City Road Allotments Open Day - all welcome! #dundeewestend

This year's City Road Allotments Open Day this Saturday - 3rd August - 11am to 3pm - has stalls with fruit and produce grown on the allotments, an art sale, wine tasting, crafts and plants sale.

The is a BBQ, refreshments, tombola, activities for children and a site walk.   

As part of City Road Allotments' aim to provide an environment that supports wildlife, they will have stalls from the Countryside Rangers and Froglife which have lots of really useful information and activities. 

All welcome!

Fraser's surgeries update #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that as it is the school holidays, Fraser's usual ward surgeries do not take place today.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 JULY 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks: 

• Ancrum Road (westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road) for one week;

• City Road (southbound between Tullideph Road and Cleghorn Street) for one week; and

• City Road (Cleghorn Street to Milnbank Gardens) closed from Monday 5 August for 3 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 29 July for 5 weeks for street lighting works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Blackness Road (at Harrow Street) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 6 August for BT work.

Blether Tay-Gither monthly storytelling club : Unhappily Ever After

From Blether Tay-Gither, the Dundee storytelling club :

Date : Tuesday 30th July - 7pm to 9pm

Theme : Unhappily Ever After

Location : Dudhope Castle

This month the storytelling club is looking at stories that don't have such a happy ending, something some of our storytellers delight in anyway.

In many cultures the end of the story is not always encouraging, in fact quite the opposite.

Come along to share a story, or just to listen and have a blether.

All welcome!

Strength and Balance free class today at Victoria Gardens! #dundeewestend

Dundee Age Concern - Summer Fayre!

Fraser is the Vice-Chair of the Dundee Age Concern Board and would like to encourage residents to pop along to its Summer Fayre tomorrow - Saturday 27th July - at the Fiveways Centre at the bottom of Caird Avenue.    It takes place between 10am and 2pm.

Please support this worthwhile cause - and lots of entertainment too!

West End ward surgeries update #dundeewestend

Because of the school holidays, Michael's usual ward surgeries do not take place today.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk

Harris Academy - Youth and Philanthropy Initiative #dundeewestend

Harris Academy is reaching out to local charitable organisations about their Youth and Philanthropy initiative.

This initiative does have a financial prize given to the top 3 charities chosen, and is also a great way to inform young people about your organisation and the work you do, as well as young people gaining insight into the work and reach of the third sector.

YPI is an active citizenship initiative which empowers young people to make a difference in our community. Students at school learn about the needs of Dundee communities, and the role that they can play, while developing key skills through a real-life learning experience.

There are two dates for engagement with charities that it would like to offer.

+ The first potentially is September 9th 2024, an information session to provide charities with an introduction to YPI and the commitment they hope to gain from their collaboration with the young people.

+ The main event charity fayre will take place on Tuesday 29th October 8.45-10.25, the first two periods. This is when the 2nd year students come along to the gym hall to interact with the charities. The school will provide tables and displays but unfortunately no sockets will be available.

Students will use their research to make presentations on the reasons that their chosen charity is most deserving of support. The team judged to have made the most compelling presentation will be secure the school’s £3000 YPI grant.

The Wood Foundation is the operational manager and principal funder of YPI, and in Dundee it is supported by The Northwood Charitable Trust and Balgay Children’s Society. The Balgay Children's Society facilitate a 2nd place prize of £1000 and a 3rd place prize of £500.

If you are interested in this or simply wish to find out more information, please contact Laura Quinn at Harris Academy by email lquinn451@dundeeschools.scot

West End ward surgeries #dundeewestend

As it is the school holidays, Fraser's usual ward surgeries do not take place today.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 22 JULY 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks: 

• Ancrum Road (westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road) for 2 weeks.

• City Road (southbound between Tullideph Road and Cleghorn Street) for one week; and

• City Road (Cleghorn Street to Milnbank Gardens) closed Monday 29 July for 3 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 10 months for third party works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Brewery Lane – give and take from Monday 29 July for 5 weeks for street lighting works.

Blackness Road (at Harrow Street) – off‑peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 6 August for BT work.

Ninewells Community Garden - Summer Garden Club #dundeewestend

Ninewells Community Garden has announced the return of its Summer Garden Club.

This is a free event for children but they must be supervised at all times.

There will be a range of gardening, cooking, dance and craft activities for all to try out.

Get outside and spend some time in the wonderful garden during the holidays!

Every Wednesday 11am until 3pm until 7th August.

Change Minds - Exploring Stories from Dundee's Asylums

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

Change Minds - Exploring stories from Dundee's asylums

An exhibition in Dundee Central Library, Wellgate Centre, open until Saturday 3rd August.

This fascinating exhibition looks at what life was like in Tayside asylums in the 19th century.

The exhibition was created by the participants in a National Lottery Heritage Fund project led by the University Archives called Change Minds.

This unique heritage and creative wellbeing project encouraged people with mental health challenges to use historical archives to research and develop creative responses to the lives of asylum patients in the past, developing a deeper understanding of their own experience along the way.

The exhibition features images and items from the Archives and reflections on both historical approaches to mental health care and those of today.

More information is available at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/events/event/33089

Band concert at Magdalen Green this Sunday! #dundeewestend

Michael's Thursday surgeries #dundeewestend

Because of the school holidays, Michael's usual ward surgeries do not take place today.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk

Airborne Forces Day event at Riverside #dundeewestend

The Tayside Parachute Regimental Association will be be hosting Airborne Forces Day Scotland for the first time on Saturday 20th July at Riverside - on the pitches west of Barnetts Motors and east of the pavilion opposite the Bridgeview Station Restaurant.

The event - which is free of charge to attend - will start with a special military tribute at 11am, complete with band, and the event runs until 5pm.

There will be hot and fresh food from Angus Farmers' Market with over 20 vendors.

There will be WWII military vehicles on show, a British Army Jackal 3 vehicle, an Army Cadets Force display and a chance to meet 'Pegasus' - The Parachute Regimental Association Shetland Pony mascot.

More information available at www.facebook.com/events/1007178354433945

Local community groups are also taking part - all welcome!

Fraser's surgeries update #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that as it is the school holidays, Fraser's usual ward surgeries do not take place today.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 15 JULY 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks: 

• Ancrum Road (westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road) for 3 weeks.

• City Road (southbound between Tullideph Road and Cleghorn Street) for 2 weeks; and

• City Road (Cleghorn Street to Milnbank Gardens) closed Monday 29 July for 3 weeks.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) contraflow for 3 weeks for third party works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Brewery Lane – give and take Monday 29 July for 5 weeks for street lighting works.

Blackness Road (at Harrow Street) – off peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) temporary traffic lights Tuesday 6 August for BT work.

Latest Friends of Wighton event!

From Sheena Wellington of Friends of Wighton :

Saturday 20th July at 11am - Cappuccino Concert with sisters Sally Garden and Alison Hart

Songs and Springs from Scotland and Scandinavia

Another important part of the Wighton story, singer and musicologist Sally Garden (pictured) was our inaugural Historical Musician in Residence and we are delighted to welcome her, accompanied by her sister Alison Hart, for what promises to be a fascinating programme.

Play Sufficiency Assessment Survey

Dundee City Council is preparing a Play Sufficiency Assessment to comply with the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

This will be submitted to the Scottish Government as part of the evidence base for the next Local Development Plan.

As part of this, an online survey has been created to gain insights from children and young people, parents and carers and those who work with them about where they like to play/hang out and why. This will be used to improve the quality and accessibility of outdoor play in Dundee.

The Play Sufficiency Survey can be accessed at the following link - http://tiny.cc/play-sufficiency

Should you wish to share any views or comments, then please do so by 30th August 2024.

Getting things done - Ashbank Road #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently highlighted the badly deteriorated road surface in Ashbank Road near the junction with Blackness Road.

We raised this with the Roads Maintenance Partnership and have been advised that Category 3 repairs will be undertaken to tackle this.

Getting things done - Pennycook Lane car park #dundeewestend

Residents recently contacted us about the overgrown and unsightly area at the south end of the Pennycook Lane car park - next to the top of Ford's Lane.

We have contacted the council's parking team to see if this part of land is part of the car parking asset on the parking account and, assuming so, to ensure it is tidied up.

Ninewells Community Garden - Big Biodiversity Bash #dundeewestend

All welcome at the Ninewells Community Garden Big Biodiversity Bash next Saturday 13th July - 11am to 3pm.

Just drop in and event is free of charge!

No ward surgeries tonight #dundeewestend

As we are now into the school holidays, Fraser's usual ward surgeries do not take place today - nor do Michael's on Thursday.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 8 JULY 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks: 

• Ancrum Road (westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road) for 3 weeks.

• City Road (southbound between Tullideph Road and Cleghorn Street) for 2 weeks; and

• Milnbank Gardens until Monday 8 July.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

West Marketgait - northbound lane restriction between Greenmarket and Nethergate (adjacent to new BT Building) on Monday 8 July between 9.30am and 3.30pm only for road lining works.

Perth Road (at West Park Road) – temporary traffic lights Saturday 13 July for Commsworld work.

James Black Place (outside bus stances) – closed to buses from 9.00am on Sunday 14 July to 6.00am on Monday 15 July for Scottish Water work.

Holiday Bible Club at St Peter's Free Church #dundeewestend

St Peter's Free Church is running its annual, free Holiday Bible Club again this summer.

The club is for children from P1-S2 and runs every morning from Monday 29th July - Friday 2nd August.

An optional lunch is available from 12 noon to 12.30pm.

A booking form is available at http://tiny.cc/St-Peters-Form and more details are available at www.facebook.com/events/1444904589471133

Dundee Holiday Fun

During the school holidays, there’s a programme of summer events and activities been launched to help local families.

Schools are sending out details of what’s taking place, and you can find out what’s available in your local area by going to https://bit.ly/DundeeHolidayFun

Activities on offer include :

• Outdoor Adventure Days including mountain biking, gorge walking, rock climbing and abseiling

• Sports including football camps and dance camps, multi-sports camps, intensive swim lessons and lifeguard training

• Early years – lots of fun activities for families with babies and early years children such as boogie babies, messy play, baby massage and baby yoga

• Out of School Care holiday camps, community centre and library activities, loose parts play/art workshops, family food and fun in local communities

• Continuing on from last summer, the city is supporting inclusion for children with Additional Support Needs/disabilities. This includes provision at Kingspark School, The Yard and Barnardo’s

• A number of schools in partnership with third sector organisations and council services continue to provide support during the summer holidays

• Some activities will also be offering free food from our partnership with Dundee Bairns. Consideration is given to tackling food insecurity and promoting healthy eating

The Dundee Holiday Fun web page includes links to activities which are organised by Leisure & Culture Dundee.

Postal deliveries - Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Following concerns from residents about the regularity of postal deliveries in the eastern part of Blackness Road, we contacted Royal Mail regarding this.

Royal Mail's Senior Public Affairs Manager has responded as follows :

"Thank you for your recent communication regarding mail deliveries Blackness Road in your constituency served by Dundee Central Delivery Office. I am sorry for the concern caused.

I have made some enquiries with the Customer Operations Manager for Dundee Central Delivery Office and can confirm there are currently no known issues with the delivery of mail to Blackness Road. The Manager confirms that mail deliveries to Blackness Road are taking place six days a week, when mail is available to deliver. Should a delivery round not be completed on a particular day. It will become the priority the following working day.

Unfortunately, mail items sent First or Second Class standard post are not tracked as they travel through the postal network. We therefore would be unable to make any meaningful enquiries to understand why certain items posted to your constituent may not have been delivered. I am very sorry. 

I would like to give you my assurance that quality of services is paramount importance to Royal Mail and we are constantly striving to ensure that our customers receive and excellent level of service."

We would be pleased to hear from any resident in the West End with concerns about mail deliveries and we will raise any further issues with Royal Mail management.

Vote Scottish Liberal Democrat today!

Today is polling day in the General Election.

At the heart of the Scottish Liberal Democrat manifesto is a £500 million rescue package for care, enabling people to be released from hospital, relieving pressure on the NHS and giving a fair deal to family carers.

We will :

Create a new Carer's Minimum Wage, boosting the minimum wage for care workers by £2 an hour;

Give unpaid carers a fair deal, lifting Carer's Allowance/Carer Support Payment by £1,040 a year and removing the earnings cliff-edge.

The party's plans will also:

Establish the world-class mental health services Scotland needs, meaning every school pupil has fast access to a mental health counsellor, new mental health staff working alongside GPs and A&Es, and extra help for businesses, backed by £150m from taxing social media companies;

Deliver £170m more for Scottish agriculture;

Generate an extra £1 billion in capital funding for Scotland which the party say could be used to build new local health facilities, tackle the housing emergency, end the scandal of crumbling concrete in public buildings, and stop sewage dumping.

Make homes warmer and cheaper to heat with a ten-year emergency upgrade programme, starting with free insulation and heat pumps for those on low incomes.

Alex said :

"Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote to elect a strong local champion focused on getting you fast access to GPs and dentists, and giving our nation's carers a fair deal.

"We will stop sewage being dumped in our rivers, lift up Scottish education, and deliver warm homes that insulate you from the cost of living crisis.

"Our vision is of a better Britain where we work in partnership, restoring your faith in politics and fixing our broken relationship with Europe.

"Just like they Conservatives, the SNP have got to go. Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats can beat the nationalists in huge swathes of Scotland.

"Hope and change are just around the corner, you only need to vote for them. Back the Liberal Democrats for a fair deal for you, your family, and for Scotland."

The Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate in our Dundee Central constituency is Councillor Daniel Coleman - please support Daniel today.

Summer programme at Blackness Library #dundeewestend

There's a great programme of daily activities at Blackness Library for all local children, taking place over the school summer holidays.

A whole host of activities includes the reading hour, Warhammer, Great Big Bookbug and Monday Mayhem - Ted Talks.

A full list of activities is available to pick up at the library - all welcome!

Our West End ward surgeries #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that Fraser's surgeries today do not take place as it is during the school summer holidays - nor do Michael's on Thursday.

However, we can be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by email at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 1 JULY 2024

Blinshall Street (Douglas Street to 50 metres south) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Douglas Street (Blinshall Street to Brown Street) - temporary traffic lights until December 2024 for construction works.

Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed until December 2024 for construction works.

Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development until November 2025.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks:  week commencing 24 June – Milnbank Gardens closed; and Ancrum Road closed westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road.     Includes :

• Ancrum Road (westbound between Tullideph Road and Glamis Road);

• Tullideph Road (westbound between City Road and Ancrum Road);

• City Road (southbound between Tullideph Road and Milnbank Gardens); and

• Milnbank Gardens.

Apollo Way/Explorer Road/Gemini Crescent – road closures for 2 nights (7.00pm to 6.00am) from Monday 24 June for carriageway resurfacing and enabling works.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 11 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am) lane closures for one week for third party work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

West Marketgait - northbound lane restriction between Greenmarket and Nethergate (adjacent to new BT Building) on Monday 8 July between 9.30am and 3.30pm only for road lining works.

James Black Place (outside bus stances) – closed to buses from 9.00am on Sunday 14 July to 6.00am on Monday 15 July for Scottish Water work.