Lochee Road

Temporary traffic order – Lochee Road layby

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 subsidence investigation and carriageway repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Lochee Road Layby (layby area near junction with Polepark Road), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 4 March 2024 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

No alternative routes for vehicles are available.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Getting things done – Lochee Road/Cleghorn Street #dundeewestend

Following the changes to junction arrangements at Lochee Road/Cleghorn Street to prevent some right turns, numerous constituents have contacted me about the need for better signage and also to ensure close monitoring of the junction.

Following my raising this with the City Council, the road safety team leader has undertaken a site visit to the junction and monitoring will continue.

However, if you are going to have signage to highlight the situation – at least get the name of Cleghorn Street correct! I raised this error with the road safety team leader who has replied as follows :

“I will pass it on to the contractor to correct.”

Temporary Traffic Order – Lochee Road and Cleghorn Street

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 road safety improvement works. The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 7 March 2022. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily for all vehicular traffic (1) the right turn into Cleghorn Street for southbound traffic on Lochee Road, (2) the right turn into Rankine Street for northbound traffic on Lochee Road and (3) the right turn into Lochee Road from Cleghorn Street.

Parking at Lochee Road will be prohibited during the works.

An alternative route will be available via Lochee Road, Logie Street, Loons Road, Gardner Street and Rankine Street.

For more details, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or call 433082.

Proposed Lochee Road/Cleghorn Street road safety improvements – an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that some months ago, I gave an update on proposed road safety improvements at the junction of Cleghorn Street and Lochee Road.

Following a number of minor accidents at the junction and my request to the then Director of City Development some time ago to improve safety and tailbacks at the junction, it was agreed to include the junction for a safety audit and implement any resulting improvements recommended.

The council is now are proposing to install a section of central island on Lochee Road adjacent to Cleghorn Street, thus preventing any right hand turning movements into Cleghorn Street heading inbound to city centre. 

Also there will be no right-hand movements out of Cleghorn Street onto Lochee Road inbound to city centre.

I have now been advised that the works should be undertaken in the first half of March and full details will appear on the weekly road report in due course as there will be diversions in place to allow the works to take place at this very busy location.

Temporary Traffic Order – Lochee Road and North Marketgait


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 retaining wall repair works. The Order is expected to be in force for 15 months from 11 October 2021. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all pedestrian traffic in North Marketgait and Lochee Road from Parker Street to a point 100 metres or thereby west of Dudhope Roundabout.

An alternative route for pedestrians will be available via Lochee Road, West Marketgait and North Marketgait.

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

Getting things done – Lochee Road and Mitchell Street #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently highlighted to me the significant damage to the community noticeboard at the Mitchell Street Centre – situated at the junction of Lochee Road and Mitchell Street.

I raised this with the City Council and have since had the following helpful feedback :

“I can confirm that an order was processed for our blacksmith and joiner to carry out required repairs.”

Getting things done – Lochee Road #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who contacted me about a pole with parking sign on Lochee Road that had fallen over – not vandalism – rust at its base!

I contacted the City Council about it to get the old pole removed and a new one installed and have received the following helpful feedback :

“The sign and pole will have to be replaced and reinstated as the sign is there to inform drivers of the parking regulations that are currently in place.  

The Roads Maintenance Partnership will have to reinstate a new pole to replace the rusty one.”

Proposed Lochee Road/Cleghorn Street road safety improvements #dundeewestend

As residents know, I have long campaigned for road safety improvements at the junction of Cleghorn Street and Lochee Road.

There have been a number of minor accidents at the junction and, following my request to the then Director of City Development some time ago, it was agreed to include the junction for a safety audit and any resulting improvements.

The feedback from residents has been that the right turn out of Cleghorn Street into Lochee Road is a potential safety issue.    It also, at busy times, leads to tailbacks at the junction in Cleghorn Street, in an area of  known and long-standing air quality problems.

I am therefore pleased to advise that, yesterday, the City Council updated me as follows :

“Please find attached a drawing showing road safety improvement proposals for Lochee Road/Cleghorn Street junction. 

We are proposing to install a section of central island on Lochee Road adjacent to Cleghorn Street, thus preventing any right hand turning movements into Cleghorn Street heading inbound to city centre. Also there will be no right-hand movements out of Cleghorn Street onto Lochee Road inbound to city centre. 

These works will hopefully be carried out with the next few months barring any more future lock down restrictions.”

This is a sensible improvement and I have been assured I will be kept informed on timescales and will keep residents updated.

Getting things done – Ancrum Road and Lochee Road #dundeewestend

A number of residents recently contacted me about blocked road drains in parts of Ancrum Road and Lochee Road.    As one resident advised :

“I was driving up Lochee Road and Ancrum Road earlier this afternoon and the road gullies were all choked and the roads and footpaths were all severely flooded.”

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

“The roads inspector has raised an order for five gullies to be cleared as soon as resources are available.”   

Lochee Road update #dundeewestend

I have welcomed a commitment by Dundee City Council to ensure a redesign of the Lochee Road junctions at Polepark Road and Dudhope Terrace is undertaken, something I have long called for.     This would help to make improvements in air quality in an area of significant air quality concern.

As residents know, I have long campaigned on air quality issues, particularly in relation to Lochee Road, where, as recently as January 2020, I again highlighted my deep concern that, yet again, Friends of the Earth had highlighted air quality concerns in Lochee Road in its Scotland’s most polluted streets survey with Seagate in the city also highlighted in the January national air quality survey.   

At the council’s Community Safety and Community Protection Committee in September, I again called for the council to look again at the design of the junctions of Lochee Road at Polepark Road and Dudhope Terrace because more efficient vehicle movements will stop the tailbacks that have plagued the area over many years, and so help reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.

I am very pleased to be have been recently advised by the council that it is now to look at redesigning the junctions here.      

Although there has obviously been a reduction in vehicles using Lochee Road during the COVID-19 health emergency and a resulting improvement in air quality measurements, it is vital that, as we hopefully see the health emergency end in the not too distant future, we don’t see a return to large tailbacks of vehicles at rush hour at Lochee Road, Dudhope Terrace, Polepark Road and Rankine Street, resulting in the air quality gains in 2020 being lost.    

I am therefore pleased the council has taken on board my request to tackle the roads issues at this busy location.

The council’s Head of Sustainable Transport & Roads advised councillors : 

“The Dudhope Terrace and Polepark Road junctions are constrained in their efficiency by junction configuration and road space, which combined govern the junction capacity.  To achieve increased capacity, reduce congestion, and improve air quality, it is considered a junction redesign is required which can also accommodate improved bus priority and active travel provision. Enhanced capacity and traffic flow through the junctions will improve air quality through reduction of vehicle queuing and associated waiting times. 

Investment in junction improvements on this principal route corridor will redress displacement of traffic on adjoining roads seeking to deviate from the route at points of congestion.  In addition to road safety and place making considerations, enhancing the favourability of the Lochee Road corridor arterial route over adjoining roads will benefit the overall network traffic flow and resultant neighbourhood air quality.

Due to the urban constraints of the site, upgrade of the junctions would require significant engineering works and a preliminary road layout improvement proposal is being prepared which will be reported to the City Development Committee in mid-2021.  The progression of an improvement project would be subject to the Council securing sufficient funding to develop a proposal.”

Additionally,  an earlier commitment to look at the functioning of the nearby Cleghorn Street/Lochee Road junction following vehicle accidents is also welcome.

Redesigning these junctions is not the only way the air quality issue can be helped – the proposed low emission zone in the city centre should also assist streets like Lochee Road adjacent to it.   

We all agree it is vital there is a proactive approach to tackling the air quality issue.   A significant number of constituents live in the tenement flats on the south side of Lochee Road near to the junction where nitrogen dioxide are unacceptably high.   

It is therefore important that the council has a clear strategy for improving air quality here and the commitment to redesign junction and improve traffic management on a road that usually sees thousands of vehicles using it every day is to be greatly welcomed.

Air quality improvements at Lochee Road long overdue and utterly vital

Following last week’s debate at Dundee City Council’s Community Safety and Public Protection Committee on air quality in the city, as reported in the local media, I have called on Dundee City Council to ensure it acts on promises made to improve air quality in Lochee Road by tackling traffic congestion and reducing emissions in the street.

The report before committee included this commitment : 

“Investigations into potential interventions to reduce both emissions and traffic congestion on the Lochee Road corridor will continue to be explored by the Head of Sustainable Transportation and Roads during the LEZ development process. These investigations will take a route corridor approach and take cognisance of potential traffic displacement onto other, less appropriate roads in residential areas. The route corridor review will also require to consider future bus priority, active travel and traffic congestion.”

As residents know, I have long campaigned on air quality issues, particularly in relation to Lochee Road where, as recently as January 2020, I again highlighted deep concern that, yet again, leading air quality campaigners Friends of the Earth had highlighted air quality concerns in Lochee Road in its Scotland’s most polluted streets survey with Seagate in the city also highlighted in the January national air quality survey.   

Whilst I welcomed the commitment to tackle the traffic congestion in Lochee Road, I pointed out at the council meeting that I have been pressing for this for many years, on behalf of my constituents who live in Lochee Road.    There are a number of specific and affordable actions I made clear I want to see the council do immediately. 

Firstly, tackle the junction with Cleghorn Street where, following minor accidents, the operation of the junction was to be reviewed for road safety reasons.    This should tackle the tailbacks of traffic trying to turn into Lochee Road.   

Secondly, the operation of the traffic lights at Polepark Road and Dudhope Terrace junctions need to be reviewed.     If they were more efficient, we would see fewer tailbacks of cars and therefore a decrease of emissions into the air in the Lochee Road area.   Following the committee meeting, I had a lengthy and useful discussion with a senior roads officer at the City Council about this and possible modelling to see what could be achieved by possible lights sequencing alterations.

I have highlighted that, earlier this year, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air published research showing many likely long-term health benefits from the pollution reductions in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, including fewer children developing asthma, fewer preterm births and fewer deaths long-term from better air.

It is therefore vital there is a proactive approach to tackling the air quality issue.   I have raised this on numerous occasions with the  council in the past and we need to see a situation where no Dundee streets have unacceptable air quality.   A significant number of constituents live in the tenement flats on the south side of Lochee Road near to the junction where nitrogen dioxide are unacceptably high.    It is therefore important that the council has a clear strategy for improving air quality here.

The proposed city centre low emission zone will help the surrounding area in particular in relation to buses that go up and down Lochee Road that have to access the city centre – they will have to be newer and cleaner.    However, detailed work tackling the specific issues at particular streets with air quality issues, like Lochee Road, is vital.    

Actions speak louder than words and we do need to see momentum to achieve a proper and lasting solution.    Residents deserve to breathe clean air in every street in Dundee.

Temporary Traffic Order – Lochee Road (overnight only)

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 cabling works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Lochee Road (eastbound from Polepark Road to Gardner’s Lane), Dundee.
 
This notice comes into effect on Monday 2 September 2019 for 1 night (9pm to 6am).
 
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
 
Alternative routes are available via Polepark Road / Brook Street / Guthrie Street / Horsewater Wynd / Hawkhill / West Marketgait.
 
For further information contact 433082.
 
Head of Roads and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Lochee Road and Logie Street – road resurfacing #dundeewestend

From the City Council :
 

Lochee Road (No 70 Logie Street to No 200 Lochee Road) – Carriageway Resurfacing Work

 
I wish to notify you that work is programmed to commence at the above location on Monday 8 July 2019 and will last for approximately 2 weeks. The contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.
 
In the interest of public safety, a road closure will be implemented and through traffic will be diverted via City Road, Tullideph Road and reverse.
 
On-street parking will not be allowed on the section of carriageway being worked on. Vehicular access to properties with driveways will be maintained although we ask for vehicular traffic movements to be kept to a minimum and advise delays may be experienced.
 
Please note that pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout the works.
 
Bus services will be affected by this closure and I would advise bus passengers to visit www.dundeetravelinfo.com, or telephone the bus operator for further details of diversion routes and alternative bus stops.
 
Please accept our apologies for any disruption these works may cause.   I am sure that you will understand that major road maintenance work is unavoidable and necessitates a degree of inconvenience to road users. 
 
If you have any queries regarding this matter please call 834126.

Getting things done – Lochee Road #dundeewestend

Residents have drawn to my attention the poor condition of the pavement on Lochee Road from Mitchell Street to Black Street.
 
I highlighted this with the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following helpful response :
 
“This section of Lochee Road footway between Mitchell Street to Black Street has been identified for including in the 2018/2019 footway slurry seal programme subject to budget availability. The works have yet to be programmed.”

Temporary Traffic Order – Logie Street and Lochee Road Area – and bus information

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 8 weeks from 29 August 2016.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.
 
The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in (1) Logie Street southbound between Loons Road and City Road, (2) Lochee Road: Phase 1 – southbound between Tullideph Road and Dudhope Terrace and Phase 2 – southbound between Dudhope Terrace and Park Street, (3) Rankine Street between Lochee Road and Inverary Terrace, (4) Cleghorn Street between Lochee Road and Benvie Road, (5) Muirton Road between Old Muirton Road and Logie Street, (6) Lower Pleasance between Lochee Road and Brewery Lane and (7) Gardners Lane at its junction with Lochee Road.
 
More than one road may be closed at any one time.  The one-way order relating to Muirton Road (Old Muirton Road to Lochee Road) will be rescinded for the duration of the works.
 
Alternative routes will be available via (1) Loons Road/Gardner Street/Rankine Street, (2) Phase 1 – Tullideph Road/City Road/Milnbank Road/Polepark Road and Phase 2 – Dudhope Terrace/Infirmary Brae/Barrack Road/Constitution Road/North Marketgait/Ladywell Roundabout/North Marketgait, (3) Lochee Road/Logie Street/Loons Road/Gardner Street, (4) Benvie Road/Fyffe Street/Polepark Road/Lochee Road, (5) Muirton Road/Ancrum Road/Logie Street, (6) Lochee Road/Polepark Road/Brewery Lane and (7) Lochee Road/Dudhope Terrace/St Mary Place/St Mary Street.
 
Any queries regarding this proposal, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department on 433082.
 
Bus detour information from Xplore Dundee :
 
Logie Street closure (city bound) – 29 August for 2 weeks (The road closure is southward (city centre bound) only) –
 
Services 9/10 (Outer Circle)
No diversion necessary.
 
Service 23 (from Lochee, towards City Centre)
Normal route to Lochee High Street, then via Loons Road, Gardner Street, Rankine Street, crossing Lochee Road to Cleghorn Street, then via City Road, Pentland Avenue and then normal route.
 
Services 23a & 28/29 (from Lochee, towards City Centre)
Normal routes to Lochee High Street, then via Loons Road, Gardner Street, Rankine Street, Lochee Road and then normal route.

Scottish Water – further consultation event

With the Scottish Water infrastructure works currently in the Nethergate/Perth Road shopping area and hopefully concluding later this month, the work then moves to the Blackness Road area running up City Road and adjacent streets to the Lochee Road area.
 
Scottish Water has advised of a consultation event about this tomorrow as follows :
 
What we are doing :    We are upgrading the water pipes to ensure you continue to enjoy clear, fresh drinking water, and reduce the chance of pipes bursting. The work will involve the lining and flushing of existing water mains in and around the Blackness Road/City Road/Lochee Road areas of Dundee.  We would like to tell you about our plans and how this will affect you.
 
We are holding an Information Event at:
 
The Mitchell Street Centre, Mitchell Street, Dundee DD2 2LJ, ROOM 1 on Thursday 4th August 2016.  Please pop in anytime between 16.00hrs and 19.00hrs 
 
What you need to know :
 
• This planned work will involve disruption to the water supply in the area and may involve the need to boil water following any interruption to supply.
• There will also be extensive roadworks during our works. This will include the use of temporary traffic lights and lane/road closures which may also include access and parking restrictions.
• At our Information Event, our project team will be on hand to discuss our work, how it will be managed and answer any concerns you may.  Please come along.
• This work is part of a wider programme of work across Dundee.
Where are we working
 
To ensure the safety of our customers, there will be traffic management measures in place, at the following locations, on a rolling programme;
 
Logie Street, Blackness Road,
 
Lochee Road, Abbotsford Street,
 
St Mary Place, Peddie Street,
 
Mitchell Street,    Annfield Street,
 
Benvie Road, Blackness Street,
 
Fyffe Street, Rosefield Place,
 
Eassons Angle, Ure Street,
 
City Road,    Rosefield Street,
 
Milnbank Road.
 
Important Note:  Please note that depending on progress with work currently ongoing elsewhere in Dundee, we may be in a position to start work in some areas above week commencing 8th August 2016.  This means some customers may receive letters advising of upcoming work before our Information Event.  No works will start on site until after the Information Event has taken place.

Dundee air quality concerns – council brings in consultants to tackle concerns

I have welcomed news that Dundee City Council has engaged expert consultants to look in-depth at the air quality problems at two locations – Lochee Road and Seagate – and recommend possible steps that could further improve the air quality in these areas.
 
The City Council’s Head of Community Safety and Protection has advised me that the council has commissioned two consultants- SAIS & Bureau Veritas – to undertake scenario testing of possible traffic management solutions and other mitigation options covering the Lochee Road.   The council is awaiting the outcome the assessments of the Lochee Road expert work and expects to receive the final reports by the end of March.   
 
In relation to Seagate, JMP Consultants has been commissioned to undertake a review of the transport issues currently being experienced by all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and operators, taxi users and operators, hauliers, cars, residents and business.   This has the aim of identifying options that would improve traffic movement and reduce air pollution concentrations.    In the case of Seagate, the council has received a draft report which recommends a traffic management solution for the area and the proposals are currently being considered. 
 
I welcome the work being undertaken to look at possible additional measures of improve air quality in these areas, although any proposals will have to be carefully considered.     It is vital there is a proactive approach to tackling the air quality issue.   
 
I have raised this on numerous occasions with the council in the past and we need to see a situation where no Dundee streets have unacceptable air quality.   A significant number of my own constituents live in the tenement flats on the south side of Lochee Road near to the junction where nitrogen dioxide are unacceptably high.   It is therefore important that the council has a clear strategy for improving air quality here.
 
Recent work by Friends of the Earth again highlighted concerns about air quality in the two streets in Dundee as being amongst the most polluted in Scotland.   The full details are below:
 
Top 10 most polluted streets for nitrogen dioxide in 2015 (figures in microgrammes per cubic meter, European standard 40): 
 
• St. John’s Road Edinburgh: 65 microgrammes
• Hope Street Glasgow: 60 microgrammes
• Seagate, Dundee: 50 microgrammes
• Atholl Street, Perth: 48 microgrammes
• Lochee Road, Dundee: 48 microgrammes
• Union Street, Aberdeen: 46 microgrammes
• Queensferry Road, Edinburgh: 41 microgrammes
• Wellington Road, Aberdeen: 41 microgrammes

Lochee Road resurfacing work

I have had a number of constituent enquiries about the proposed road closure in part of Lochee Road (Tullideph Road to Dudhope Terrace – southbound only) from 20th April for road resurfacing.
 
The Depute Roads Maintenance Partnership Manager at Dundee City Council/Tayside Contracts has advised me of further details as follows :
 
The works involve the resurfacing of a section of Lochee Road as shown below :
The two areas identified as phases 1 (blue) and 2 (yellow) shall both be completed as part of these works and are programmed to be undertaken consecutively. The areas are assigned individual phase numbers in the attached drawings for the purpose of identifying the area of works relative to the associated diversion route.
 
Also by clicking here you can see a plan that details the proposed diversion routes for each of the phases of work.
 
The works are programmed to commence on Monday 20/04/15 and are programmed to be completed by Friday 08/05/15, subject to potential weather related delays. This programme duration encompasses the completion of both phase 1 and 2 of the works.
 
I can confirm consultation letters shall be issued on the week commencing 06/04/15 to residents and interested parties. Information boards detailing the forthcoming closures shall also be erected in advance of the location two weeks prior to the works commencement.

Lochee Road – pavement north side opposite Tullideph Road junction

Numerous West End residents have raised with me the overgrown ivy protruding across the pavement on the north side of Lochee Road opposite Tullideph Road junction.   It is actually on the Coldside side of the ward boundary but many local residents use this pavement.
 
Having contacted the council about this, I am pleased to report that work to address this has been agreed and is imminent.

Damaged fence across pathway at Benvie Road

A damaged fence from the rear of a property in Lochee Road has blown across the pathway leading to Benvie Road from the Benvie steps.   See below :
I have asked the City Council’s Rapid Response Team to have the panel moved safely off the pathway and the Housing Department’s Private Sector Unit to speak with the landlords concerned about having the fence repaired.

Tackling air pollution – Lochee Road

Given the long-standing concerns I have raised about air quality in part of Lochee Road (from Polepark Road in the east to Tullideph Road in the west), along with Andrew Llanwarne of Friends of the Earth, I today met with four senior Environment and Transportation council officers to discuss ways that this problem can be further tackled, both specifically at Lochee Road and – wider – at air quality hot-spots across Dundee.
 
We had a very positive discussion about numerous aspects including trying to reduce car queuing at this complicated series of junctions, other traffic aspects such as vehicle manoeuvres at junctions and traffic levels and the possible future upgrade of the bus fleets to hybrid buses on routes using Lochee Road, something I recently discussed with the Managing Director of National Express Dundee.
 
The City Council is currently undertaking a scientific review of the air quality modelling work and an assurance was given that briefings will be given towards the end of 2014 on the issue and on further steps to improve air quality at these hotspots, invitations to which will include councillors, stakeholders like Friends of the Earth and residents’ and community groups in the affected areas.

I spoke on Radio Tay News about the issue today – you can hear the interview by clicking ‘play’ below:

Poundstretcher car park – Lochee Road

A constituent recently expressed concern to me at the extremely poor state of the car park at the Poundstretcher store on Lochee Road – the photo (below) shows how broken-down the surface has become.
So many thanks to the Property Director, £stretcher, who promptly replied to my request for repairs, as follows:
 
“We are aware of the issues at the Dundee store and in the last couple of weeks have asked 3 contractors to price the car park works
 
This is a priority for us. We have received one very high quote, the second one due back today and the other contractor is attending site on Wednesday 
 
Both you and your constituents will be pleased to hear that the car park will be a complete resurface as we have continually carried out patch repairs for a number of years following our Landlord going into Administration (it was his plan to redevelop the entire site) 
 
We do need to manage the expectations though as it is … the winter months and this is a large job, which we will need to have carried out at suitable times with frosts/ freezing conditions etc.”

Dundee City Council meetings

At last night’s City Council meetings, there were a significant number of issues discussed.
 
At City Development Committee, I welcomed the news that the tourist information service is to move back to the City Centre as part of the new City Square Box Office facility.   I complained to Dundee and Angus Tourist Board when it previously moved the facility out of Castle Street and down to Discovery Point as I feel a main City Centre location is vital, so am pleased with the move to the City Square.
 
At Education Committee, I commented on proposals to alter the priority scheme for enrolling school pupils at both primary and secondary schools in the city.   The rationale for change is sensible, given the growth in primary school rolls, but it is important that all with a view on what is being proposed give their views during the consultation process.
 
At Environment Committee, I again highlighted concerns about air quality in the Lochee Road/Cleghorn Street/Rankine Street junctions and sought assurances that measures are being taken to address this.
 
At Policy & Resources Committee, I welcomed news that the West End Ward is to be given £10 000 community regeneration funding through the Fairer Scotland Fund in 2014/15.    I have long campaigned for the West End and the Ferry Ward (both previously excluded from the funds) to be given a share of this funding to ensure that no area in the city is excluded, and although £10 000 in 2014/15 is less than I had hoped for, its a start and the West End will make good use of its funding.   I made the point last night that funds must be allocated in such a way that it benefits those on the lowest incomes, which is the principle behind Fairer Scotland funding.

Lochee Road air pollution – traffic management update

Further to the meeting I had with council environmental health and transportation officers earlier this week about air pollution concerns at Lochee Road at the Cleghorn Street/Dudhope Terrace/Rankine Street junction, the City Council’s Head of Transportation has updated me as follows with regard to traffic management:
 
“Following on from our meeting earlier this week regarding Lochee Road and the consideration for introducing traffic signals at the junction of Lochee Road And Rankine Street in order to improve air quality in the area. It is considered that an additional set of traffic signals will introduce more delay on main road traffic flow as this will have to stop when the lights go red where as currently the Lochee Road is essentially free flow.  The interruption of traffic flow would impact on the main flow  traffic speeds and reduce air quality.  Additionally given the proximity of Cleghorn Street it would be very likely that this would also have to be signalised also and this would almost certainly reduce junction capacity further.  From an air quality and road capacity point of view I would not recommend installing traffic signals on Lochee Road at Rankine Street or Cleghorn Street. 
I have also had the UTC staff have a look at the performance of the traffic signals at Dudhope Terrace and this junction has just recently had additional loops cut to ensure vehicles are detected on approach to the junction.  The Junction does not run Vehicle Actuated (VA) during the peak times as we have certain traffic signals plans that operate during these periods.  However outwith the peaks the junction operates VA and should respond to approaching vehicles quickly depending on the traffic demand.
We will commit to monitoring the performance of this junction over an extended period to ensure that they perform as efficiently as possible to aid in air quality improvement and keep the traffic moving as smoothly as possible.  Likewise during financial year 2013/14, we will look at further restrictions / traffic management options that may assist traffic flow.”
 
I have asked the Head of Transportation to explore other possible alterations to improve performance at both the Cleghorn Street part of the junction and opposite there at Rankine Street and he has confirmed this will be looked into.

Improving air quality in Lochee Road

Lochee Road at approach to Rankine Street
Following raising my continuing concerns about air pollution at specific sites in Dundee during February’s  City Council Environment Committee meeting, earlier today, along with ward colleague Cllr Richard McCready, I met with key council officials from Environment and Transportation about the air quality in Lochee Road at the Dudhope Terrace/Cleghorn Street/Rankine Street junction, that Friends of the Earth recently highlighted as being one of the most polluted in Scotland – details below:
 
Top 10 most polluted streets for nitrogen dioxide in 2012 (figures in microgrammes per cubic meter, European standard 40): 
 
Glasgow Kerbside – 72.5 
South Lanarkshire Raith Interchange – 62.9 
Aberdeen Wellington Road – 58.8 
Edinburgh St John’s Road – 57.9 
Dundee Lochee Road – 55.4 
Perth Atholl Street – 55.1 
Aberdeen Union Street Roadside – 55.0 
Edinburgh Queensferry Road – 54.5 
Dundee Meadowside – 54.5 
Paisley Central Road – 50.7 
 
One side of Lochee Road at the location of concern (the junctions at Rankine Street/Cleghorn Street/Dudhope Terrace) is in the West End Ward and I have asked council officers about steps that require to be taken to improve air quality here.
 
It is vital there is a proactive approach to tackling the air quality issue.   A significant number of constituents live in the tenement flats on the south side of Lochee Road near to the junction where nitrogen dioxide are unacceptably high.   It is therefore important that the council has a clear strategy for improving air quality here.
 
I specifically raised the need to look at the traffic management aspects – to avoid long queues of traffic building up at rush hour by keeping traffic moving and looking at ways of reducing the traffic flow in the vicinity.     
 
In addition to a number of measures officers have already taken, they gave a commitment to review the traffic lights vehicle activation to keep traffic moving and will also undertake vehicle counts to see if any adjustments to traffic management would further help the situation.

Progress with resurfacing works at Dudhope Roundabout

Further to my article last month about the road closure at the Dudhope roundabout that started last Monday, the photo (right) shows the partly completed resurfacing works as of last night.
 
I was pleased to be informed earlier this morning by the City Engineer that progress is on schedule to allow re-opening of the road network at the roundabout on Sunday.

Temporary Traffic Order – Dudhope Roundabout

A Traffic Order from the City Council covering the Dudhope Roundabout on the West End Ward east boundary:

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 nine days from 8th April 2013.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in (1) all lanes of the Dudhope Roundabout, (2) Lochee Road at a point 20 metres or thereby west of Dudhope Roundabout (3) North Marketgait (eastbound and westbound) at Dudhope Roundabout and (4) West Marketgait (northbound and southbound) at Dudhope Roundabout.
Vehicular access to Parker Street will be maintained from North Marketgait at its junction with Constitution Road by following the temporary diversion traffic signs.  The west bound (North Marketgait – Lochee Road) exit from Bell Street multi storey car park will be closed for the duration of the works, all traffic will exit this car park via Dudhope Crescent Road.  The car park entry points are unaffected by the works.
From Lochee Road, the Diversion Route for South and West Marketgait is via Polepark Road, Brook Street, Guthrie Street, Horsewater Wynd, Hawkhill and reverse.  From Lochee Road the Diversion Route for North Marketgait is via Dudhope Terrace, Sommerville Place and Constitution Road.  All other diversion routes are via the Inner Ring Road.
Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.  If you have any queries please call 433168.