Blackness Avenue

Getting things done – postal deliveries in the Ancrum Drive area – an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that we recently highlighted concerns from residents about irregular/no delivery of post in Ancrum Drive and concerns that there may be no regular postal delivery worker for this round.

We raised this with the Public Affairs Team at Royal Mail HQ and have now received feedback from its Senior Public Affairs Manager as follows :

“I have spoken with the Customer Operations Lead who is responsible for the DD2 postcode area.

They confirmed that mail deliveries to addresses on Ancrum Drive are taking place six days a week when there is mail to delivery – this has been the case for last few weeks.

If this is not possible mail will be delivered the next working day.”

We have asked the residents who raised this to let us know if there are any further difficulties with deliveries in the coming weeks.

Separately, we have raised with Royal Mail concerns about the reliability of postal deliveries in part of Blackness Avenue, following concerns raised with us by residents.

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.”

Getting things done – Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

Residents have raised the uncared for state of the planters at the south end of Blackness Avenue near the Sinderins.

We raised this with the City Council and our local environment manager updated us as follows :

“I can inform that the planters at the foot of Blackness Avenue, Hawkhill side, have been cleared and, if not already done so, both planters will be restocked with new plants.

Once complete this will help improve the aesthetics of the area.”

Getting things done – Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

Residents have over a period of time asked for better crossing facilities well up Blackness Avenue from the pedestrian crossing at the Hawkhill junction.

Although there are significant vehicle movements, the number of pedestrian crossings means that that part of the street would not meet the criteria for a light-controlled pedestrian crossing.

We therefore requested consideration of the provision of an additional pedestrian refuge island to allow pedestrians to break their crossing half way across the busy street.

We are pleased to say this was agreed to and the Senior Engineer – Traffic & Road Safety at the City Council has updated us as follows :

“Here is the location of a pedestrian refuge island you had requested a while back within the area.After a good bit of investigating on a location this one the most suitable.”

We have marked it with a red X on the plan below. 
It will be just north of the junction with Lytton Street and is now being programmed into the future works programme. 

Feedback from the residents who raised this has been very positive, so a good outcome.

Bus diversions during Balgay Road/Blackness Road/Blackness Avenue junction works #dundeewestend

The road resurfacing and road safety work at the Balgay Road/Blackness Road/Blackness Avenue junction starts tomorrow – Wednesday 19th October.

The City Council has provided us with the following information about bus diversions during the roadworks :

“We will have Public Notices out at affected stops from Tuesday with diversion information for all services and Realtime displays within the closure will also be amended accordingly.

For this particular closure, the 73 will divert via West Park Road and Perth Road in both directions and therefore the 73 will not serve any stops between West Park Road and the bottom of Blackness Avenue.

Xplore Dundee diversions are as below –

Road closed: Blackness Road

Commencing: Wednesday 19 October

Scheduled duration: three days

Services affected: 6 | 17 | 22

UPDATED

Service 6

Towards Ninewells Hospital

Normal route to Blackness Avenue, then right into Hyndford Street, right into Blackness Road and left into Glenagnes Road. Resume normal route from Scott Street.

Towards City Centre

Normal route to Scott Street, then left into Glenagnes Road, right into Blackness Road and left into Seymour Street. Resume normal route from Blackness Avenue.

Service 17

Towards Whitfield

Normal route to Pentland Avenue, then left into Scott Street, right into Glenagnes Road, right into Blackness Road and left into Seymour Street. Resume normal route from Blackness Avenue.

Towards Ninewells Hospital

Normal route to Blackness Avenue, then right into Hyndford Street, right into Blackness Road, left into Glenagnes Road and left into Scott Street. Resume normal route from Pentland Avenue.

Service 22

Towards Craigowl

Normal route to Blackness Road, then right into West Park Road, left into Perth Road, left into Blackness Avenue and right into Hyndford Street. Resume normal route from Blackness Road.

Towards Ninewells Hospital

Normal route to Blackness Road, then left into Seymour Street, left into Blackness Avenue, right into Perth Road and right into West Park Road. Resume normal route from Blackness Road.

Getting things done – Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

I received concerns from residents recently that the real time information display in the bus shelter in Blackness Avenue near to Logie and St John’s (Cross) Church appeared not to be working.

I reported this to the City Council and the Senior Transport Officer has helpfully responded as follows :

“I have been out to site … and it appears that the display is on but has a backlighting failure.

We will ask an engineer to attend.”

Road lining issues at Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

Numerous residents have contacted me about the white lining that has been painted on the newly resurfaced Blackness Avenue at its junction with Hawkhill/Perth Road.   In their view – and mine – the left turn lane has been painted incorrectly and the disabled bay far too close to the junction.

I contacted the City Council towards the end of last week and last Friday was advised :

“I would confirm having been on site this morning that the lining works at the south end have not been completed with the left turn/straight ahead arrows still to be painted in the left lane. 

The reason they have not been painted so far is the parked vehicle in the exact spot where the paint has to go down. Once the vehicle is moved the directional markings can be completed.

To date all road markings are restored to their original locations when the surfacing is completed.”

The left lane marking was added later that day – but the situation is not in my view improved – see photos below – you can judge for yourself …Needless to say, I have gone back to council officers as the current lining is clearly incorrect. I have been advised by the Senior Engineer – Roads Maintenance Partnership as follows :

“I will get the designers to review the lining again and determine where the differences are. I will let you know the outcome asap.”

Old layout on Google Street View – clearly room for a left turn lane :

New layout – left turn lane effectively gone :

Bus diversions – Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

With the impending resurfacing of Blackness Avenue from next Monday (4th October), Services 17 (Xplore Dundee) and 73 and 204 (Stagecoach) will be temporarily re-routed as follows :

XPLORE DUNDEE :

🚧 Roadworks on Blackness Avenue (phase 1)

4th Oct onwards

  • Affected routes:
  • 17

Due to roadworks on Blackness Avenue (between Blackness Library and Seymour Street) for two weeks from Monday 4 October, service 17 will be diverted as follows:

Towards Whitfield: Normal route to Blackness Avenue, then via Hyndford Street and Perth Road. Normal route resumes from Perth Road.

Towards Ninewells Hospital: Normal route to Perth Road, then via Perth Road and Hyndford Street. Normal route resumes from Blackness Avenue.

🚧 Roadworks on Blackness Avenue (phase 2)

18th Oct onwards

  • Affected routes:
  • 17

Due to roadworks on Blackness Avenue (between Seymour Street and Blackness Road) for two weeks from Monday 18 October, service 17 will be diverted as follows:

Towards Whitfield: Normal route to Balgay Road, then via Blackness Road and Seymour Street. Normal route resumes from Blackness Avenue.

Towards Ninewells Hospital: Normal route to Blackness Avenue, then via Seymour Street and Blackness Road. Normal route resumes from Balgay Road.

STAGECOACH :

Road closure Blackness Avenue, Dundee

from Monday 4th October

Due to resurfacing works, Blackness Avenue, Dundee will be closed in two phases from 4 October 2021 for 4 weeks.

During the first phase the diversion for services 73 and 73A will be Perth Road – Hyndford Street – Blackness Avenue. Service 204 will divert Perth Road – Hyndford Street – Blackness Road.

During the second phase services 73 and 73A will divert from Blackness Avenue – Seymour Street – Blackness Road. Service 204 is unaffected during the second phase.

Temporary Traffic Order – Blackness Avenue


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 carriageway resurfacing works.  The Order is expected to be in force for 4 weeks from 4 October 2021.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months. 

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Blackness Avenue for its entire length.

The works will be completed in 2 separate phases: Phase 1 – Perth Road to Seymour Street (west side) and Phase 2 – Seymour Street (west side) to Blackness Road.  The entry to and exit from Seymour Street at its junction with Blackness Avenue will be prohibited during Phase 1 of the works.

An alternative route will be available via Hawkhill, Peddie Street, Blackness Road and in reverse. 

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or phone 433168.

Safety update – Balgay Road/Blackness Road and Avenue junction #dundeewestend

Further to the numerous concerns raised with me by residents following a number of accidents at the Balgay Road/Blackness Road and Avenue junction, I raised the matter with Traffic and Road Safety Team Leader at the City Council.

I am pleased to have now had the following helpful update :

“We have been out to this junction and have spoken to adjacent residents regarding the junction and they were quite informative. 

It is our intention to include this junction as a future road safety location and we will be looking to undertake additional measures to improve road safety for the travelling public.  

I cannot say what the measures will be but once we have had a more detailed look I will provide you with an updated situation when we have it.”

I also raised the matter at the council’s City Development Committee last night during a discussion about road safety.    
I am anxious to ensure that there is road safety work undertaken at this location as soon as possible.     Four accidents in as many months is a real concern and it is vital the issue is tackled.

At committee last night, I also raised residents’ requests to include Windsor Street in the adjacent 20mph zone.     I suggested the council go through the traffic regulation order process to consult residents and other stakeholders on this.    My proposal was unfortunately rejected 15-12, voted down by the SNP administration.

I also highlighted the need to include other West End sites for future 20mph zones and specifically mentioned the Logie area as many residents have said to me that they would welcome a lower speed limit in Logie given the narrow streets and number of elderly residents.   Officers did commit to give this consideration and this is to be welcomed.

Getting things done – Blackness Avenue #dundeewestend

Residents have highlighted to me recently that the road markings from the top of Blackness Avenue, from the junction with Blackness Road, south to just around the bend in the road by Hillcrest Road, are very worn.

There is a ‘hatchet” section in the middle of the road that has almost completely disappeared.

I raised this with the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following helpful response :

“An order has been raised for these road markings to be refreshed as soon as is feasible.”

West End road safety improvements

The City Council agreed to two road safety improvements in the West End some months ago – at the Blackness Road/Blackness Avenue junction and at the Perth Road/Riverside Drive junction.
 
I recently asked for an update on what was being proposed and the City Development Department has advised as follows :
“Blackness Road/Blackness Avenue Junction  :   Existing give way lines at Blackness Avenue to be removed and replaced further north towards Blackness Road.   This will improve sightlines with any parked cars along Blackness Road.   A requisition has been submitted for pricing to Tayside Contracts and we are currently awaiting the cost estimate.
Perth Road/Riverside Drive Junction :   Network Management is currently in consultation with activated signs suppliers to consider sign options.    This is to improve safety for road users travelling along Perth Road eastbound to highlight the junction and traffic merging from Perth Road westbound onto Riverside Drive north section/Perth Road.”

Tree replacements – Blackness Avenue

The City Council recently crowned a number of trees in Blackness Avenue that were requiring trimming and a small number were removed where the tree had either died off or the roots were causing a significant deal of damage to the footpath.
 
A number of residents have sought assurances that any removed trees will be replaced.   I took this up with the council’s Assistant Forestry Officer who advises :
 
“I can assure you and your constituents that replacement street tree planting at Blackness Avenue will be carried out with in the next tree planting season. 
 
The season will likely be between November 2015 to the end of March 2016. 
 
All trees that have been removed have had their stumps subject to grinding and back filled with top soil to create a tree pit for the new trees to be planted. 
 
There are one or two areas that are to be patched over, as per the site visit and agreement last year. 
 
All remaining tree pits within Blackness Avenue will be planted with a new street tree during this next planting season.”

Walkabout – Blackness/Corso/Abbotsford area

Yesterday, along with a representative from the Housing Department and a representative from the Environment Department, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness/Corso/Abbotsford area.

The six-monthly walkabouts take place in a number of areas (Pentland and Logie are other examples) and are a useful way to look at local issues and problems and ensure these are taken up and resolved.

Here’s a couple of photos of matters discussed yesterday, which also including bins/cleansing issues and overgrown trees in the area.

New improved street
lighting being installed
in the area
Pavement trip hazard at Peddie Street/
Abbotsford Place junction reported
for repair

Getting things done – Blackness Avenue

Further to last week’s Blackness walkabout that I undertook with council officers, I raised the poor condition of a tree bed in Blackness Avenue (see right) where the tree has been removed and a muddy trip hazard is left.
 
I asked the council’s Forestry Section if they could plant a replacement tree and tidy up the bed area.
 
I have now received the following response :

This years annual street tree survey will be carried out mid / late summer.   All empty tree pits will be identified for potential replacement planting during this survey.   My intention will be to replant in this tree pit and we will top dress with wood chip as a weed suppressant and reduce the trip hazard. 

At present there are provisional plans to carry out tree pruning and felling works in Blackness Avenue and planting works will be carried out next planting season. In the short term prior to planting season I will arrange for the pit to be top dressed with wood chip.

Blackness area walkabout

Yesterday, along with council officers from Housing and Community Safety Wardens, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness area.   The six-monthly walkabouts take place in a number of areas (Pentland and Logie are other examples) and are a useful way to look at local issues and problems and ensure these are taken up and resolved.
 
Here’s a couple of issues picked up from yesterday’s walkabout:
Eurobins in Peddie Street – I have raised the emptying schedule with the Environment Department
Tree bed in Blackness Avenue – now a muddy trip hazard since the removal of the tree – I have taken this up with the City Council

Wednesday activities

This morning, I had useful site visits with roads inspection staff from the City Council looking at poor pavement condition in part of Perth Road and also the poor conditioned road surface at the busy Balgay Road/Blackness Avenue/Blackness Road junction (see right).
 
With regard to this roads junction, I am pleased to say that the junction will be reinstated with work starting next Monday (12th May) – weather permitting.   The work will take a maximum of 2 days but might be completed in one day.   As temporary traffic lights will be required during the improvements work, these will be put in place only after the rush hour on Monday morning.
 
Later this morning, I had a very useful meeting with our new senior police officer for the West End (and the remainder of what the police term ‘Dundee South’) Inspector Gary Ogilvie, at which we discussed West End policing issues.
 
Earlier tonight,  I attended the Annual General Meeting of Community Spirit – the community group for the “north” part of West End Ward, covering Tullideph, Pentland, Ancrum and the Cleghorn area.   The meeting took place in the Mitchell Street Centre.
 
Guest speaker was Ian Ford of the Friends of Riverside Nature Park, who gave a very interesting presentation on the development of the park.    Thereafter, I had the pleasure of chairing the actual AGM part of the meeting.    Sandra Myles stood down as Chair after four very successful years in the role and we all thanked Sandra for all she has done for the group and the local area – I’m pleased to say Sandra will still be attending Community Spirit’s meetings.   
 
New Chair is George Chalmers and Len Jamieson is continuing as Secretary.
 
One final update for today.   Residents complained to me that the dog bin in Logie Avenue at Ashbank Road was “rather full” – as you can see (left) that’s rather an understatement!   The Environment Department has assured me this will be urgently tidied.

Getting things done – Blackness Avenue, Hyndford Street and Seymour Street

Residents have brought to my attention that fact that some of the gullies at road edges in Blackness Avenue, Hyndford Street and Seymour Street are full and blocked.   I reported this to the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership who have advised:
 
“Gullies are cleaned on cyclic maintenance with a frequency of approximately twice per eighteen months with particular attention given to gullies at low points. The gullies in the area will be checked by the Road Maintenance Partnership inspector who will arrange for an additional emptying if required. This will be done as soon as resources are available.”

Blackness area walkabout

Abbotsford Street
This morning, along with the council’s Housing Officer for the area officers from the City Development and Environment Departments and one of my ward colleagues, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness area – in particular, Corso Street, Abbotsford Place, Blackness Road, Peddie Street, Blackness Avenue and Abbotsford Street – to look at any local issues.
 
We undertake these walkabouts in several areas every six months to ascertain any local issues or problems and ensure action is taken thereafter to deal with them.
 
A walkabout for the Logie area takes place later this week and one for Pentland next week.

Blackness Walkabout

This morning, along with the council’s Housing Officer for the area and two community safety wardens, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness area – in particular, Corso Street, Abbotsford Place, Blackness Road, Peddie Street, Blackness Avenue and Abbotsford Street – to look at any local issues.
A number were highlighted, including the damaged bin store behind the tenements on Blackness Road (see above right) bin collections and similar issues.

Update on Hawkhill situation …

Further to my article earlier today and the item in this morning’s Courier about the situation in Hawkhill, Scottish & Southern Energy has now updated me as follows:
 
“I can confirm that the excavation at Hawkhill is being re-instated this morning.  The road closure was kept in place over the weekend due to the quarry being closed and we were unable to get hot tar. 
 
I can confirm that these works will be completed by today.” 

Concern raised over handling of Hawkhill power cut issue

On Friday morning, without notification to residents, a squad from Scottish and Southern Energy appeared on Hawkhill near the Sinderins junction and set up a road lane closure, temporary pedestrian arrangements and temporary removal of a well-used bus stop, in order to attend to a power cut problem affecting some adjacent properties into Blackness Avenue.    However, although the road, pedestrian and bus stop restrictions remain in place, no work has taken place over the weekend.
 
Whilst residents and I appreciate the temporary road and pavement restrictions were necessary on Friday, it appears the work was abandoned on Friday afternoon and the restrictions have remain pointlessly in place over the weekend.    
 
My concern about this is that, as a result, the lane closure and unsatisfactory pedestrian temporary walkway will be in place during the rush hour this morning at this very busy bus route into the city centre.   Children going to Blackness Primary School use the pavements on this stretch of Hawkhill and the school term starts this morning.
 
I have asked Scottish and Southern Energy why the road and pavement restriction remains in place and why no work was carried out over the weekend to get it removed before the Monday rush-hour.  I have also sought an assurance that the works will be completed and the barriers removed urgently.

Action on slippy leaves …

Last week, following concerns from sheltered tenants, I asked the City Council Environment Department to clean up wet, slippy leaves at the Blackness Avenue end of Abbotsford Place and – with thanks – the department attended to this extremely efficiently.
 
On Sunday, an elderly lady slipped on leaves on Logie Avenue at the junction with Birchwood Place – see photo of the area – right.
 
Thankfully the lady managed to steady herself and was not injured, but I have asked the council to clean up the leaves here.
 
The City Council advises me that an instruction has gone out to all street sweepers to tackle leaves on pavements and this is to be welcomed.

West End Wednesday …

Yesterday, I took part in a site visit with the Head of Transportation and a Senior City Council Engineer at the junction of Balgay Road/Blackness Road/Blackness Avenue – see right.   Last year, I welcomed proposed road safety improvements at this junction as constituents have mentioned what a difficult junction this is – very busy and many vehicles making right turns.

 
Lining to the west on Blackness Road has been altered to improve vehicle movements coming towards the junction and council officers assured me that its effectiveness will be monitored in the coming months.
 
I also had the pleasure of a walk round the improvements underway at Blackness Primary School that include new window blinds, new lighting, staffroom refurbishment, new junkers timer sports floor in the gym – see right, wood treatment, windows improvements and improvements to the entrance and main stairwell.    I had previously queried the cost of new cleaners’ cupboards and this was reviewed and reduced in cost I was pleased to note.  
 
Also yesterday, I attended a presentation by the Managing Director of Tayside Contracts that was well-attended by councillors and senior council officers.   The presentation was extremely interesting and emphasised the importance of shared service provision at a time of real financial challenge for the public sector.

Walkabout – Blackness area

A foggy Abbotsford Street
Yesterday, along with Housing and Environment Department Officers and representatives of Blackness Area Housing Association, I took part in a walkabout around the Blackness area – in particular, Corso Street, Abbotsford Place, Blackness Road, Peddie Street, Blackness Avenue and Abbotsford Street – to look at any local issues such as graffiti, road condition, bins collection, buildings repairs and similar issues.

It was a very foggy and rather cold morning – see right! – but a most productive walkabout, with several local problems being highlighted.

City Council meeting tonight

Road safety improvements welcomed
Tonight saw the last City Council committee meetings prior to the summer recess and there was a substantial amount of business on agendas.    

At City Development Committee, I welcomed the proposal that the Blackness Road/Blackness Avenue/Balgay Road junction (see right) will be subject to road safety improvements over the next year.   Many constituents have mentioned what a difficult junction this is – very busy and many vehicles making right turns – so the proposal to improve the junction is good news.    At the same committee, I asked questions about a possible Business Improvement District for the City Centre and I also asked about roads condition in Dundee.

At Policy and Resources Committee, the Liberal Democrats supported a Labour amendment that tried to stop the City Council moving its postal arrangements away from Royal Mail.   This was defeated by the SNP administration, who have moved council postal services to a private sector operator.   It is ironic that the SNP regularly express concern over the future of Royal Mail, then undertakes its own little version of mail privatisation.

At the same committee, I also asked for assurances over a corporate review of council charges to ensure that low paid workers receiving Working Tax Credit receive concessionary rates as well as others on low income.

Road safety success at Sinderins

I’m pleased to see that, following my last update about pedestrian safety at the Blackness Avenue/Hawkhill junction, the City Council has erected the agreed six bollards at the footpath edge on Blackness Avenue and immediately to the east on Hawkhill.

These will emphasise to drivers not to drive too close to the pavement along Hawkhill, where pupils are walking to and from school.