Balgay Park

Balgay Park – leaf litter and surface water drainage at the Rose Garden #dundeewestend

Following concerns raised by residents about leaf litter and surface water drainage at the Rose Garden at Balgay Park, we highlighted this to our local environment manager and have now received the following update :

“Concerning the drainage and run off issue towards the former Rose Garden, having met the Friends of Balgay here in recent months, we do have plans for our gardeners to attend to this area.    Given the planned maintenance work we have, this should help improve the drainage issue. 

Similarly, our area gardeners are scheduled to carry out work in this area of the park through the early part of January.     On completion of both sets of work I am confident that a noted improvement will be made.”

Book signing at the Book Attic tomorrow! #dundeewestend

Local writer George Burton will be at the Book Attic, 93 Perth Road, tomorrow between 12 noon and 2pm to sign copies of his first novel ‘Balgay Park’.

The stories are based around the park and cemetery; none are based based on fact – they are all supernatural stories concerning unusual happenings.

There will also be an official launch of the book at the Victoria Gardens community garden in Blackness Road at 10am tomorrow.

The Courier recently had an article about George and the novel that you can read at www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/entertainment/culture/4819577/books-first-work-of-fiction-for-wee-georgie-author-george-burton

Getting things done – Balgay Park #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns that part of the fence in Balgay Park near to Royal Victoria Hospital was damaged.

We reported this to environment management at the City Council and have received a commitment to make this safe.    

The department will thereafter have a closer look at the fencing in this area in terms of requirement/condition, looking to potential replacement along with the fencing at a few other points within the park.

Getting things done – Planet Trail at Balgay Park #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that Fraser recently met with the Chair of West End Community Council and two senior members of the council environment management team at Greater Balgay to walk round the park to discuss management issues.

One of the issues highlighted was deterioration of the Planet Trail’s signage and we are pleased to say that we have now had an assurance from a senior environment management officer as follows :

“I have authorised the area officer to replace the Perspex in the Planet Trail.”

Balgay Park entrance at Scott Street #dundeewestend

We have received complaints about the road surface within the “triangle” at the Scott Street entrance to Balgay Park, which is badly deteriorated.

We raised this and the Roads Maintenance Partnership Manager has responded as follows :

“I have visit the area personally and confirm that I was only able to identify a single actionable defect which was situated at the junction of Scott Street and Balgay Road.

While the surface within this area is badly degraded and in need of a full reconstruction unfortunately due to the funding levels allocated to the Roads Maintenance Partnership and the low level usage of this street, full resurfacing of this area is not likely in the near future.

The Roads Maintenance Partnership will continue to monitor the areas condition through cyclical inspection and I will organise the repair of the single actionable defect.”

We responded asking that the loose debris on the road be swept up and received this further feedback :

“I will request that colleagues at neighbourhood services give this area a light sweep next time they are in the area.

Unfortunately, with the condition of the surface, this may actually cause further defects to appear however we will at least attempt to remove the worst of debris within this area.”

The current budget is wholly inadequate and far too few roads and footpaths are being upgraded.    At the council’s revenue budget earlier this year, the Liberal Democrat Group proposed an additional £2 million next year for roads resurfacing and £1 million on pavements resurfacing to properly tackle the state of many footpaths and road surfaces that we get so many complaints about.

Unfortunately the other parties voted this down but our group will continue to campaign for roads and pavements improvements.

Friends of Balgay – promoting the park #dundeewestend

It was a pleasure for us both yesterday to visit the Friends of Balgay’s informal meeting at the Blackness Library.

It was a great opportunity to find out about the Friends’ plans for the coming year and chance to get to chat with the committee.

You can find out more about the Friends of Balgay’s activities by contacting the committee at friendsofbalgay@hotmail.com

Entrance to Balgay Park at Balgay Road/Scott Street #dundeewestend

We received complaints about the road surface and footways around the entrance to Balgay Park at Balgay Road/Scott Street.    We raised this with the City Council and received the following feedback :

“Neighbourhood Services and the Roads Maintenance Partnership have completed their inspections of Balgay Park/Scott Street entrance. Below is their feedback :

Neighbourhood Services

The road surface to the inside of the Balgay Park falls within a promoted cycle route and a request has been submitted to Sustainable Transport Team seeking the possibility of resurfacing of this area due to the degradation experienced through general wear and tear, albeit I am pleased to confirm no actionable defect is present.    The park gate / barrier is in need of a repair and as such, repair work is in the process of being organised.

Roads Maintenance Partnership

The surrounding footways leading into Balgay Park are all in good condition with no actionable defect present.    The Scott Street carriageway is in a worn condition simply due to its use and age;   however no actionable defect is present.    Unfortunately due to ongoing funding cuts being passed down to the Roads Maintenance Partnership and the effects of hyperinflation, it is unlikely this carriageway will be resurfaced for the foreseeable future.”

Getting things done – Greater Balgay #dundeewestend

Residents recently highlighted to us that this large branch that broke off a tree at Balgay Hill during Storm Arwen. It was on the south side of the path near the observatory.

We raised this with environment management at the City Council and this has now been attended to.

At the council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee recently, Michael welcomed news that the council has secured £54 000 funding from “Woodlands in and about town” awards. This will allow for further forestry works, paths improvements and signage at Balgay.

Getting things done – Balgay Park #dundeewestend

Residents contacted us about the damage to the entrance pillar to Balgay Park and Hill at the Glamis Road side of the park. This was caused by a vehicle some weeks ago.

We asked our local environment manager for an update on progress with repairs and have received this helpful response :

“I can confirm that we are aware of damage that has occurred at the entrance of Balgay Cemetery Glamis Road, and this damage has been assessed by the Area Officer.

The Area Officer is currently making arrangements with department colleagues to remove the damage in the short term with a view to arranging a full repair of the pillar.”

Getting things done – Balgay Park #dundeewestend

Residents recently highlighted to me concerns about speeding motor bikes and scrambler bikes going through Balgay Park.

I raised this concern with both the City Council and Police Scotland and have received this helpful update from our local community police sergeant :

“Thank you for bringing the below to our attention.

We will bear this in mind when out on foot patrol and deal with any issues we come across in an appropriate fashion.

I have also advised the Divisional Road Policing Unit Inspector so that traffic vehicles can bear this area in mind when out on patrol.”

Balgay Bench #dundeewestend

A resident recently wrote to me :

“We were a bit bemused this morning as we walked through the old part of the Balgay cemetery. I know the council is big on keeping things au natural in way of cutting the grass etc but would just about need a machete to sit at this bench”

Good point!

I raised this with environment management and have received the following and helpful response :

“… will get the grass around this bench stimmed as soon as practical.”

Litter and rubbish concerns #dundeewestend

Over the weekend, I have had numerous concerns about a minority of people using our local parks in the lovely weather but leaving their rubbish behind them.
 
The photos below are just a few examples – from Lochee Park and Magdalen Green – and there were also examples on Balgay Hill.
 
I am grateful for the efforts of council environment staff over the weekend to clean this up and have reported concerns raised by residents.
 
Most people are sensible enough to use litter bins and tidy behind them and that’s the message residents would like everyone to take on board.
 

 

Balgay Hill road safety – an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that I recently had a meeting with a senior member of environment management at the City Council and with two Balgay Park regular users about safety concerns about the speed of some vehicles using the road up to the observatory.
 
I have now received feedback on actions council management has taken thus far following this meeting :
 
“Cleaning and signage,
The roads have been mechanically swept and the speed limit is clear to see from road markings and vertical signage. However to compliment this I still intend to add new signage at the entrance providing awareness and educational message. 
 
Following discussion with Leisure and Culture Dundee (LACD),  I also confirm that we plan to work together to improve directional signage leading to the observatory.
 
Barrier security, 
Due to operational requirements LACD employees open the barriers when they arrive for duty which is in advance of the public opening times as they have other duties to fulfil in the observatory, unfortunately it is not practical for members of staff to open and secure/close barrier as they come in and then have to come back to re open the barrier for the public opening times. Following discussion with my colleague at LACD I am in agreement that this most practical option available and I am happy to confirm most recent opening timings once received.
 
Speed bumps, 
Our officers have met with City Development engineers to gain advise on the type, placement and costs for the potential installation of speed bumps and await a response.  
 
Blocked areas, 
Upon inspection 2 locations which should have rock armour in place and had been moved for operation work requirements, these shall be replaced to ensure the area is blocked off to vehicles.  
Speeding/driver behaviour,
Information received regarding the vehicle speeding etc was passed to our LACD colleagues and understand this has been addressed.
 
I hope you find this information helpful and will come back to you once I have more information relating to the speed bumps.”
 
I have fed back some very useful feedback from park users to this response and welcome further feedback.   It is important that the safety issues are comprehensively tackled.

Getting things done – Greater Balgay #dundeewestend

I have had numerous concerns recently about the frequency of grass cutting and maintenance in Balgay Park, Victoria Park and Lochee Park and also the need to attend to overgrown bushes at the Victoria Park boundary with Jedburgh Road.
 
I took this up with the council’s Service Manager – Environment and he has now responded as follows :
 
“I can confirm that the grass at Victoria Park has now been cut. 
 
In terms of Lochee Park, to ensure the pitches are kept in a suitable standard for football we always endeavour to cut these weekly, the remainder of the park is cut on a fortnightly basis hence the grass is a bit longer in the non football areas cut rather than being of excessive length.
 
The hedge in Jedburgh Road is cut annually and is scheduled to commence at the start of next month.”

Friends of Balgay Autumn Meeting & AGM

The presentation at the Friends’ AGM yesterday
I was delighted to attend the Friends of Balgay Autumn Meeting & AGM yesterday afternoon at the Mills Observatory.
 
Liz Houghton from the Scottish Wildlife Trust gave a fascinating talk about urban wildlife, complete with a superb photographic presentation.
 
Its always a good sign when the turnout requires extra chairs to be found for all the attendees!    
 
I wish the Friends of Balgay committee every success in the forthcoming year.

Busy Saturday!

Yesterday, I was delighted to attend the Summer Meeting of the Friends of Balgay that took place at the Mills Observatory.
 
Robert Law of the observatory gave a very interesting presentation on the history of the observatory, followed by a tour.
 
The photo (right) is from the presentation and shows Robert at the telescope.
 
I was also delighted yesterday to attend the Pennycook and Sinderins Courts Sheltered Housing Coffee Morning at Pennycook Court – and, despite a little rain, was very well attended with excellent stalls – see photo below :