Update on bus timetables at stops #dundeewestend

As residents are aware, we have repeatedly raised with the City Council that, although real time bus information is working at bus shelters, paper timetables became been out of date following the bus companies altered services at the start of the COVID health emergency in 2020.

We pressed this issue on numerous occasions and were advised in February that 350 stops had now had up to date information on them.

However that means the majority still did not and this recent example from Hawkhill at the Sinderins underlines the problem - the timetable information here is from 2018!

We think proper information at bus stops is vital if the council is to successfully promote public transport - not everyone has access to an on-line app and many people get on a bus at a stop without a bus shelter and its real time information facility.

We have therefore highlighted this example to the council transportation team and asked for progress on the restoration of bus timetables at bus stops.

Further Harris Academy swimming update #dundeewestend

Further to our article yesterday about swimming provision for the wider community at Harris Academy, we received this update later yesterday from the Managing Director of Leisure & Culture Dundee :

Harris Swim & Sport Centre Update

Due to ongoing building work relating to the Harris Academy extension project, the Swim & Sports Centre will be unavailable from Monday 3rd July to Sunday 30th July 2023, inclusive. The power supply to the building is being upgraded, and there will be a four-week shutdown of all power.

The dry side activity areas (sports hall, gym hall, dance studio and fitness suite) are scheduled to reopen from Monday, 31st July. Due to additional health & safety pre-checks, it is anticipated that the swimming pool will reopen on Monday 7th August 2023.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our members and customers. You are welcome to use other Leisure & Culture Dundee facilities as an alternative.

Public Swimming sessions:

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 8:30pm - Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre *

Tuesday & Thursday - 6-9pm - St. Paul's Swim & Sport

Wednesday & Friday - 6-9pm - Grove Swim & Sport

Saturday: 9:30 - 4:00pm - Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre *

Sunday: 9:45 - 4:00pm - Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre *

* no lane swimming on site only public swimming set up

Fitness Suite opening times:

Monday - Friday: 7:45am - 8:30pm - Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre

Monday - Friday 6-9pm - Grove & St. Paul's Swim & Sport

Saturday: 9:00am-4:15pm - Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre

Sunday: 10:00am - 4:15pm - Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre

Saturday & Sunday - 9am-12:30pm - Grove & St. Paul's Swim & Sport

Swimming facilities over the summer holidays #dundeewestend

With the school summer holidays starting at the end of this week, we renewed our call for greater use of the facilities at Harris Academy to be made available to families over the holidays, particularly given the continuing non-availability of Olympia.

We took this up with the Managing Director of Leisure & Culture Dundee and have been updated as follows :

"Further to your email regarding access to the Harris facilities, Leisure & Culture Dundee has worked hard to increase access to swimming opportunities for public lane swimming, family swimming, clubs and the Learn to Swim programme. The majority of the additional programming has been based at St Paul's and Grove Academy as these are PPP schools under Robertson's management and can be opened for additional access without incurring additional Tayside Contract Facility staffing costs.

With the exception of 08:00-08:30, Leisure & Culture Dundee provide access to pools across the city to clubs, general public and learn to swim programmes between the hours of 06:00 – 21:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 – 17:00 at weekends. This provision is 7 hours less than when Olympia was available.

In 2018/19 Leisure & Culture Dundee ceased the weekend operation at Harris Academy due to lack of public demand for access, with attendances on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for swimming averaging 8 participants over both sessions. At the time, Leisure & Culture Dundee were subsidising these weekend afternoon sessions by £6k per annum.

At present, we are still working towards attaining pre-Covid levels and are not in a position to increase this provision given the additional costs required, but are closely monitoring the situation."

We have responded saying we have concerns that the good facilities at Harris Academy are simply under-used. We feel some further engagement with the local community should be made to ascertain current - as opposed to historical - demand.

Getting things done - Taylor's Lane

A bollard that separates the north and south sections of Taylor's Lane was recently hit by a vehicle.

We reported this to the Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received this helpful reply :

"An order has been raised for repairs to be carried out."

This work has now been done and bollard replaced.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 26 JUNE 2023

Lower Pleasance (Lower Pleasance Court to Brook Street) – closed from Monday 19 June for 5 days for gully replacement work.

Perth Road between Ninewells Avenue roundabout and Clovis Duveau Drive – rolling temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 13 June for 2 weeks for CityFibre works.

West Port – lane closure for one week from Monday 26 June for street lighting work.

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) – off-side northbound lane closure on Tuesday 27 June for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Blackness Road (Glenagnes Road to Seymour Street) – closed on Tuesday 4 July for Scottish Water work.

Greenfield Place – road closure for 5 days from Monday 10 July for street lighting works.

Blackness Road - give and take for one week from Monday 10 July for street lighting works.

Perth Road (at Riverside Drive) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Friday 14 July to 6.00am on Saturday 15 July for Scottish Water work.

Forest Park Place - give and take for one week from Monday 17 July for street lighting works.

Ninewells Community Garden - Community Garden Party! #dundeewestend

Getting things done - Pentland area #dundeewestend

We have recently had numerous complaints about environment management in the Pentland area including the overgrown mess near the bottom of Saggar Street and along Pentland Avenue, extent of weeds in part of Colinton Place and overgrown bushes at some of the steps in the area, making handrails unable to be accessed.

Our local environment manager has responded helpfully as follows :

"We will certainly tackle the weed control issues as indicated.

Unfortunately, our specific machine that cuts the grass embankment Pentland Avenue has developed a fault. We are currently trying to have this machine repaired by the supplier/manufacturer. We are exploring potential alternatives until our specialised machine is returned.

We will tackle the areas where growth is affecting the handrails and partially obstructing the footpath."

Community Gardens Open Day

Local community gardens Fruitbowls in Lochee Park, Ninewells Community Garden and Victoria Gardens are amongst the city-wide community gardens welcoming everyone this Saturday as part of Dundee’s Community Gardens Open Day and Wheelbarrow Trail.

More details in the poster and everyone welcome!

Getting things done - Bankmill Road and Milnbank Road #dundeewestend

We recently received this resident's concern about the gate at the playpark on the corner of Bankmill Road and Milnbank Road :

"The big gate that would open for the grass cutter is missing a padlock and kids can get out without any effort."

We reported this to environment management and received the following helpful response :

"We have attended the playpark and the gates appear to be functioning correctly. We have locked the gates with a new padlock."

Getting things done - Postal deliveries #dundeewestend

We recently had complaints about postal deliveries in parts of the West End, particularly in Pitfour Street and surrounding area.

We took this up with Royal Mail and have now been updated by its Senior Public Affairs Manager as follows :

"Thank you for your communication regarding mail deliveries to Pitfour Street in your West End Ward. Delivering a reliable service is our top priority, and I am very sorry that your constituents have cause for concern.

Royal Mail is continually adapting to the rapidly changing nature of the modern postbag, which now comprises more parcels and fewer letters. Since the start of the pandemic there has been a rapid acceleration in the decline of letters and an increase in parcels to an ever increasing number of addresses. We continually review delivery rounds, including addresses that are served by Dundee West Delivery Office. This is to ensure that postmen and women each have a fair distribution of workload.

After a review of delivery rounds at Dundee West Delivery Office, changes were recently implemented. This meant that the postman and woman are now delivering to a revised delivery round. The Customer Operations Manager advised that Dundee West Delivery Office has recently been experiencing resourcing issues due to higher than normal absence for this time of year. This has led to some disruption to mail deliveries to Pitfour Street, which I fully appreciate is incredibly frustrating. I apologise for the inconvenience this has caused your constituents.

The Customer Operations Manager has confirmed that mail deliveries to Pitfour Street are currently taking place on a rotational basis to minimise disruption. They are doing everything they can to ensure mail deliveries are as frequent as possible and are focused on returning to a six day service. This remains their priority."

Make Music Day!

From Sheena Wellington of Friends of Wighton :

Tomorrow - Wednesday 21st June - Make Music Day! 10.30am – 4.30pm (free to attend)

Celebrate Make Music Day at the Wighton! A chance to see some of our treasured music books up close and personal and to hear :

11am – 12 noon The Doolichters - Dundee’s oldest boy band. The Doolichters comprise 4 ageing but sophisticated musicians with their own peculiar take on their home city of Dundee. Currently working on the 4th album in their musical trilogy, they have taken time off from their busy recording schedule to add another live performance to their legendary world tour of Dundee (and thereabouts).

1.15pm – 1.45pm Morag Dunbar – fine traditional singer, well-known and loved across Scotland and originally from Kirkcaldy. While at Edinburgh University, she got into the lively scene, learning to play guitar, joining Edinburgh Folk Club and touring with the legendary Maggie and Liz Cruikshank. Now living in Balerno, she is one of the organisers of Balerno Folk Club, regularly performing there and, with friends, at other clubs.

1.55pm - 2.15pm Positive Notes - an Occupational Therapy Singing Group for adults with a learning disability. The group meet on Monday afternoons in the Wighton Centre & they all love to sing and have fun. The group sing everything from pop, rock, folk, jazz, motown & musicals. They also like to perform on stage twice a year with props and percussion for family and friends.

2.25pm – 3pm Wighton Singers – Wighton’s own, the group meets every Tuesday afternoon in the Wighton Heritage Centre under the musical direction of renowned singer and teacher, Amy Lord. Great voices, a wide-ranging repertoire and stunning harmonies!

In between times there will be impromptu tunes and songs from Wighton Friends and visiting musicians – bring your voice and/or instrument along and Make Music!

Update on Perth Road environmental improvements #dundeewestend

Residents will recall the information we have previously posted on possible environmental improvements in Perth Road at three locations - Pennycook Lane outside the police station, the Miller's Wynd car park and area around the West End Community Fridge and the Sinderins "triangle."

We updated residents back in February with the detailed designs and sought feedback which was very positive.    This will brighten up the three sites.

It had been hoped that tender reports for approval would have come to council committee for approval this month but we have been updated by the lead officer as follows :

"The Perth Road project has hit some significant problems at Pennycook Lane.

In short, we've uncovered a whole host of underground issues including very shallow foundations on the adjacent building and a large void under the stairs. We’ve had to redesign the solution there to reduce the weight which has caused us a bit of delay meaning we had to miss June Committee.

The next available committee is now August. All 3 Perth Road sites are linked as they're in the same tender package for the contractors.

On a more positive note, I spotted in the community council minutes that there was an issue with the notice board outside Sainsbury’s and they were looking to make funding applications to replace it. I've included a new notice board within the package of works and let them know."

Many thanks to The Little Green Larder #dundeewestend

Many thanks to The Little Green Larder in Perth Road for the invitation to its relaunch event last night, to celebrate the recent revamping of the shop.

We're pictured with Jillian Crabb, owner of The Little Green Larder.

The shop puts the planet and the people in our community at the forefront of everything it does.    Alongside donating a portion of its profits, it has fundraised over £4 500 for local businesses and charities since opening in 2019.

It also donate excess food to community fridges, and dried foods to our local food banks.

Wishing Jillian and team all the best!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 JUNE 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Lower Pleasance (Lower Pleasance Court to Brook Street) – closed from Monday 19 June for 5 days for gully replacement work.

Perth Road between Ninewells Avenue roundabout and Clovis Duveau Drive – rolling temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 13 June for 2 weeks for CityFibre works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

West Port – lane closure for one week from Monday 26 June for street lighting work.

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) – off-side northbound lane closure on Tuesday 27 June for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road (Glenagnes Road to Seymour Street) – closed on Tuesday 4 July for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road - give and take for one week from Monday 10 July for street lighting works.

Forest Park Place - give and take for one week from Monday 17 July for street lighting works.

Dundee Community Cars

Community Cars is a great local charity that provides an affordable and accessible transport service for Dundee’s over 65 community.

It is looking for more volunteer drivers.

If you can help, please call 305721 – many thanks!

West End weekly surgeries #dundeewestend

Michael's weekly ward surgeries take place tonight as follows :

West End campus (St Joseph's RC and Victoria Park PS reception area) - 5.45pm prompt

Harris Academy reception area - 6.30pm prompt

All welcome - no appointment necessary!

Outside In at Roseangle Gallery #dundeewestend

A Group Art Show called Outside In is taking place at the Dundee Art Society's Roseangle Gallery.

The opening night is this Friday - 16th June - from 7pm to 9pm, with the show continuing from 17th June to 25th June daily from 10am to 5pm - all welcome!

Fraser's West End ward surgeries update #dundeewestend

Just a reminder Fraser's West End weekly ward surgeries are today.

They are at Blackness Library at 5pm prompt and Ancrum Road Primary School at 5.45pm prompt.

No appointment necessary and all welcome!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 12 JUNE 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Lower Pleasance (Lower Pleasance Court to Brook Street) – closed from Monday 12 June for 10 days for gully replacement work.

Perth Road between Ninewells Avenue roundabout and Clovis Duveau Drive – rolling temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 13 June for 2 weeks for CityFibre works.

Explorer Road – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 14 June for 4 days for CityFibre works.

West Port – temporary traffic lights from Saturday 17 June to Monday 19 June for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

West Port – lane closure for one week from Monday 26 June for street lighting work.

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) – off-side northbound lane closure on Tuesday 27 June for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road (Glenagnes Road to Seymour Street) – closed on Tuesday 4 July for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road - give and take for one week from Monday 10 July for street lighting works.

Forest Park Place - give and take for one week from Monday 17 July for street lighting works.

Getting things done - Rosefield Place #dundeewestend

We have received further concerns about the continual mess at the Eurobins in Rosefield Place.   Most are council bins but there is also private contractor provision here.

As well as asking for a clean-up, we have requested a review of bin collection arrangements here as the street near the junction with Blackness Road is regularly a mess.

Scottish Child Payment

Residents have asked about who qualifies for the Scottish Child Payment.

You may be able to get Scottish Child Payment if all of the following apply :

✅ you live in Scotland

✅ you or your partner are getting qualifying benefits or payments including Universal Credit and tax credits

✅ you or your partner are the main person looking after a child who is under 16 years old

To find out more about Scottish Child Payment and the qualifying benefits go to the following link - www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment

Getting things done - Ninewells Avenue #dundeewestend

Some time ago, at our request, the white lining in the middle of Ninewells Avenue, south of the hospital entrance, was repainted.

However, the lining in north of the hospital entrance along the street is now very badly faded and we have therefore asked the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership to raise an Order to have this refreshed.

Robert Leishman - The Poet's Dreams

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

The current exhibition in the university's Tower Foyer Gallery invites you to enter the dream-like world of painter Robert Leishman SSA RSW (1916-1989), who was highly acclaimed for his magical paintings featuring floating figures, birds, flowers and other symbolic imagery.

Born in Inverkeithing and trained in Edinburgh, Leishman taught art in various schools in Fife before coming to Dundee in the 1960s to teach at Kirkton High School.

He exhibited widely and was nationally renowned, yet this is the first significant exhibition of his work in over 30 years. It features a range of oils, watercolours and drawings from throughout his career including works never before seen in public.

The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday until 24th June – for further details visit www.dundee.ac.uk/events/robert-leishman-poets-dreams

Getting things done - lighting south of Ninewells Hospital #dundeewestend

A resident recently contacted us as follows :

"I walk to Ninewells hospital daily from the Invergowrie end of the Perth Road. There is a lack of lighting as you walk down the path past the Maggie’s Centre towards the Technology Park (that runs behind Carseview) and I wondered if this path can be considered for better lighting please?

The path is used by many people and in the midst of winter when there is very little daylight, walking home doesn’t feel terribly safe when you are walking alone to and from work."

The council's street lighting partnership manager advised us :

"I’m afraid that it doesn’t appear to be the Council’s responsibility. As you can see from the drawing – I’ve highlighted in yellow the paths that are not the council's - blue is council roads and footpaths."

We therefore contacted NHS Tayside and its Head of Property advises :

"We have been in contact with the Central Legal Office to determine with certainty ownership and responsibilities etc. I am informed the outcome should be with us shortly.

I have instructed the Estates Division that whilst we await clarification, any practical steps to ensure paths are at least clear etc. are to be taken."

We will, of course, keep residents updated.

Friends of Blackness - summer fair at Blackness Primary School #dundeewestend

 

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 5 JUNE 2023

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works.

Westfield Place – closed from Monday 5 June for 3 days for Street Lighting work.

South Tay Street – temporary traffic lights from Monday 5 June for 3 days for City Fibre work.

Hawkhill (at Peddie Street) – temporary traffic lights from 9.00am on Wednesday 7 June to 6.00am on Thursday 8 June for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lower Pleasance (Lower Pleasance Court to Brook Street) – closed from Monday 12 June for 10 days for gully replacement work.

Perth Road between Ninewells Avenue roundabout and Clovis Duveau Drive – rolling temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 13 June for 2 weeks for CityFibre works.

Explorer Road – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 14 June for 4 days for CityFibre works.

West Port – lane closure for one week from Monday 26 June for street lighting work.

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) – off-side northbound lane closure on Tuesday 27 June for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road (Glenagnes Road to Seymour Street) – closed on Tuesday 4 July for Scottish Water work.

Blackness Road - give and take for one week from Monday 10 July for street lighting works.

Forest Park Place - give and take for one week Monday 17 July for street lighting works.

Getting things done - Planet Trail at Balgay Park #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that Fraser recently met with the Chair of West End Community Council and two senior members of the council environment management team at Greater Balgay to walk round the park to discuss management issues.

One of the issues highlighted was deterioration of the Planet Trail's signage and we are pleased to say that we have now had an assurance from a senior environment management officer as follows :

"I have authorised the area officer to replace the Perspex in the Planet Trail."

Sheltered shopping bus service #dundeewestend

The council’s shoppers’ bus service restarted in June 2022 after being withdrawn at the end of March 2020 due to the pandemic.   It aims to help older residents mainly in sheltered housing get to a supermarket and back each week.

The service operates Tuesday to Friday every week and in the West End runs as follows :

Tuesdays – Pick up at Tullideph Place (12.05pm), Logie lounge in Lime Street (12.10pm) then Pine Court in Logie Gardens (12.15pm) to take folk to Tesco Riverside and return.

Thursdays – Pick up at Corso Street (10.10am), Pennycook Lane (10.15am), Muirlands (10.20am) and Paton’s Lane (10.25am) to take folk to Tesco Riverside and return.

Sadly, the SNP administration on the council decided to axe the service from April 2024, something the Liberal Democrat Group opposed at the council budget earlier this year.   Unfortunately the SNP decision to axe the service won the vote.  

The council is now trying to get one of the community transport operators to take the service on and our group strongly feels this vital service must be saved.

Temporary Traffic Order - Magdalen Yard 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 road safety measures during Westfest event being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Magdalen Yard Road (westbound between Thomson Street and Windsor Street), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 4 June 2023 for one day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Roseangle / Perth Road / Windsor Street

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Keys to Life event #dundeewestend

The Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership is working in conjunction with the community teams in each ward in Dundee to hold these 'Keys to Life in your Community' events.

This is aimed at people with learning disabilities and autism along with their carers/family and support staff to find out what goes on in their local areas.

The West End event takes place on Tuesday 13th June from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Logie & St John's (Cross) Church Hall in Shaftesbury Terrace.

For more information, contact Joyce Barclay, Senior Officer, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership on 07960 389827.