Magdalen Green

Update on Network Rail and Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

Residents contacted us recently regarding a news story in the Courier about possible future infrastructure works that might see Network Rail require, in a worst case scenarios, require up to 207m in length of land within Magdalen Green with a maximum width of 1.3m. This would be to create a new passing loop to “enable an increase in the number of freight paths and passenger services”.

You can read the Courier item from earlier this month at :

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/4800110/magdalen-green-land-take-on-cards-network-rail-boost-central-belt-links

We contacted the City Council planning team to get further information and the Principal Planning Officer has updated us as follows :

“We have been engaged in pre-application discussions with Network Rail as they assemble a programme of enhancement works on the railway line of the Glasgow to Aberdeen route.

Many of the works are likely to be ‘permitted development’, however we anticipate that planning applications may be required for works that involve built heritage or lie outside the land ownership of Network Rail.

This is a large and complex project and the form and content of the works and need for planning permission is still to be determined. To support that process Network Rail has submitted a request for a screening opinion in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment procedures. The purpose of this is to identify any potentially significant environmental impacts.

From this I understand that the worst case scenario is that they may need to widen the rail corridor at Magdalen Green. They have indicated that this may be by up to 1.3 metres over a 200 metre long stretch of the line. They are however hopeful that the need for this can be removed as the design progresses.”

We obviously hope that any works will be contained on the existing Network Rail land and not impact on Magdalen Green and that any impact on the Green is ‘designed out’ when detailed proposals come forward.    However, we have made the point to the council that if any ground is required, it would make more sense to take that from the south side at the playing fields west of Barnetts Motor Group rather than from the Green.    

We have also sought assurances that detailed design work and further consultation on the proposed replacement footbridge proceeds only once the City Council is absolutely sure that these Network Rail proposals would not impact on the footbridge project.

Sunday Band Concert on Magdalen Green! #dundeewestend

This Sunday – 30th July – the Dundee Instrumental Band will be performing at Magdalen Green.

Sunday band concerts are from 2pm to 3pm and are free of charge.

View the full programme at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/environment/sunday-band-concerts

Magdalen Green footbridge engagement – drop-in event #dundeewestend

As residents will recall from our previous update, there is currently public engagement on a possible replacement of the Magdalen Green footbridge.


In addition to the online survey at :
https://tinyurl.com/MagdalenGreenFootbridgeSurvey

… there’s also a drop-in event at the Magdalen Green bandstand this coming Wednesday – 10th August – from 5pm to 8pm – all welcome!

Magdalen Green footbridge replacement – public engagement #dundeewestend

Further to our previous updates on the project that, subject to funding support from Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, would replace the Magdalen Green footbridge across the rail line to Riverside, with a new footbridge, the council is now udertaking public engagement on this.

If you use the bridge and/or Magdalen Green on a regular or occasional basis, please give your views about the current bridge, how you use Magdalen Green, and what you’d like to see in the future. 

You can complete the survey here:

https://tinyurl.com/MagdalenGreenFootbridgeSurvey

Magdalen Green footbridge replacement – further update #dundeewestend

As we have previously advised, the City Council is working on a possible project that, subject to funding support from Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, would result in a  new Magdalen Green footbridge across the rail line to Riverside – one that is suitable for wheelchair users or cyclists.

We recently asked for a further update from the City Council engineer who is working on this project and he advises :

“Sustrans has asked us for additional supporting information in the form of a widened consultation, something that wasn’t feasible during Covid restrictions, as well as refreshed construction costs to reflect the current market.

There will be a variety of consultation events, such as a workshop and social media engagement. There will be contact made with all local politicians and community groups as part of this.

Following this, we will be applying for Sustrans funding in September to take the project towards construction stage funding.

We should find out if we are successful mid-December, although would note the timescales for funding applications and awards are dictated by Sustrans.”

He also confirmed that repairs will be carried out to the damaged step on the current footbridge that we recently reported following residents’ concerns.

Magdalen Green footbridge replacement – an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, some time ago, I advised that the City Council was working on a project that, subject to funding support from Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, would replace the Magdalen Green footbridge across the rail line to Riverside, with a new footbridge.

The existing bridge has seen better days and is not suitable for wheelchair users or cyclists, so a bid was made to Sustrans to try to secure money from the Places for Everyone fund to assess the feasibility of replacing it.

This was successful which has allowed design work to progress. However, a more substantial funding award will be necessary to actually deliver the new footbridge. This requires Sustrans to approve the design and the project to gain sufficient support by Sustrans to allow for an award to build the replacement footbridge to go ahead.

I recently contacted the City Council engineer who is working on this project for an update and he has advised :

“Sustrans has asked for some additional information in support of our funding request.

We will continue to work to ensure we meet their feedback and objectives.

This will allow us to resubmit when the next funding allocation opens, next financial year, to take the project forward.”

I will, of course, keep residents updated as the process moves forward.

Picnic tables for Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

The City Council gave me a commitment some time ago that it would provide more picnic tables for Magdalen Green and take steps to reduce the risk of fire, following one being destroyed by fire some months ago.

I requested an update from Neighbourhood Services at the council and have now been advised as follows by the Service Manager – Environment :

“I can confirm that 6 concrete pads are planned to be installed which the picnic benches shall be fixed to. 

There are currently 4 benches which I understand require some refurbishment which we shall undertake. This will leave two pads empty initially and we are currently costing 2 steel galvanised picnic tables, as yet have not identified budget for these.

The 4 wooden benches will be fitted with galvanised tops in an effort to reduce the risk of fire.

(We) shall contact Friends of Magdalen Green to discuss and agree the location of the concrete pads prior to installation.”

Getting things done – Roseangle/Magdalen Green area #dundeewestend

Residents have mentioned to me that it would be a boon to have some outdoor gym equipment in the Roseangle/Magdalen Green area, as is already in situ elsewhere in the city – eg Camperdown and Stobsmuir parks.

I took this up with the Service Manager – Environment at the City Council who positively advised me as follows :

” …  whilst we have no plans to instal gym equipment at this time, I am happy to include this for future consideration within capital development plans.”

Magdalen Green – a further update #dundeewestend

I have recently been in discussion with both Police Scotland and City Council officers following the recent disgraceful vandalism on Magdalen Green that resulted in a table and seating being destroyed by fire.    Additionally, as the photo shows, another table was recently also vandalised although the damage was less severe than happened to the other table and chairs.    Environment management will ensure repair of this.

As I said to the media at the time of the vandalism, it is vital that the vandals do not win and I am grateful to Police Scotland for the comprehensive response I have received in relation to policing resource in relation to the Green.

The council had previously promised Friends of Magdalen Green further tables and seating and this will be provided by around 7th May.    Whilst welcome, it is vital that the possibility of a repetition of previous vandalism is minimised.    Policing is a key part of that but I have also been engaging with council environment management about the provision of static metal bins near to seating and separate static BBQ facilities to avoid portable BBQs being used on tables with predictable disastrous results.

Meantime, BBQ tables promised for the parklet area near the community fridge at the Miller’s Wynd car park should be in place hopefully this week.

Getting things done – Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

In recent years, at my request, over the spring/summer, additional wheelie bins have been placed on the northern edge of Magdalen Green to cope with the additional litter generated over the periods of better weather.    They are removed over the winter.

I asked back in March for additional bins to be placed again this year and was promised by the City Council that this would be done.     However, only two initially appeared (roughly opposite Step Row).     I therefore contacted environment management again on 8th April and was assured this would be resolved, which I am pleased to note has since been done.

However, I have asked if thought can be given in the future to consider recycling bins – plastics in particular – and not just general waste, given the amount of litter that consists of plastics.

Given the dreadful vandalism on the Green last Friday night, I have been in discussions with council officers and Police Scotland about the issues.    Adequate bins is hardly the whole solution to this, but it helps.    I will be keeping residents updated.

Getting things done – rail line at Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

Network Rail recently cut back the vegetation on one side of the rail line at Magdalen Green and residents asked me if the company intended doing this welcome work on the other side of the line.

I contacted Network Rail and have had the following helpful response :

“Thank you for contacting us about the vegetation on our land at Magdalen Green, Dundee.

I can confirm that there are plans to cut back the vegetation on other side of the railway.

I cannot give you an exact date for this, but it is in our programme of work to be done.”

Litter and rubbish concerns #dundeewestend

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