Real Time Information – City Centre

At this week’s West End Community Council meeting, concern was expressed that the real time bus information in Commercial Street was not working.    I reported this to the City Council and have now been advised :

“One of the real time display screens at the bus shelters outside Waterstones was temporarily out of order (for about 3 days or so) but it has now been repaired and both displays are working.”

I have also reiterated the need to get all real time information at shelters across the city where they are still not working repaired as soon as possible.

Latest West End & City Centre news

An extremely busy week dealing with issues right across the West End and City Centre areas.

On Tuesday, we had a site visit to Magdalen Green with residents, representatives from the embryonic “Friends of Magdalen Green” group, the Police and Leisure & Communities staff to look at the parking problems.

Additionally, good news – the Planning & Transportation Department has agreed to my request for a further speed/traffic safety survey in Magdalen Yard Road, following up on that last one carried out in 2004.

I also asked that the bus shelter on Perth Road at the Invercarse get side panels as the current shelter (at an exposed site) affords little protection from the elements. Here’s the positive response back from Planning & Transportation …

“We adhered to ensuring a remaining footway width of 1500mm at all sites, however we have been given clearance to reduce this to 1000mm at certain locations and intend to revisit all shelters with no side panels (which also means no seats!) and consider installing small 600mm returns. The shelter maintenance contractor has been asked to provide quotations and we will take it from there …I will ask … to ensure that this location is considered early days.”

And with regard to the need for real time bus information in the Commercial Street shelters that I had requested, the department continues …

“Also as a brief update, Adshel (Clearchannel) have now been approved by P&T committee as advertising shelter partners and I have asked them to consider the Commercial Street shelters for inclusion of Real Time Information and poster panels.”

Lastly, a very useful meeting with Stagecoach Strathtay and Planning & Transportation on Thursday about the No 72 bus service (along with Cllr Nigel Don, part of whose ward – Gowrie Park – is served by the service as well as my own West End area). It is hoped to review the service later in the Spring – I am very keen to see it serve Richmond Terrace/Court and that the mid-afternoon ‘gap’ in the service issue is resolved.

Wednesday and Today!

The noise problem near the rail bridge raised its head again yesterday and Network Rail swiftly undertook noise surveying yesterday afternoon; hopefully matters will be satisfactorily resolved very soon. A meeting with City Council Environmental Health, Network Rail, Police & others takes place tomorrow.

I understand that the public inquiry in respect of the Tay Rope Works planning application (of which I moved refusal, with considerable backing from local residents) will take place over three days this June.

With regard to the damaged pole in Paton’s Lane I reported earlier (click on headline above to view original story) I had the following feedback from the City Council’s Planning & Transportation Department yesterday:

“The road inspector for the area confirmed that the pole was removed yesterday (06/02) and the footway repaired. The pole will not be re-erected as the “No Waiting” plate is not required to enforce the double yellow line parking restrictions.”

And … good news received by e-mail also yesterday on Commercial Street trees! :

“This is a quick e-mail to let you know that trees seem to have popped up overnight outside the Children’s Hearings Centre at the bottom of Commercial Street. Thanks again for all your campaigning and endless letter etc. to the utilities companies!”

Commercial Street Car Park

Further to previous mentions about the impending car park closure due to the rail tunnel works, received this from the Director of Planning & Transportation this morning :

“We do now seem to have a compromise which means that although the car park will be closed next week, it will then partially re-open with 40 to 50 spaces until Christmas and then it will be completely open between Christmas and New Year. It will then close completely after New Year.”

Very pleased about this as it will be helpful to traders and residents alike during the festive period.

Planning inquiry, Scottish Parliament, Car Parking

Spent Thursday morning at the Invercase Hotel as the Council’s witness in relation to a planning inquiry (about a West End planning application) and thereafter to Edinburgh for a reception at the Scottish Parliament – day job – European valuers visiting Edinburgh. A few photos below!

Spoke with the City Engineers today about their proposed closure of the car park at the bottom of Commercial Street (at Tay Road Bridge) from 27th November, following one of the local businesses contacting me late yesterday. The closure is as a result of the rail tunnel strengthening works, which will take a year to complete. Unfortunately because of the Scottish Parliament event, I couldn’t attend Thursday’s City Centre & Harbour Community Council meeting, but I’ve updated the committee by e-mail about the car park issue.

Below : Andrew Arbuckle MSP welcomes the visitors –

Below : Welcome to the Scottish Parliament!

Below : Fraser, MSP for 60 seconds! NB : Absolutely never going to happen for real!

BARA success and City Centre roadway restrictions.

Good news reported at the Blackness Area Residents’ Association meeting last night was its success in getting nearly £6000 in lottery funding for a community project. This will allow the group to buy a high-tech cinema-style projection TV/DVD system to allow them to, for example, run film shows for the local residents at the Corso Street sheltered lounge. The Lord Provost will be presenting them with their award at the City Chambers next Thursday.

Been advised by the City Engineer’s Department that, due to patching of the roadway in Commercial Street, it will result in two days’ road closure of Exchange Street between Castle Street and Commercial Street; also the nearby part of Dock Street will be closed westbound (paart from buses and taxis). Local access and pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout.

And also … to quote the traffic order :-

“Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating the Continental Market and the Christmas Lights switch on event. The Order is expected to be in force for eleven days from 16 November 2006. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

“The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in (a) High Street between Castle Street and Crichton Street, (b) Commercial Street between Seagate and Murraygate and (c) Castle Street between High Street and Exchange Street.

“Commercial Street and Castle Street will be closed on Sunday 19 November 2006 only. Access to Exchange Street will be maintained via Commercial Street, Dock Street and Castle Street. Alternative routes for vehicles will be available via Seagate and the inner ring road.”

As always, queries about road closures etc can be made to the City Council Planning & Transportation Department on 433168.