Seabraes

Update on former rail goods yard at Seabraes #dundeewestend

As residents are aware, over many years, the former rail goods yard at Seabraes behind Roseangle has been fenced off due to decontamination works by contractors for site owners Scottish Enterprise (SE).

It was pointed out to us that recently, although the hoardings along the path from Roseangle are still there, the east entrance (where Greenmarket roadway currently ends) was wide open and the public could walk into the site.

We raised several questions with SE – below – along with SE’s responses :

Q : Is the access at the east end intentional?
A : Access is not intentional and Colliers our managing agent for the site have now instructed the landscapers to secure the site as soon as possible.

Q : If so, should the hoardings now be removed?
A : There is no intention for the hoardings to be removed at this time.

Q : Is the decontamination work complete?
A : The outstanding work is not in relation to decontamination; however, it is a drainage issue which we are working to resolve following remediation work which was carried out by SE several years ago.
We are actively working towards a solution to the drainage issue on this site, however it is a complicated process which involves involvement of both Network Rail and Tesco who own neighbouring land.
Due to the involvement of other parties and the complicated nature of these works, it is expected to take some time to resolve.

Q : What are SE’s intentions now for the site?
A : Once the drainage issue has been resolved it is intended that SE market the site for sale (residential use).

Getting things done – Seabraes viewing area #dundeewestend

We recently had a query regarding the redevelopment of the Seabraes viewing area.

The path surfacing was looking odd as new black tarmac was placed on a section of the path (see photo) which looked poor next to the original buff colour.

We contacted the council’s Projects Team Leader who reassured us as follows :

“The buff resin bond surfacing is due to be laid around the benches. It should be noted that the new resin bond colour will appear brighter than the original surfacing due to weathering but will blend in over time.”

Getting things done – Seabraes site #dundeewestend

I recently had a number of complaints about the extent of litter right along the pathways of the Seabraes site from Roseangle to Greenmarket.

This area is owned and managed by Scottish Enterprise. I contacted SE and the Regional Facilities Manager of its managing agents Nile Management responded positively as follows :

“I have arranged to get one of our contractors on site … to carry out a litter pick of the area and will also price up to have additional litter bins installed at various points throughout the site. These will be emptied by our new landscaping contractor going forward.”

There has already been a marked improvement but I will be keeping a close eye on this top ensure this improvement is maintained.

Getting things done – Seabraes #dundeewestend

Many thanks to all the residents who contacted me about the tree damage at Seabraes following the recent Storm Malik.

One tree has sadly been uprooted and another is leaning badly.

I took this up with the City Council’s Head of Environment and have been promised that the department has added Seabraes to the sites where action is required following – initially – Storm Arwen and subsequent high winds.

Getting things done – Seabraes fencing damage #dundeewestend

Residents contacted me after Storm Arwen at the end of November about the damage to the fencing through the Seabraes site along the path from Roseangle to Greenmarket.

The fencing is owned by Scottish Enterprise and fences off the area that was subject to decontamination works over the past decade.

I am grateful to Scottish Enterprise for promptly ensuring that exposed nails on parts of broken fencing was promptly dealt with and work commenced to repair the fallen sections of fencing.

I asked, on behalf of residents, if the fencing would be repaired or simply removed as the decontamination works were completed some time ago.

The position of Scottish Enterprise is that the fencing will be retained and repaired and has advised as follows :

“The decontamination works on the site were completed in 2017.  

Since then the focus has been on improving onsite drainage and surface water, with remedial work undertaken onsite and in the gardens of (two properties in) Roseangle.  

Discussions are continuing with Network Rail in relation to the use of an outfall pipe which would release the surface water capacity required to develop the site. 

However progress on that continues to be slow given the pipe was installed back in 1990 and locating wayleave is proving difficult.”

Getting things done – Seabraes bins #dundeewestend

A West End resident recently contacted me regarding the bins at Seabraes :

“I had a lovely walk up Perth Road yesterday but was saddened to see the gulls had been out in force at Seabraes.

Any chance the bins can be changed to the ones at City Quay which are more gull proof please?”

I took this up with our local environment manager who has now updated me as follows :

‘Just a quick note to say that we are looking into this. 

 Any replacement bins would have to be in keeping with the rest of the furniture and of a suitable type and construction, so we are looking into what is available.’

Getting things done – Seabraes #dundeewestend

A resident recently contacted me saying :
 
“Do you think that you could request that the markings that distinguish and delineate the cycle lane from the footpath at Seabraes between Roseangle and Greenmarket could be refreshed/reinstated?
 
With the increased number of cyclists and pedestrians using this thoroughfare there needs to be greater clarity as to who should be where on this shared path.”
 
I raised this with the Director of City Development at the City Council who has responded helpfully as follows :
 
“I confirm that we are aware that in a number of areas around the city existing cycle path markings and signage have become difficult to see.
 
We have bid for funding as part of the “Spaces for People” phase 2 bid to allow us to reinstate any worn markings and enhance signage to encourage cycle usage.
 
If this funding is confirmed I will ask officers to ensure that this marking is replaced as necessary.”

Getting things done – Seabraes area #dundeewestend

I have recently had complaints about the extent of rubbish and litter along the western end of the path running from Roseangle to Greenmarket.   The problem area has been the part from Seabraes west towards the Roseangle car park.
 
The council’s Rapid Response Team, at my request, kindly did a litter-pick there recently.   However, I wrote to Scottish Enterprise to get its assurances that it would ensure the area is kept clean in future, as I was sure responsibility would rest with Scottish Enterprise.
 
The Director of Business Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise has now advised me :
 
“I am advised that SE’s responsibilities cover the area shown outlined red on the plan (below). 
 
Our external Property Managing Agents have been reminded of our responsibilities with particular reference to litter collection so you should see an improvement.”
 

Seabraes Bridge opening

The new Seabraes Bridge
I have queried with the City Engineer when the new bridge at Seabraes will be open to the public.   It is a little behind schedule (originally planned for a ‘soft opening’ in late May with an official opening in June).
 
The City Engineer updated me late yesterday as follows :
 
“Just to confirm that the Official Opening will not take place on 16 June 2015 as the Transport Minister cannot make that date.
 
Instead the Official Opening will be arranged for August/September after the schools have returned from the summer holidays.
 
Now, the bridge is currently planned to open on 16 June without anything official happening but we will be making a press release in advance of the opening.”
 
The important thing is to get this new bridge opened so I am pleased there is now certainty about this.   It looks really good and will give a great new link between Riverside and the Seabraes/Perth Road areas.

Seabraes site visit

Yesterday afternoon, along with two representatives of the Bonnie Dundee group and a representative from the City Council’s Environment Department, I took part in a site visit to the stepped area at Seabraes to discuss improving the area.
 
The “top” part of Seabraes is beautifully maintained by the Environment Department.   However, the stepped area below is very overgrown and unsightly, despite the steps themselves being well-designed.    
 
Scottish Enterprise (who own the stepped area and the digital media park to the south) has reached agreement with the City Council to transfer ownership of the stepped area to the Environment Department.   At the site visit, we agreed the way forward to have the weeds removed and the area improved in the coming weeks.
 
A couple of photographs from the site:

Christmas in May …

Yesterday, at Blackness Library, I had the pleasure of chairing the first 2013 meeting of the West End Christmas Fortnight committee.  Although it may seem a long way until Christmas, as the West End Christmas Fortnight takes a lot of organising, the committee starts its planning work many months in advance.
 
We had a good discussion about events to be run during West End Christmas Fortnight 2013.
 
After the meeting, Rob Carstairs and I had a site visit to Seabraes.   Rob is our excellent pyrotechnician, who has put on an excellent community fireworks display each year at the West End Christmas lights switch on.      
 
The issue at Seabraes this year will be that the site from which the fireworks display has been launched each year is now being built on – the new District 10 facilities for creative industries companies is being constructed on the site – see right.    
 
However, having held our site visit, Rob and I are confident that, on a new site, the fireworks display can still take place and we will be discussing this further with site owners Scottish Enterprise and with Dundee City Council in the coming weeks.