Tullideph Road

Getting things done – Tullideph Road #dundeewestend

Some weeks ago, a lorry damaged a tree in Tullideph Road near the junction with Ancrum Road.
The tree was badly damaged and had to be removed.
Residents asked us that a new tree is planted and the council’s Forestry Officer has responded positively as follows :

“Yes, we will look at this during the planting season 2023/24 or earlier if we can.”

Getting things done – Tullideph Road – an update #dundeewestend

Some months ago, we highlighted that the paths to the rear of the Tullideph Road flats near to the north end of Loganlee Terrace were in a poor state of repair, creating trip hazards.

We reported this to the City Council who promised an upgrade and we are grateful to the council team that has ensured a quality job was undertaken as the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos show :

Getting things done – Ancrum Road and Tullideph Road #dundeewestend

A resident recently raised with us road safety at the Ancrum Road/Tullideph Road junction pointing out :

“The speed of traffic turning from Ancrum Road into Tullideph Road is often inappropriately high and I suspect an element of this is that they’re using Tullideph Road as a rat run to avoid the wait at the Logie Street Lights.

Vehicles very regularly cut the corner at speed when entering the road and over the years I’ve had to take avoiding action as cars enter Tullideph on the wrong side of the road, it’s particularly dangerous if I want to turn right.

The speed of this traffic hinders pedestrians trying to cross the road.

Would it be possible to have a traffic island added at the junction to give pedestrians somewhere protected when crossing the road, and this would also force cars to take a sharper turn into a narrower space which hopefully might slow them down a little? The red dot marks the location for the island on the image.”

We raised this with the council roads team and had this helpful response :

“This is one of our road safety sites we have previously done remedial works on.

The accident problem was drivers failing to slow and give way when they turned left from Tullideph Road into Ancrum Road. What we did was build-out the nearside kerb line to make it less of a sweeping manoeuvre.

So, these road safety improvements makes it harder in fact impossible to install an island. The turning arcs, especially bigger vehicles such as refuse/HGVs etc. vehicles are affected. Basically, they can’t make the right hand turn out onto Ancrum Rd and left into Tullideph coming up the hill from Logie St. At a push we may be able to provide a painted hatched road marking island with red inset similar to the one installed Johnston Ave at Clepington Road – see https://goo.gl/maps/YxQUxm1zqjdydpx79

Another option might be to provide a right turn lane on Ancrum Road for this manoeuvre, it has been noted at times a queue of cars can be waiting to turn here.

Although this will depend on the road space we have, we already have a bus stop and disabled bays opposite Tullideph Rd so this may constrict available road space to form such a lane.

We would need to have look at this. Probably something we will need to look at into next financial year as we have lots going on right now already. This would also need to compete with other priority schemes so I can’t guarantee anything right now. For now, I’ll add on the list for possible consideration for next year.

Currently, there are no reported injury accidents at this junction on the period 01 Jan 2017 – 24 Sep 2022. This is a good thing and indicates our previous improvements are working.”

Getting things done – Tullideph Road #dundeewestend

The paths to the rear of the Tullideph Road flats near to the north end of Loganlee Terrace are in a poor state of repair and unfortuntealy there have been falls there.    See photo below.

We raised this with the tenancy officer for the area who has since updated us as follows :

“I was out at the property and had a look at the paths. 

From looking at the condition of the paths I have requested a site meeting with the repairs team to see what can be done to repair the paths. 

As soon as the site visit has taken place I will update you with the agreed course of action.”

West End Blethers – all welcome! #dundeewestend

Update from Dundee Pensioners’ Forum :

“The West End Blethers cafe has re-started for 2022 – and will continue every Thursday at The Friary, Tullideph Road, between 12 noon and 2pm.

This has been a very successful project – we have managed to secure funding to take us through until around September 2022 and will seek further funding this year to extend that even further.

The blethering levels are rising by the week … and now that the pandemic restrictions are lifting, we can resume singing all the old songs. It is amazing how well older people remember every word of every verse!

Everyone is welcome!    There is free tea, coffee, cake, scones (heated with butter and jam) and delicious home cooked soup and rolls. The cafe also has a small food larder – 10 items for £2 – and free fruit and vegetables to take away.

We’d love to welcome you at the Friary, any Thursday between 12 noon and 2pm!”

West End Blethers – extended until Christmas! #dundeewestend

From Dundee Pensioners’ Forum :

Our West End Blethers cafe, at The Friary on Tullideph Road on Thursdays, has been extended until Thursday 23rd December.

It is aimed at older people in the West End – and takes place between 12 noon and 2 pm every Thursday between now and then

We have some funding for transport – so if you need transport, get in touch – details on poster.

Our final event, on 23rd December will have a Christmas theme.

It’s a great project – encouraging older people to get out of the house for a wee while to have a cup of tea/coffee, cake, scones, and a bowl of soup. 

The Friary Cafe itself offers a food larder (10 items for £2) and free fruit and vegetables from its community garden.

Temporary traffic order – Tullideph 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 pole renewal works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Tullideph Road (westbound between City Road and Ancrum Drive), Dundee.
 
This notice comes into effect on Sunday 10 November 2019  for one day.
 
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
 
Alternative routes are available via City Road / Logie Street / Ancrum Road
 
For further information contact 433082.
 
Head of Roads and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Tullideph Road – unused bus stops and bays

There are two bus stops and bays at the Lochee Road end of Tullideph Road that unfortunately have been unused for some time because the 17 bus service was re-routed.   See one of them below :
I have asked Xplore Dundee about bringing back the old 17 route as I think that would have the support of people in the Tullideph/Ancrum area, but the bus company is not willing to at this time.
 
I have highlighted to the City Development Department that there have been complaints about parking fixed penalties being imposed where vehicles have parked in the bays, which is not reasonable now that the bus stops are not used.    Clearly, allowing local people and people attending Balgay Parish Church and City Church – both nearby – to park there would make sense.
 
The City Council has advised me that :
 
“Our previous approach has been to leave poles in place (decommissioned) for around a year before physically removing them from the street.   I agree that some drivers may be deterred from parking but local residents will hopefully be aware of the situation.  There should be yellow posters on the bus stops explaining the bus stop is no longer served by buses.”  
 
It has been agreed to remove the clearway plates at the bays which will mean it is no longer an offence to park in these, now unused, bays.

Saturday activities …

Yesterday, I was pleased to attend the Summer Fayres at Ancrum Road and Blackness Primary Schools.   Both were really well attended, really enjoyable and really good value for money too – with adult entry at each only £1!
 
Here’s some Saturday photographs :
A busy Ancrum Primary School Summer Fayre
At the Ancrum Road Primary School Fayre 
Blackness Primary School’s event was equally well-attended
Always a good sport, Gordon Ferrier was back in the stocks!
City Church on Tullideph Road also had their Family Fun Day yesterday

New Post Box promised for sheltered tenants

Following my request to Royal Mail for an additional post box near to the Morven Terrace/Tullideph Road junction to benefit the elderly sheltered tenants of Morven Terrace and Ancrum Place, Royal Mail has confirmed that this will be provided.
 
The Deputy Head of External Relations at Royal Mail Group has advised me :
 
“I have raised your enquiry (on behalf of your constituents at Morven Terrace and Ancrum Place sheltered housing) about additional posting box facilities in the Dundee  area with our postbox strategy team. 
 
I am pleased to advise that after having taken into account all relevant factors, including the number of posting boxes in the area at the moment and the balance of economy against service provision, that we have decided to start the process to install the additional box requested.
 
As you might imagine with an installation of this type, there are several stages we need to go through before the box can be set up and this may take a little time. However, we’ll do all we can to ensure the process is completed as quickly as possible.”
 
Currently the nearest post box for residents in in City Road at Saggar Street and the tenants at the Morven Terrace/Ancrum Place sheltered housing asked if it might be possible to get Royal Mail to provide a new box closer to the sheltered housing.   
 
I am therefore pleased at the positive response to my request from Royal Mail.

Road safety concerns – Ancrum Drive at Tullideph Road

Following residents raising concerns visibility exiting Ancrum Drive at the junction with Tullideph Road, I raised the matter with the City Council and have received the following feedback from the Team Leader in the Network Management Team :

I have carried out an initial inspection of this location and from my initial observations there are no sight line concerns exiting Ancrum Drive on to Tullideph Road. 

When exiting there is a bus stop to the north of the junction which will make reduce visibility whist the bus is stopped for a short period for pick up and drop off of passengers. Vehicles would have to pull in behind the bus until it pulls away. 

To the south of the junction there are mature trees in the footway which may affect visibility but I will consult with our Environment Department to clarify if there would be a tree preservation order for these trees. 

I have consulted with our Road Safety Team and there are no records of any safety issues for this junction. 

I will arrange for a more detailed site inspection … for this junction.

Lack of bus shelters in Tullideph Road

The sheltered tenants at Tullideph have pointed out to me that the bus stops in Tullideph Road nearest the sheltered housing (near the Friary/Lochee Road – both sides) lack bus shelters.
 
Given the number of elderly folk using these stops, I asked the council if shelters can be considered and I have now been advised:
 
“We will add this to our list of outstanding shelter requests.”

Visit to City Church Dundee

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with the folk at City Church Dundee at the Friary in Tullideph Road and to drop in at their weekly “Community Bridge” which takes place every Monday between 11am and 1pm.   
 
The Community Bridge seeks to build community, promote social integration and provide support to individuals and families in need. The Bridge was launched in August 2012 and is based in The Friary’s Community Halls.   Not only does this excellent initiative provide help and support in a friendly and relaxing environment, all attending get a light lunch and tea/coffee free of charge.   
 
It is one of a number of excellent initiatives at the church – other initiatives include the Little Stars Group for pre-school children, the Hub youth drop-in and a Knit and Natter group every Monday evening.
 
It is great to see these excellent community initiatives taking place, with City Church Dundee making such a positive impact on community life in the area.

Recycling – Tullideph Road

I recently had a request from residents in Tullideph Road for an extension of the “green box” household recycling facility.    I raised this with the City Council and have been advised:
 
‘At the time of the green box trial introduction, a range of kerbside-serviced property types were to be included on the trial to assess service suitability\usage etc and as a result, not all streets within discrete areas were included. Also, streets with a high number of flatted properties were left off routes at that time, as the kerbside green boxes were not deemed suitable for communal dwellings. These factors explain why it appears that Tullideph Road has been missed out, with the other streets around it included.
We have no immediate route extension plans – a number of factors for future waste & recycling service introductions\extensions are currently under review, as you are probably aware. We will be determining the most appropriate services for different property types and will obviously communicate with members regarding these factors.’
 
I am anxious that the review of household recycling facilities that is presently taking place results in a significant improvement of facilities for many West End constituents and I will be keeping a close eye on progress towards this.

Tullideph Road and City Road off-licence applications defeated

On behalf of constituents, I recently objected to the off-licence applications at 17/19 Tullideph Road and 124 City Road on grounds of over-provision.     I am able to raise objections as I am not a member of the Licensing Board.
 
I am pleased to say that both applications were rejected on these grounds and it is clear from speaking with residents that this decision has strong support in the local community.

Additional bus service to assist part of the West End


A new peak time bus service, jointly funded by the City Council and Angus Council, and to be operated by National Express Dundee, will start next Monday (27th May) providing direct links between Piperdam, Liff, Ninewells Hospital and the City Centre.
The good news for the West End is that parts of the West End including Guthrie Street, Brook Street, Milnbank Road, City Road, Tullideph Road and Ancrum Road will be covered by the new route.    This is particularly welcome for those residents who used to rely on the former Stagecoach 74 service that was withdrawn back in 2009.
The timetable can be downloaded here.

City Church at the Friary – community update

It was really good news to learn recently from Craig Stocks of City Church at the Friary on Tullideph Road that the church as been awarded more than £257 000 to ensure essential repairs to preserve the building can be undertaken.    The funding comes from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic Scotland.
City Church has become an integral part of community life in its local area within the West End Ward and I have been pleased to attend a number of community events at the church over the past year or so.    Craig has recently advised me of the following excellent community activities that local residents are very much welcomed at:
“The Bridge” community café drop-in, Tuesdays 11.30am to 1.00pm. Free toasties, drinks and snacks in a warm and friendly space in the Friary Halls.
“Little Stars” parent and toddler group, 1.00pm to 3.00pm on Wednesdays, mums, dads, grannies, granddads must be accompanied by a little star (pre-school).
 
“The Hub” youth club. Thursday evening, 7.00-9.00pm, ages 14 and above, pool, table tennis, games, snacks etc.
 
All these events are aiming to build community well-being.

More West End Celebrations!

This afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending another West End Diamond Jubilee Party – this time at the Pennycook Lane Sheltered Housing Complex off Perth Road and involving the sheltered tenants at both Sinderins Court and Pennycook Court.

It was a lovely, friendly and enjoyable afternoon – here’s a few photos:
And – later on – I attended the superb Community BBQ at the Friary on Tullideph Road, organised by City Church.   Well over 600 local folk attended and a great time was had by all – again a few photos:
This evening, I had a really useful meeting with many of the residents of Ancrum Drive to discuss the parking issues in the street.   The meeting should have been in Ancrum Road Primary School, but the council failed to open up (despite a permit they had given me!) so we were all a wee bit cold by 7.30pm, standing talking in Gibb’s Lane.  But – the positive aspect is that we had a good discussion and I am really grateful to residents for their ideas and input to improve the parking situation for residents in the area.

Tullideph Road/Ancrum Road junction – road safety action

At the request of residents, I recently raised issues with the City Council about road safety at the Tullideph Road/Ancrum Road junction.   As one resident put it:

“I drive to work every morning and turn right at the end of Tullideph Road into Ancrum Road (heading towards the traffic lights).

It is difficult to see traffic coming down Ancrum Road from my left as there are usually 2 or 3 cars parked just around the corner of the junction.    Often you have to pull out ‘blind’ and hope that nothing is coming towards you.”

The City Council’s Head of Transportation has updated me as follows:

“The junction of Tullideph Road and Ancrum Road was identified as a site on a number of vehicle accidents and kerb lines were adjusted two years ago.
The build out has now encouraged drivers to park nearer the junction.  The solution is to lay double yellow lines and prohibit parking around the junction.  This proposal has been added to the list of future traffic orders.”

I am pleased that action to improve safety here is being taken although it is important that any alterations that are considered are subject to consultation with local residents.

Puffin Crossings

There have been various discussions at the Community Spirit Action Group, the residents’ group for the north of the West End Ward including Tullideph, Ancrum, Cleghorn and the Pentland area, about the operation of Puffin Crossings.  

This has been particularly focussed on the City Road/Tullideph Road lights, where I have met on-site with the Community Spirit Secretary and council road safety officers to discuss the operation of the junction.

The Community Spirit Secretary and I agree that the way the newer-style Puffin Crossings operate needs to be better publicised and a useful handout was available at the group’s last meeting on the subject.  You can download this by going to http://tinyurl.com/puffincommspirit.

Wednesday meetings

This morning, following the meeting about pedestrian safety at the Tullideph Road/City Road junction that local residents’ group Community Spirit and I had with City Council officers on 2nd February, we had a follow-up meeting at the junction.  

It was a useful discussion about safety at the junction and City Council road safety officers have offered to attend a future Community Spirit meeting to discuss concerns with local residents.

I then attended a meeting with Education officers about the building programme for the replacement Park Place Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School and Park Place Nursery School.

Thereafter, I attended the Dundee House Project Board, where I raised a number of questions and concerns about that project.   I then attended the City Council’s Scrutiny Committee, at which I raised questions about numerous matters on the agenda.  

I am disappointed to learn about the lack of progress on the time it takes Dundee City Council to let vacant council houses.   The SNP administration has gone on at length about its so-called ‘enhanced relets’ policy.  This has cost council tenants a fortune and the net result appears that – thus far – the time taken to let houses has actually and incredibly worsened.   

The Housing Department has given a commitment to improve on the 98.7 days it took to let houses (on average) last September (it was lower at 74.5 days in September 2009) and it has now set itself a target of 65 days – although it is not clear when they expect to achieve this.   The SNP’s flagship housing policy is not delivering.    

I also asked questions about ensuring that new tenants get Housing Benefit from the start of their tenancies, committee reports on revenue expenditure having better financial appraisals, customer excellence and on other matters.

Conservative councillor Derek Scott asked a very pertinent question about the lack of progress on Demand Responsive Transport (DRT).   As the previous Chair of TACTRAN, the regional transport partnership, I ensured that funding was available for pilot DRT projects for Dundee and a rural pilot in Perthshire/Stirling.   It is disappointing that the Dundee pilot has not moved forward under the SNP, as DRT would help elderly people, people with mobility difficulties and people not living near main bus routes get access to public transport.   At my request, an update report will go to City Development Committee.  This is to be welcomed.

Community Spirit meeting

This evening, I attended the February meeting of the Community Spirit Action Group, the residents’ group for the north of the West End Ward, including Tullideph, Ancrum, Cleghorn and the Pentland area.

There was an interesting presentation by Professor Andy Grieve on credit card fraud and identity theft and there was also a community safety update.

I updated the group about the parking pilot to improve parking in housing estates and also about the site visit Community Spirit’s secretary and I had with City Council officers earlier today about pedestrian safety at the Tullideph Road/City Road junction (see above right), following the implementation of new traffic lights late last year.   This was a useful site visit at which it was agreed to increase the time length of the ‘bleep’ that sounds when pedestrians can safely cross the road.

City Road/Tullideph Road pedestrian crossing

Last month, the new traffic lights at the City Road/Tullideph Road became operational. However, since then I have received a number of residents’ concerns about the way the crossing is operating for pedestrians. This is well summarised by one resident’s comments :

“Regarding the Traffic Lights at Tullideph/City Road they are working although the time for crossing is very short as they change from Green to Red before one is half way across the road and there is no beeping sound which is not very convenient for a person who has impaired sight.”

The City Council has advised me :

“The nearside redman greenman puffin pedestrian facility at the refurbished traffic signals at City Road / Tullideph Road are designed to operate so that the pedestrian sees the greenman indication (invitation to cross) and sets off across the road.

With a puffin facility, there is no indicator at the far side of the road to confuse the pedestrian when the indicator changes from greenman to redman. And when the pedestrian sets off across the road having seen the greenman, he is guaranteed enough time to cross the road, irrespective of whether he sees the greenman return to the redman indication. But the arrangement should be that once the pedestrian sees the greenman and begins to cross, he does not see any indication thereafter to confuse him (no indicator on the far side of the road).

As to the absence of an audible indication, I will have this checked and rectified.”

A site visit with residents, myself and a City Council roads officer to look at the junction’s operation will take place in the near future.