Blackness Road

Call for urgent progress on replacement West End housing #dundeewestend

As reported in yesterday’s “Evening Telegraph”, we have called on Dundee City Council to make urgent progress on promised replacement housing in Blackness Road, following the demolition of 27 Victorian flats three years ago given the state of their external stairwells.

The original housing at 219-245 Blackness Road was demolished in spring 2021 and at the time the council promised to deliver a £4.5 million project to build 24 modern apartments.

Three years on, despite planning consent, building has yet to commence and we have said the council must urgently make good on its promise to build the replacement housing.

Michael said :

“I have now been a member of the council for almost two years and I have been extremely disappointed with the lack of progress in building the promised replacement Blackness Road flats.

“This appears to be down to the Scottish Government’s cuts to the housing capital budget and I am anxious that the funding gap is filled urgently and the new housing now built as soon as possible.”

The council’s Interim Head of Housing and Construction has advised us :

“We have received a commitment to £215,856 of extra funding as a result of our request (to Scottish Government).

However, as this is £2,029,943 less than we had applied for I am now working with colleagues in City Development to carry out an options appraisal on possible ways forward for this site, with a view to reporting back to the appropriate committee as soon as possible.”

Fraser added, “The decision to demolish the original housing and build modern housing in its place was a difficult and controversial one and it was reluctantly taken because of the significant cost of replacing the external stairwells. Some of the original flats were in good condition but the ground floor bedsits were not.

“We have been chasing up progress on the replacement modern flats for some time and are alarmed at the lack of progress which appears to be down to the SNP Scottish Government cutting housing capital budgets. This needs to be urgently rectified.“A promise is a promise and the community was given a commitment to 26 new apartments on this site in Blackness Road – these must be delivered ASAP.”

The Scottish Government’s housing capital budget was slashed by some 26% by Depute First Minister and Finance Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison in the government’s latest budget – the Blackness flats project is just one example of the impact on new affordable house building of this decision.

The council’s Interim Head of Housing and Construction further advised us :

“Although I am not able to provide you with a definitive position re this development at this point, please be assured that we are working away on options to deliver these properties. Given the unit costs for this development we are looking at the options for obtaining improved value for money and /or attracting alternative sources of funding.

I will of course update you as soon as I am in a position to inform you of the outcome of our options appraisal.”

Michael concluded, “Fraser and I are adamant that Dundee City Council must make progress on this new build housing project as soon as possible. The site has been sitting empty for three years at a time there are well over 7000 people in the city on the housing waiting list.

“The culprit here is the huge cut to the Scottish Government’s capital budget and it is vitally important that the funding gap for this housing build project in Blackness Road is bridged as a matter of urgency and the new flats built and offered to some of the many people on Dundee’s housing waiting list.”

Blackness Road of old #dundeewestend

With thanks to Margaret Speed and Dundonian History for all, a great photograph of a confectioner and fruiterer shop was located on Blackness Road, between Blackness Primary School (now Blackness Road Home Group amenity housing) and Logie Secondary School (now the West End Campus).

It closed during the 1950s.

Temporary Traffic Order – Blackness Road


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 central island and duct installation works. The Order is expected to be in force for four weeks from 18 September 2023. 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 Road between Rosefield Street and Rosefield Place.

An alternative route will be available northbound via Blackness Road, Bellfield Street, Hawkhill, Blackness Avenue and Blackness Road.

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or call Dundee 433082.

Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Last summer, the pavement between Elliot Road and Kelso Steps on the north side of Blackness Road was resurfaced.

At that time, residents asked if the remainder of the footpaths in that vicinity would also be resurfaced within a reasonable timescale and we were given assurances at that time that further improvements were planned.

We therefore recently asked the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership for an update and have received the following helpful response :

“The second phase of the footpath works is indeed still planned for this summer.   We only started the Slurry Works a few weeks ago due to other works taking priority.   It is still in the programme for this year.”

Temporary traffic order – Blackness Road

From the City Council :

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 Blackness Road (from Glenagnes Road to approx. 100metres west), Dundee.
This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 4 July 2023 for one day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Balgay Road / Scott Street / Glenagnes Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Rosemary Matheson-Dear art exhibition #dundeewestend

Yesterday, we had the great pleasure of visiting the fascinating exhibition of the artwork of the late Rosemary Matheson-Dear.

Rosemary’s prolific artwork going back to 1947 shows her great talent and the exhibition is well worth a visit. Rosemary and Denis Matheson-Dear were much respected West End residents and great supporters of Harris Academy over many years.

The exhibition is open again today – Sunday 26th March – from 10am to 4pm at 324 Blackness Road. Entrance is £5 and proceeds of the exhibition will go to the Guide Dogs charity.

We are pictured with Jonathan Matheson-Dear, one of Rosemary’s sons, at the exhibition.

Getting things done – Riverside Approach and Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Fraser is pictured at Riverside Approach where we have long campaigned for a proper pedestrian crossing, given the number of pedestrians including children and elderly folk crossing between the Roseangle playpark and Magdalen Green crossing here.

At the council’s City Development Committee recently, councillors unanimously agreed to alter the long-standing pv2 pedestrian crossing assessment for the provision of pedestrian crossings to better take account of pedestrian movements including those of young people, people with mobility difficulties, etc.

At committee :

👉  Michael asked if this would improve the chances of getting a crossing in Riverside Approach.

👉  Fraser asked if the chances of a proper crossing on Blackness Road at the Kelso steps would be improved.    This is another location where many residents have highlighted the need for a crossing given the number of folk crossing to get to Royal Victoria Hospital and also the significant number of Harris Academy and Blackness Primary School pupils crossing.

We were assured that all historic pv2 pedestrian crossing assessments will be reassessed using the new criteria and we hope this will result in more pedestrian crossings being provided including at Riverside Approach and Blackness Road.

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.

Blackness Road / Blackness Avenue / Balgay Road junction safety and resurfacing update #dundeewestend

Further to our August update on planned road safety improvements at the Blackness Road / Blackness Avenue / Balgay Road junction, we can advise this work will take place starting next Wednesday – 19th October.

The junction will be closed from Wednesday for three days to allow the safety work to be completed and road resurfacing works to be undertaken across the junction.

Residents will have noted that preliminary electrics works for the new electronic signage have already started.

Here is the Temporary Traffic Order from the City Council :

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 road safety improvement and resurfacing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Blackness Road (at its junction with Balgay Road and Blackness Avenue), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 19 October 2022 for 3 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via City Road / Scott Street / Glenagnes Road / Blackness Road / Bellfield Street / Hawkhill / Perth Road / Glamis Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Getting things done – Blackness Road – an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that we have campaigned for Blackness Road / Blackness Avenue / Balgay Road junction road safety improvements following a number of accidents at the junction.

We have now been advised of the detail of the council’s road safety improvements.   Please see image of these.

The council’s road safety team leader has further advised :

“The main body of the works and completion are currently programmed for the month of September.

Exact date of these works to be clarified later once I receive an update from our contractors.”

Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

I recently received complaints that the road surface is poor at the junction where Blackness Road meets Balgay Road/Blackness Avenue.

I raised this with the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have had the following helpful response :

“Bailie Macpherson

Thank you for your email. This location has been identified for structural inlay hopefully next financial year.”

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 Road #dundeewestend

During the recent demolition works at 219-245 Blackness Road, the bus stop at the Ashbank Road junction for services towards the City Centre has been out of action for safety reasons.

Now the demolition works are nearly complete – and it will be some time before the new build will commence – many residents have asked when the bus stop will be back in action. It is used by many people from the Blackness and Logie areas and a fair walk to the next nearest stop.

I took this matter up with the City Council and the Senior Transport Officer in Parking & Sustainable Transport updated me yesterday as follows :

“We’ve had a further update from the contractor regarding the above works, they’ve confirmed that the site hoarding is being finalised today/ tomorrow and that they’ll clean up, remove fencing, and off hire the pedestrian crossings on Thursday/ Friday.

I’ll visit the site on Friday and once clear, will request that the bus stop at Seymour Street is served again.”

The removal of the temporary traffic/pedestrian lights is also welcome and I am also grateful for the council’s very prompt action on Monday when a safety concern about their operation was raised by me on behalf of residents.

Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

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.”

Bike rack provision in the West End #dundeewestend

Towards the end of last year, the City Council’s Outdoor Access Officer discussed possible improvements to bike racks provision in Perth Road and Blackness Road, something many local residents have said would assist local cyclists.

Sites were discussed and agreed but, meantime, the health emergency rather got in the way of these being installed.

I recently asked the Outdoor Access Officer for an update and have received the following positive response :

“I was in touch with the contractor about a week ago, and he was intending to get the racks installed this month.  

You will remember this will install one stand at the Spar, one at the front of Sainsbury’s and a rack of 4 stands at the library on the Perth Road. There was also a stand to go in near the Chemists at Blackness Road.

I hope this helps at the locations your constituent visits.

As you say the main delay to these being installed was the Covid-19 situation.”

Temporary traffic order – Blackness Road


From the City Council :

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 BT cable repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Blackness Road (from its junction with Bellfield Street to approx. 25 metres east), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 19 October for 3 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available Bellfield Street / Hawkhill / Horsewater Wynd / Guthrie Street / Urquhart Street / Blackness Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently highlighted concerns that a TV aerial on a tenement on Blackness Road was hanging precariously. Given the potentially disastrous consequences if it fell onto the busy road and pavement below, I immediately contacted the City Council about this.


A Building Standards officer very promptly updated me as follows :


“I attended the property … (and) it was noted when on site that the aerial attached to the tenement building appeared loose and was hanging over the footway.
I contacted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to allow access to the aerial and review the condition.
On closer inspection the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the aerial was firmly attached to building with wires at the base.
The fire brigade rotated the aerial back over the building.”


I am grateful to both the City Council officers and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for its very prompt response in resolving this.

Getting things done – Blackness Road, Glamis Road, Glamis Drive #dundeewestend

 

Residents recently contacted about an advertising hoarding on the Blackness Road, Glamis Road, Glamis Drive roundabout.

As one resident put it :

“I was very upset this morning at the sight of a bright pink advertising hoarding facing my garden from the Glamis Rd/Blackness Rd Circle.   This erection went up overnight with no notification that it was going to be erected and no opportunity to discuss the issues.   The circle has recently been improved visually with a tree and plants and it is now totally spoilt by the use of the circle for adverts.”

I am all for the council seeking advertising revenue from roundabout sponsorship at locations like the city centre/shopping and business areas but not where it is immediately adjacent to residential housing and asked the City Council’s Head of Planning and Economic Development is this could be removed.

I am pleased to say he has responded positively as follows :

“I can confirm that the signs on the Blackness Road/Glamis Road roundabout will be removed.  I anticipate that the works will be undertaken over the next two weeks.”

Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

A resident recently contacted me about the bus stop in Blackness Road near the Ashbank Road junction, indicating :
 
“As an elderly resident of Ashbank Road I suffered heavy rain and very cold wind for nearly ten minutes waiting for a no. 22 bus. 
 
As there are bus shelters at the next couple of stops is it not possible for one to erected at Ashbank Road?”
 
This is a good point and I have asked Dundee City Council if it can consider a bus shelter at this location.

Temporary traffic order – Blackness Road

From the City Council :
 
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 surface dressing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Blackness Road (Glamis Road to Blackness Avenue), Dundee.
 
This notice comes into effect on Saturday 22 June 2019 from 12 noon to 4pm.
 
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
 
Alternative routes are available via Glamis Road / Perth Road / Blackness Avenue.
 
For further information contact 433082.
 
Head of Roads and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Temporary Traffic Order – Blackness Road

From the City Council :
 
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 carriageway patching works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Blackness Road (from Glamis Road to Blackness Avenue), Dundee.
 
This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 5th June 2019 for 5 working days.
 
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
 
Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Glamis Road / Perth Road / Blackness Avenue and reverse
 
For further information contact 433168.
 
Executive Director of City Development
Dundee City Council
 
(The diversion routes can be viewed here)

Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Many residents have contacted me concerned about the need for a better road surface in parts of Blackness Road.

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

“Blackness Road from Glamis Road to Glenagnes Road has been identified for possible inclusion on the 2019/2020 Carriageway Programme for surface dressing subject to available funding.”

Blackness Post Office – electronic door entry #dundeewestend

Residents have reported concerns that the electronic door entry button at Blackness Post Office, to assist customers with mobility difficulties, is still not working and so I again took this up with Post Office Limited.
 
The company’s External Affairs Manager has responded positively as follows 
 
“Thank you for getting in touch in relation to the door entry button at Blackness Road Post Office. 
 
I have asked the field team to raise this issue with the postmaster. You may know that the vast majority of our post offices are operated by independent agents. As such Post Office ltd is not responsible for the building. 
 
Before we issue a contact which allows agents to provide services, we do insist on certain things such as the building being accessible for people with disabilities. This usually means that the branch needs to be DDA compliant. I don’t believe such a button comes under this legislation. 
 
Therefore whilst we can ask and encourage the postmaster to take action, we unfortunately cannot insist on such action being taken as it doesn’t breach any contractual issues. 
 
That said we will impress on the postmaster the importance of getting this fixed and the inconvenience it is causing customers.”

Scottish Water works Blackness Road – bus stops #dundeewestend

A number of constituents have commented to me about the lack of temporary bus stops on Blackness Road during the Scottish Water temporary works.
 
I contacted the City Council’s transportation team about this and have been advused as follows :
 
“The extent of the works is temporary traffic lights contained within the area between Forest Park Road and Rosefield Street. 
As a result two bus stops are affected, namely Blackness Road opp Forest Park Road and Blackness Road opp Annfield Street.
The contractor has displayed signs informing passengers that both bus stops are out of use.
A temporary stop cannot be erected in place of either bus stop due to safety. Installing stops to the east would mean buses stopping outside the Fire Station, or close to a bend, which are also close to an excavation and in an area which has limited footway close to the carriageway. 
Furthermore temporary stops cannot be installed to the west, as this area is still confined within the works, and installing stops outside the works area would mean they were too close to existing bus stops.
Passengers should instead use existing bus stops, Blackness Road opp Peddie Street and near Abbotsford Street which are both approximately 250-300m west of the bus stops which are out of use.”


Scottish Water’s Corporate Affairs Officer advised me earlier this week that :

“The original timescale was 2 weeks from 9th October.  I would fully expect all works to be completed by end of play Sunday 22nd October.”

Temporary Traffic Order – Blackness Road Area

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 Scottish Water mains renewal works.  The Order is expected to be in force for 2 weeks from 9 October 2017.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.
 
The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all (1) a left turn into Blackness Road from Rosefield Street, (2) a left turn into Blackness Road from Rosefield Place and (3) all vehicular traffic in Annfield Road between Blackness Road and Annfield Street.
 
Pedestrian access and vehicular access to premises will be maintained where possible.  All closures will run simultaneously.
 
An alternative route will be available via (1 & 2) Blackness Road, Peddie Street, Hawkhill and Bellfield Street and (3) Annfield Street, Peddie Street and Blackness Road.
 
Any queries should be directed to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS – 433082.