have a very special online Lunchtime Recital starting at 1.15pm on Wednesday 3rd March.
Medieval Harp virtuoso Simon Chadwick needs no introduction to the Wighton audience! As Musician in Residence, harp tutor and hard working secretary he was a mainstay of Friends of Wighton for many years.
Since he moved to Armagh in 2018 though we have kept in touch he has been sorely missed so it is a particular delight to welcome him on the 3rd.
A Chadwick recital is always a treat and an adventure. During the last year’s lockdowns, Simon has been working on old Irish harp tunes from the Bunting collection, finding unusual tunes, and unusual versions of better known tunes. He will play some of them for you on Wednesday including some with interesting connections to versions in the Wighton collection.
The Zoom link is below, the Recital is free but donations can be made on our webpage http://www.friendsofwighton.com
Sheena Wellington is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Wighton Lunchtime
Recital Time: Mar 3, 2021 01:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87171364577?pwd=cnRvQW5jaytPMC9HekxRWlZOcHBmZz09
Meeting ID: 871 7136 4577Passcode: 513416
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 1 MARCH 2021
Blackness Road (at Rosefield Street) – off-peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 2 March for Scottish Water work.
Forthcoming Road Works
West Marketgait (at West Port roundabout) – off-peak northbound nearside lane closure from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 March for SSEN work.
Craft It On is Feeling Strong’s latest art project that can be done by young people from the comfort of their own home, designed to promote connectedness and community while lockdown continues.
Young people will be given their own art supplies and a canvas delivered to their door. This canvas will be divided into four squares, and young people will have the task to complete their own square using prompts provided by Feeling Strong Volunteers from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.
Once completed, this canvas will be delivered to another young person with a different prompt, visiting a total of four young people. By the end of the project there will be a series of works, and each young person will have made their mark on four of them along with their peers.
At the end there will also be an online exhibition and digital zine for participants as well as the opportunity for them to meet their fellow artists!
If this is something that may be of interest there is a sign-up link here.
Please note that this is open to ages 8-26 and it will be putting young people into groups based on age.
The three Tayside local authorities, including Dundee City Council, have worked together to help establish safe, anonymous online support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Called Togetherall, it is for young people aged 16 to 24 across Tayside and is a supportive virtual community.
It is estimated that 1 in 4 people will suffer with mental health problems at some point in their lives. Talking about mental health, or just feeling overwhelmed by everyday worries and concerns, can be difficult, especially for young people.
Trained professionals are available 24/7 through Togetherall, which offers a choice of safe therapeutic services, including online self-help courses. This means anyone who may be struggling with mental health, distress or anxiety can get support at a time that suits them. Togetherall has already helped over 200,000 people around the UK and has very positive reviews from current users.
Togetherall is now available free for all 16-24 year olds living in Dundee, simply by visiting www.togetherall.com, click ‘Register’ and ‘My area is registered’, and then enter your postcode to gain access.
When someone joins Togetherall as a new user, they create a username that does not identify them in any way, and the service is completely anonymous.
The University of Dundee Botanic Garden recently published another interesting newsletter.
This is well worth a read and can be read here.
On Monday 8th March, the Gate Church Carbon Saving Project and the University of Dundee – on International Women’s Day – are presenting a free online discussion, where an inspiring variety of guest speakers will discuss their roles and experience and why they think women can be a major part of solving the climate and ecological crises.
This event is being run as part of the Dundee Women’s Festival and you can find out more here.
Residents have complained about a loose manhole cover on Blackness Road, just east of the junction with Blackness Street.
It is very noisy when vehicles pass over it and I raised this with Scottish Water, whose cover it is.
I am pleased to say I have now received the following helpful feedback :
“I have been able to find out that the work to replace the noisy manhole on Blackness Road is scheduled to be carried out on 2nd March.”
The City Council is to shortly consult on the Dundee City Council (Variation of Waiting Restrictions) Order 2021.
This covers proposed changes to waiting restrictions at various locations across the city and will include a proposal to introduce “No Waiting at any time” on the four corners of the Rosebery Street/Cleghorn Street junction.
Given the concerns raised by residents about some vehicles parking right at the junction and affecting sight lines, this is a sensible move, although the proposal will be subject to consultation.
Blether Tay-Gither is the Dundee Storytelling Group.
From Sheila Kinninmonth, Blether Tay-Gither’s secretary :
Hope you can join us for our February Blether on Zoom
Tuesday 23rd February – 7pm to 9pm
Our theme this month is Sea Shanties and Sea Stories
Last month one of our attendees offered to sing a sea shanty this month so we thought we’d embrace that and make it our theme.
The sea shanty was the song of the working people, the fishing people hard at work on the water, and the sea has long been a source and inspiration for stories.
So see what sea shanty or story you can dredge up and bring along to our club this month. Or join in for this February evening just to listen and have a blether.
Come along and join us, in the virtual format. Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87453739015
Meeting ID: 874 5373 9015
FRAMEWORK FOR EASING LOCKDOWN
The Scottish Government is currently preparing a revised strategic framework for easing the lockdown. It will be published on Tuesday.
SCHOOLS
The majority of primary and secondary school pupils will continue with remote learning until at least mid-March while children in early learning and childcare and primaries 1 to 3 will return full-time to classrooms from Monday 22nd February.
Very limited numbers of S4 – S6 pupils who require to complete practical work in order to achieve an SQA certificate will also return from Monday. Pupils currently in classrooms – primarily the children of key workers and those considered vulnerable – will retain their places.
There will be twice weekly at-home testing offered to people who work in schools, early learning and childcare settings attached to schools, and senior phase pupils.
All secondary pupils will be required to observe two metre physical distancing while in school and on school transport in the period immediately after the return. This is in addition to existing measures including the use of face coverings.
Further detail on the next phase of school return could be provided on the 2nd March.
The National Qualifications 2021 Group will soon publish further details on how qualifications will be awarded this year.
https://www.gov.scot/news/remote-learning-to-continue-for-majority/
Dundee families are being urged to keep playing their part in the fight against coronavirus, as nursery children, Primary 1-3 classes and certain senior secondary pupils prepare to return on Monday.
Reminders are being issued about the steps that families and young people are being asked to take to keep everyone safe.
These include* :
• Families observing 2 metre physical distancing while dropping off and picking up outside nursery or school
• Face covering should be worn by anyone who is on nursery or school grounds, even if they don’t go into the building
• Senior secondary pupils should observe 2 metres physical distancing at all times in school
• Those S4-6 pupils should also wear face coverings in communal areas of the school as well as the classroom
• They should also wear a face covering if travelling by bus or visiting local shops at lunchtimes
• Ensure that key worker spaces for children are requested as a last resort and only on days where no other option exists
(*The guidance on face coverings does not apply to those with exemptions).
Remote learning will continue for all pupils not returning to the classroom.
Senior pupils and all staff in primaries and secondaries who are regularly attending the premises have been contacted about a process of asymptomatic coronavirus tests which is beginning.
Dundee City Council schools will also still be open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
However, with the return of more children to school it is essential that key workers requiring support ensure that requests for all places are a last resort and only requested for days where no other childcare options are available.
Head teachers will be speaking to families directly about these arrangements and may require further information from parents continuing requesting spaces as more pupils prepare to return to the buildings.
Dundee City Council has produced a school Covid-19 information page on its website.
https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus/schools-information
VACCINE UPDATE
Group 1: Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers is complete for over 95% and scheduling of second dose underway.
Group 2: All those age 80+ and frontline health and social care workers is complete for over 95% and scheduling of second dose underway.
Group 3: Those aged 75+ were due to be completed by the middle of February.
Group 4: Those aged 70+ and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable were due to be completed by the middle of February.
Group 5: Those 65+ are due to be completed by 5th March
Group 6: this is for those aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. It is also for unpaid carers, including all adult carers and young carers aged 16 to 18. The definition of an unpaid carer is set out in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.
The first people invited will be those considered most at risk that the NHS can identify using a modified version of the annual cohort for flu (aged 18-64).
Letters were due to be sent Thursday 18th February, with appointments commencing on Tuesday 23rd February.
Groups 6 – 9: 50+ – TBC
Please wait until you receive a vaccination letter.
Appointment letters not being received
Anyone who is currently eligible for vaccination but has not received a letter, or who has lost their letter, can arrange an appointment by providing some details using this link: https://invitations.vacs.nhs.scot/ or phone the National Helpline on 0800 030 8013 and the operator will complete this form. It will likely take a few days for the national team to review the forms and issue letters.
Waits
If any clinic is running more than one hour behind, this triggers escalation. A review of pinch points through the day to ensure staffing is optimal also takes place.
Scottish supplies
On 15th February 1,618,320 doses of the vaccine were allocated to Scotland and the number delivered to Scotland was 1,520,690. Up until Friday 19th February at 8.30am 1,386,152 first doses had been administered and 29,015 second doses.
Over 80s
Apart from some who are housebound, you should have already received your vaccination. If not, please call your GP.
Independent health and social care workers
Independently employed health and social care workers should have received a letter inviting you for a vaccine appointment. If you have not, please reply to this email and we will contact the local vaccination team to make arrangements.
Transport
For those who do not have their own transport or support networks, please contact the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 400 (Monday to Friday – office hours) to arrange transport to get to their vaccination appointment.
BUSINESS RATES RELIEF
Retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will pay no rates during 2021-22. Newspapers will also continue to benefit from 100% relief for a further 12 months, while charitable rates relief will not be removed from mainstream independent schools until 1st April 2022.
https://www.gov.scot/news/non-domestic-rates-relief-extended/
MORE BUSINESS SUPPORT
Two funds are now open to applications.
• mobile and home-based close contact service businesses – such as make-up artists and hairdressers – as well as registered driving instructors.
• the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund will also re-open for a second round.
Both funds will provide £4,000 grants to successful applicants.
Since opening some applications were rejected because of an IT glitch. Others have been rejected because of problems with authenticating bank details due to errors by the applicants so please make sure you complete this part correctly. All rejected applications are being rechecked manually.
https://www.gov.scot/news/more-business-support-now-live/
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/browse-support#!Products=/last-modified/show+25/page+1
FAMILY FUNDS
There will be a new £100 COVID Hardship Payment for qualifying low-income families whose children receive free meals in schools and early learning and childcare settings.
https://www.gov.scot/news/funding-to-tackle-poverty-and-inequality/
DENTAL STUDENTS
A bursary of up to £6,750 will be offered to dental students who will have to repeat a year.
https://www.gov.scot/news/support-for-dental-students/
CLOSE CONTACT TESTING
Anyone who is identified as a close contact of somebody who has tested positive will be asked to get tested. Previously, outbreak Incident Management Teams (IMTs) have had the ability to order testing of close contacts on a case-by-case basis. Now everyone who has been identified as a close contact via the Protect Scotland app, or through manual contact tracing, will be provided with instructions on how to book a PCR test. This has no impact on the self-isolation rules.
https://www.gov.scot/news/close-contacts-to-be-offered-testing/
SHORT TERM LETS
This order has been delayed.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/short-term-lets-letter-from-housing-minister-to-committee/
LOCAL CASES
You can access local information on the spread of the virus in our council area then choose Dundee City from the menu in local neighbourhoods.
REVISED VITAMIN D GUIDANCE
https://www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups/
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS
If you have symptoms of the virus check out this link.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides/self-help-guide-coronavirus-covid-19
POLICE CONTACT FORM
https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/covid19/
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Inform – https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This has been an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend
Many thanks to all the residents who contacted me yesterday about the mess of overflowing recycling – mainly cardboard – at the Roseangle recycling area.
I immediately contacted the City Council who promised to get it cleaned up – hopefully by the Saturday environment crew who are working today.
A number of residents have queried with me why currently you cannot recycle cardboard at the Riverside Recycling Centre.
I raised this with environment management at the City Council and the Assistant Waste Services Manager has advised :
“The current waste acceptance restrictions at the two recycling centres and the reasons for them are detailed here.
Due to the requirements for social distancing, both Riverside (two zones) and Baldovie (three zones) are running at significantly reduced capacity.
As pretty much every resident has access to a paper/cardboard kerbside or communal bin, the decision was taken to should prioritise other waste commodities e.g. wood, waste electronic equipment etc. as we don’t have other locations where these waste types can be disposed of.
There are various mini recycling centres across the city that accept paper/cardboard. Obviously when the pandemic is over, we will reinstate all services at both sites.”
Do you know anyone aged 16/ 17 currently not in education or employment that this course would suit?
Get in touch with kayleigh@showcasethestreet.co.uk for more information or to note your interest.
One of the volunteers at Ninewells Community Garden – Christina – has written an excellent blog about this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
It is an interesting read and you can read it here.
Residents with fairly long memories may remember the “Dundee Decides” participatory budgeting consultation in early 2018.
In the West End, one of the successful projects covered the Perth Road district shopping centre. Some of that – for example the “Perth Road” seating at the entrance to the Miller’s Wynd car park – has been long completed but there have been repeated delays with the Sinderins Beacon, the proposal for a entrance structure at the west end of the shopping area at Sinderins.
I am pleased to say that there is finally some progress towards completing this. The council’s Public Art Planning Officer has recently updated me as follows :
“The beacon is in fabrication and the last details for the site works are being worked on.
I believe the aim is to complete by 31st March.
However, I am assuming that it cannot be guaranteed as there a few different contractors involved who effected by the pandemic in different ways.”
More information is available below :
Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education is holding this online lecture later this week.
Dr Kiril Sharapov, Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, is speaking on the subject of ‘From Migration to Mobility to Climate Change: What does ‘Migration’ really mean?‘ as part of the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education online Open Lecture Series.
All welcome to join on Thursday 18th February at 6pm and you can register here.
From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :
I’m delighted to advise of this special event on Tuesday 16th February at 5.30pm.
It is a free online event co-organised by the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, University of Dundee and Tufts University, Massachusetts
D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson is best known for his ground-breaking book On Growth and Form, which laid the foundations for the science of mathematical biology. However that was just one of his many publications, and this special live event focuses on an exciting interdisciplinary project led by Tufts University in Massachusetts, exploring D’Arcy’s 1895 book A Glossary of Greek Birds.
This extraordinary book combines his deep knowledge of natural history with his love for classical studies and mythology. Building on D’Arcy’s own belief in fostering diversity and dialogue among disciplines, this unique project brings together a team of humanists and scientists to uncover the contemporary relevance of a forgotten classic.
Speakers:
Matthew Jarron, Curator of Museum Services, University of Dundee
Marie-Claire Beaulieu, Associate Professor, Classical Studies, Tufts University
Michael Reed, Professor of Biology, Tufts University
Anthony Bucci, Lecturer, Computer Science, Tufts University
Jennifer Burton, Professor of the Practice, Drama and Dance, Tufts University
Zachary Fletcher, Senior Software Developer, Perseids Project, Classical Studies, Tufts University
The event will be held live on Zoom and to book a place, please go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-darcy-thompsons-footsteps-science-technology-and-the-classics-tickets-139945455625
VACCINATION RATES
We want to thank the great efforts of all the vaccination staff who have worked incredibly hard to get people vaccinated.
In Scotland 1 million people have been vaccinated and the gap is closing with the rest of the United Kingdom where governments organised a faster start to the programme.
As of Thursday evening, Scotland was still 47,814 behind where it would be if it had rolled out the vaccine at the same rate as England. As that gap was up at 200,000 at one point this is good progress by the vaccinators.
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/vaccinations
These are official figures Public Health Scotland published this week available at https://beta.isdscotland.org/media/7461/21-02-10-covid19-publication_report.pdf
VACCINE UPDATE
The revised timetable across Scotland is:
• Groups 1 and 2 – by now
• Groups, 3 and 4
• Group 5 – by end of February
• Groups 6 – 9 – by early May
Group 1 – Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
Group 2 – All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
Group 3 – All those 75 years of age and over
Group 4 – All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
Group 5 – All those 65 years of age and over.
Group 6 – All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. This also includes unpaid carers.
Group 7 – All those 60 years of age and over
Group 8 – All those 55 years of age and over
Group 9 – All those 50 years of age and over
Regarding rearranging or opting-out of your coronavirus vaccination appointment, further information is available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/rearrange-or-opt-out-of-your-coronavirus-vaccination-appointment (and follow the advice for the NHS Tayside area).
LOCAL CASES
You can access local information on the spread of the virus in our area then choose “Dundee City” from the menu in local neighbourhoods.
QUARANTINE HOTELS
All arrivals to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must book and pay for managed isolation in quarantine hotels from 15th February.
Six hotels close to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports with a combined capacity of 1,300 rooms will be used to implement the quarantine at a cost of £1,750 per individual traveller. Final costs for those not travelling alone are currently being worked through, as well as the details for a Managed Isolation Welfare Fund which will be launched for those who cannot afford the charge.
All arrivals must quarantine for at least ten days and will be tested twice for the virus – once on day two and once on day eight after arrival.
Existing travel exemptions will be strengthened, including limiting overseas training for elite sportspeople to athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.
A small number of arrivals will not be required to isolate, such as those involved in essential supply chains for goods coming into Scotland.
Non-essential international travel is still not permitted.
BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEMES OPEN
The following funds are now open for application:
• Exclusive Use Grant
• Events Industry Support Fund 2
• Large Self-Catering Grant
• Bed and Breakfasts Paying Council Tax Grant
• Visitor Attractions Support Fund
• Seafood Disruption Support Scheme
• Coronavirus Resilience and Recovery Fund for Legal Aid
• Covid-19 Recovery Support for Scottish Recycling Businesses
• Hostel Covid-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund
• Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme
• Seafood Producers Resilience Fund
• Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance
• Coronavirus Scottish Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Fund
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/browse-support#!Products=/last-modified/show+25/page+1
FREELANCERS AND EVENTS SUPPORT
A further £17.5 million of emergency funding has been allocated to support creative freelancers and the events sector. £8.5 million will go towards the events sector – distributed through the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund and the Events Industry Support Fund 2 as well as targeted support. The remaining £9 million will be distributed as a top-up to the Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund. https://www.gov.scot/news/support-for-freelancers-and-the-events-sector/
SUPPORT FOR CHILDMINDERS
Grants of £750 are being paid to all registered childminders.
https://www.gov.scot/news/increased-support-for-childminders/
PHONE APP
If you are told to self-isolate through the Protect Scotland phone app you can download a certificate on your phone. That certificate can then be used as proof when you are claiming self-isolation support, or when you are contacting your employer.
Also, the app uses an exposure notification system, which didn’t work on some older phones. But Apple has now made changes which mean that if you have an iPhone 5S or an iPhone 6, the app will now work.
BIN AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS
The snow has meant the City Council has been unable to empty bins for part of last this week.
Advice regarding this is available at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/recycle-for-dundee
REVISED VITAMIN D GUIDANCE
https://www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups/
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS
If you have symptoms of the virus check out this link.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides/self-help-guide-coronavirus-covid-19
POLICE CONTACT FORM
https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/covid19/
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Inform – https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This has been an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend
Further to my update earlier this week about the street lights being out in much of the Hillside/Glamis Drive/Hazel Drive area, in which I advised that there was an electricity supply problem, I have now received this further news from SSE :
“Our Network Integrity team are aware of this fault and have advised that it is high on this priority list.
We have had a number of faults on our network as a result of the snowfall which the team have had to attend to in the first instance.
Can you please share our apologies and advise that we will resolve this by next week at the latest?”
I should add that, after receiving this update yesterday afternoon, residents advised me that SSE vans had appeared, so if the lights were not back on last night they should now be back on very soon.
Residents recently contacted me about the deteriorating state of parts of the car park and the access road from Riverside Drive into Tesco Riverside.
This is not an adopted road but maintained by Tesco PLC.
The City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership kindly raised the issue with Tesco following my highlighting it and has received the following helpful response from the company :
“I just spoke to the management over at the Riverside Extra, they advise that they have recently finished the internal approvals for the maintenance of the car park, and are expecting work to begin within the next week or two.”
Many thanks to the residents who highlighted with me that, following the resurfacing of Glamis Road some time ago and the access road at Balgay Cemetery, some of the road linings have not been repainted.
I raised this with the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now received this helpful reply :
“Dundee Road Maintenance Partnership carried out improvements to the surfacing to the access road at Balgay Cemetery. A lining schedule has been produced but unfortunately due to the inclement weather it has not been possible to apply these markings to the new surface.
As far as our lining duties are concerned, we have made this a priority and will bring this to a conclusion at the earliest possible opportunity.”
I have welcomed recently released research from the universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh, East Anglia and Cambridge that has revealed that the introduction of 20mph speed limits in Edinburgh in 2016 has had a positive effect on road safety, changing the trend of crashes from “slow decreasing” to “fast decreasing”.
The research covering Edinburgh’s 20mph residential areas shows that there was a monthly average of 95 crashes per month in 2016, the year the change was introduced, with that figure down to 64 a month by 2018.
These research findings clearly show that the 20mph rollout in Edinburgh – which is the city that has led the way in Scotland in terms of safer speed limits in residential areas – has resulted in significantly fewer accidents.
Here is Dundee, progress has been slower although the four new 20mph zones fairly recently introduced in the city under the “Spaces for People” funding – including parts of the West End around the Perth Road district shopping centre and Perth Road lanes and as far east as South Tay Street and West Port – is a good step forward.
Feedback to the West End 20mph zone from residents has been very positive although there is a clear need to ensure regular enforcement which I have raised with Police Scotland.
It is clear from feedback from residents that lower speed limits in other residential areas of the West End would be welcomed and I will continue to pursue this with the council.
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2021
A991 West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Guthrie Street) – northbound nearside lane closure on Monday 8 February for roof inspection works.
