West End Thursday surgeries today - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Michael’s surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Magdalen Green #dundeewestend

We are grateful to the Friends of Magdalen Green who altered us recently to the fact that some individual had drawn over the Magdalen Green bandstand floor - really unfortunate.

We took this up with the council's local environment manager and are grateful for the action taken and this helpful response :

"Our operative attended the bandstand and we have managed to remove what appears to be crayon drawn on the floor of the bandstand."

Obviously most residents treat the bandstand and the green with respect and it is hoped that there will be no repetition of this damage to the bandstand.

West End Tuesday surgeries today - all welcome! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 28 OCTOBER 2024

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.

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.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – insofar as it affects the West End Ward :

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound for one week. *

* This road closure should have ended at the end of last week but unfortunately will now run another – but final - week.    The Senior Supervisor (Network Management) at Dundee City Council has advised :

“SGN is onsite now dealing with the live/dead main discovered last week.

Wood will then be tarring up both sites next week, bringing in a lining team to reinstate the centre line down City Road.    They will also have the anti-skid replaced on Ancrum Road at the pedestrian crossing.”

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 10 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am Monday - Friday) contraflow from Monday 1 July 2024 for 10 months for third party works.

Session Street – closed for one week for Scottish Water work.

Explorer Road (at Apollo Way) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 28 October (8.00am to 6.00pm) for one week for WHP Telecommunications work.

Blackness Road (at Seymour Street) – temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 29 October for one week for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Lochee Road (West Marketgait to Park Street) – rolling temporary traffic lights on Sunday 10 November for Scottish Water work.

Marchfield Road/Crescent and Hyndford Street – road closure from Monday 11 November for 5 days for Category 4 patching.

Perth Road (at Westfield Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 13 November to Sunday 17 November for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Logie Street (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from 9.00am on Sunday 17 November to 6.00am on Monday 18 November for Scottish Water work.

Explorer Road (at Apollo Way) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 18 November (8.00am to 6.00pm) for 2 days for WHP Telecommunications work.

Tait’s Lane – closed from Monday 25 November for 5 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

West End Community Fridge success! #dundeewestend

We'd like today to give a big shout out to our friends at Transition Dundee for the continuing success of the West End Community Fridge.

As Transition Dundee says :

"Everyone who visits the West End Community Fridge becomes a Food Waste Warrior as all the food we get is surplus and may have ended up in landfill.

Last month we had 2,143 visits with 4,859 people ultimately benefitting from the food we gave out.

The Community Fridge is open to everyone and no referrals are needed. Pop along during our opening times Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 2pm and always bring a bag."

Vote for Dundee #WeLoveDundee

From Dundee’s Sustainability & Climate Change Officer :

Dundee needs your support to win the #OnePlanetCityChallenge!

Dundee was nominated as the only Scottish city to participate in WWF's #WeLoveCities Challenge. We Love Cities is a global campaign that allows people to show their support for sustainable urban development by voting, engaging with and celebrating their city’s sustainability and climate action plans.

Dundee is embracing the climate challenge with a bold action plan that aims to transition our beautiful city to a green, net-zero, and climate-resilient future by 2045.

Here's how we're making it happen :

🏠 Energy Efficiency: We're supporting retrofit programmes to upgrade the energy efficiency of private homes and investing in low- and zero-carbon technologies for buildings.

🚗 Sustainable Transportation: Dundee has built an extensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure to encourage the transition to cleaner transportation.

♻️ Waste Management: We're not just reducing waste - we're also lowering emissions from waste disposal. It's a climate-friendly approach to rubbish removal!

🦋 Nature-Based Solutions: Dundee is creating wildlife corridors and maintaining sand dunes for natural flood defence. These initiatives not only build resilience to climate change impacts but also help sequester carbon, contributing to our emissions reduction goals.

🌿 Green Future: From transportation to wildlife, we're adopting measures that address every aspect of urban life to create a sustainable Dundee.

Please vote for Dundee at https://welovecities.org/city/dundee - you can vote once a day throughout what remains of October – many thanks!

Cappuccino Concert at Friends of Wighton!

From Sheena Wellington of Friends of Wighton :

Tomorrow - Saturday 26th October - at 11am, Friends of Wighton is having a Cappuccino Concert - Chloe Matharu, song and harp.

Chloe Matharu is an award-winning Scottish Indian singer songwriter and harpist from Wemyss Bay on the West Coast of Scotland.     Many of her songs draw on her time as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, inspired by the natural world as experienced at sea. On tour she performs solo with her harp in English, Scots and Welsh.

She has performed at impressive venues such as Celtic Connections, Cambridge Folk Festival, Glad Cafe Glasgow, Green Note in London, Fringe by the Sea, Edinburgh Fringe and Hartlepool Folk Festival.

Chloe received Celtic Music Radio’s Album of the Year for her debut album, Small Voyages, which was released in October 2022. In 2023 she performed live on BBC Radio Four Woman’s Hour, BBC Scotland News TV programme 'The Seven', interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland’s 'The Afternoon Show'.    Chloe lives on her family run Alpaca Trekking and Goat Yoga centre.

The concert takes place in the Wighton Heritage Centre in the Central Library - admission £5, tea/coffee available for donation - all welcome!

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries return tonight! #dundeewestend

With the return of the schools this week following the October school holidays, Michael’s ward surgeries start again today and take place every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

"My Dundee" - talk at Blackness Library #dundeewestend

Excellent local artist Pauline Lavery is doing a talk about her work in Blackness Library this coming Saturday - 26th October - at 10.30am.

All welcome!

Tickets are free but you need to book either by calling into Blackness Library or through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/my-dundee-artist-talk-by-pauline-lavery-tickets-1020556480907

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries return tonight! #dundeewestend

Following the return of the schools yesterday, Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries return later today and take place every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 21 OCTOBER 2024

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.

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.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – insofar as it affects the West End Ward : 

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound for one week.

Riverside Avenue/Dykes of Gray Road (at Swallow roundabout) - closed Monday to Friday overnight (7.00pm to 7.00am) from Monday 1 July for 10 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am Monday - Friday) contraflow from Monday 1 July 2024 for 10 months for third party works.

Riverside Drive (at Tesco service roundabout) – lane closures from Monday 21 October for 3 days for landscaping work.

Session Street – closed on Wednesday 23 October for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Explorer Road (at Apollo Way) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 28 October (8.00am to 6.00pm) for one week for WHP Telecommunications work.

Perth Road (at Westfield Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 13 November to Sunday 17 November for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Logie Street (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from 9.00am on Sunday 17 November to 6.00am on Monday 18 November for Scottish Water work.

Explorer Road (at Apollo Way) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 18 November (8.00am to 6.00pm) for 2 days for WHP Telecommunications work.

Tait's Lane – closed from Monday 25 November for 5 days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

A beautiful West End garden! #dundeewestend

In past years we featured, as part of the City Council's garden and allotment competition, the beautiful garden of Mr James Stirton of Hyndford Place.

We were delighted when his family recently contacted us to say that "he (continues to put) all his effort into his garden.

"He used to be a national champion and judged many allotment shows. He had two allotments that he has now had to give up.

"His vegetable growing got him on TV.   

"He has his garden blooming like this into the autumn is a statement to his dedication."

The very recent photos of Mr Stirton's garden show just how lovely it is and a real credit to the West End community!

Getting things done - Seafield Lane #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns from residents that directional signage in Seafield Lane is very worn and becoming unreadable - see photos.

We have therefore asked the City Council to have the signage replaced.

Getting things done - Hyndford Place #dundeewestend

We have received recently a number of residents' concerns about deterioration of the road surface in Hyndford Place - see photos.

We raised these with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following helpful response :

"There are currently a number of outstanding orders to be done here with a timescale for completion of thirty working days so repairs should be carried out fairly soon."

West End Ward Thursday Surgeries #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that, with the schools closed for the October holidays, Michael's usual weekly ward surgeries do not recommence until after the school holidays, but return next week.

However, we can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns - just e-mail westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks!

Resurfacing of West Park Road #dundeewestend

As residents are aware, we have long-campaigned for the resurfacing of most of West Park Road and are very pleased that this was finally successful last month - Michael is pictured at the new road surface - a vast improvement on the potholed and badly deteriorated, old surface.

Whilst this is good news, it must be remembered that the current budget is wholly inadequate and far too few roads and footpaths are being upgraded. It is particularly stark this year and brings into focus the bad effect of many years of SNP under-investment in pavements and roads.

At the council’s revenue budget, the Liberal Democrat Group proposed an additional £2 million next year for roads resurfacing and £1 million on pavements resurfacing to properly tackle the state of many footpaths and road surfaces that we get so many complaints about.

Unfortunately, the SNP voted down the LibDem budget proposals 15-12, but we will continue to campaign for roads and pavements improvements across the West End.

West End Ward Tuesday Surgeries #dundeewestend

Just a reminder that, with the schools closed for the October holidays, Fraser's usual weekly ward surgeries do not recommence until after the school holidays, but will be back next week.

However, we can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns - just e-mail 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 14 OCTOBER 2024

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.

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.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – insofar as it affects the West End Ward : 

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound for 2 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 10 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am Monday - Friday) contraflow from Monday 1 July 2024 for 10 months for third party works.

Lower Pleasance (Lochee Road to Brewery Lane) – closed for one week for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Menzieshill Road – closed from Monday 14 October for 2 weeks for subsidence investigation and repairs.

Riverside Drive (at Rail Bridge) – eastbound lane narrows and north footway closure from Monday 14 October for 2 weeks for Scotland Gas Network work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Session Street – closed on Wednesday 23 October for Scottish Water work.

Explorer Road (at Apollo Way) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 28 October (8.00am to 6.00pm) for one week for WHP Telecommunications work.

Perth Road (at Westfield Avenue) – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 13 November to Sunday 17 November for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Logie Street (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound from 9.00am on  Sunday 17 November to 6.00am on Monday 18 November for Scottish Water work.

A West End Halloween event! #dundeewestend

A great event from Perth Road Launderette :

***A SPOOKY ANNOUNCEMENT***

Get the Kids looking extra spooky this year with a free face paint after school!

We may even have a spook handing out treats but they promise no tricks!

Temporary traffic order - Menzieshill 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 subsidence investigation and repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Menzieshill Road (between Whitefauld Road and Invergowrie Drive), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 14 October 2024 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Invergowrie Drive / Whitefauld Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Black History Month

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

We’re delighted to be taking part in Black History Month this year with several events and activities:

Throughout October, Monday to Friday - 9am-5pm

Dalhousie Building Foyer

Exhibition - Dundee and Empire

Connections with the Caribbean (exporting linen) and South Asia (importing jute) provided the basis for much of Dundee’s wealth and this legacy is evident today in the city’s buildings and amenities. Many Dundonians left the city to work in parts of the Empire and later many others came from previously colonised countries to make Dundee their new home. This poster exhibition, created in collaboration with colleagues from across the University, explores these stories and many others.

See more at www.dundee.ac.uk/events/festival-future-dundee-and-empire

Monday 14th October at 1.15pm

Dalhousie Building Foyer

Exhibition Tour - Dundee and Empire

Join exhibition contributors Caroline Brown, Matthew Jarron, Andrea Mohan, Susan Mains and Michael Morris for an informal guided tour of the new exhibition. Book a place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dundee-and-empire-exhibition-tour-tickets-1008205087557

Wednesday 16th October at 2.30pm

Meet in the Tower Building Foyer

Breaking the Chains – a walking tour exploring Dundee’s links to slavery

Join museum curator Matthew Jarron and local history librarian Erin Farley for this eye-opening guided tour of the city centre. This event is nearly fully booked but there are still a few places available – book at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-the-chains-a-walking-tour-exploring-dundees-links-to-slavery-tickets-871841881537

Don’t miss the University’s other Black History Month events – details at www.dundee.ac.uk/engage/events/black-history-month

West End Ward Thursday Surgeries #dundeewestend

With the schools closed for the October holidays, Michael's usual weekly ward surgeries do not recommence until after the school holidays.

However, we can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns - just e-mail westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks!

Friends of Balgay event on Saturday! #dundeewestend

The Friends of Balgay are hosting a talk at Blackness Library this Saturday - 12th October - about planting for bees and butterflies: an insight into the selection of pollinator-friendly plants for every garden.

It starts at 10am - all welcome!

West End Ward Tuesday Surgeries #dundeewestend

With the schools closed for the October holidays, Fraser's usual weekly ward surgeries do not recommence until after the school holidays.

However, we can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns - just e-mail 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 7 OCTOBER 2024

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.

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.

Scottish and Southern Energy Network Elmwood Cable Renewal Scheme – rolling road closures from Monday 24 June for 28 weeks – insofar as it affects the West End Ward : 

• Tullideph Road (City Road to Ancrum Road) – closed westbound 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 10 months for junction improvement works.

A90 Kingsway (at Swallow roundabout) – overnight (7.30pm to 6.30am Monday - Friday) contraflow from Monday 1 July 2024 for 10 months for third party works.

Lower Pleasance (Lochee Road to Brewery Lane) – closed for 2 weeks for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work.

Rosebery Street (Pitfour Street to Cleghorn Street) – closed until Wednesday 9 October for Scottish Water work.

Perth Road (at Grosvenor Road) – temporary traffic lights on Wednesday 9 October for Scottish Water work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Menzieshill Road – closed from Monday 14 October for 2 weeks for subsidence investigation and repairs.

Riverside Drive (at Rail Bridge) – eastbound lane narrows and north footway closure from Monday 14 October for 2 weeks for Scotland Gas Network work.

Session Street – closed on Wednesday 23 October for Scottish Water work.

Explorer Road (at Apollo Way) – temporary traffic lights from Monday 28 October (8.00am to 6.00pm) for one week for WHP Telecommunications work.

Dundee Chess Congress 2024 #dundeewestend

It is great to see the Dundee Chess Congress taking place soon in the West End at the University of Dundee Chaplaincy Centre - from 11th-13th October!

The premier tournament is already full but there is still ample space left in the major and minor categories.

All welcome and further details can be found at http://dundeecongress.co.uk

Urban ReLeaf Dundee

Urban ReLeaf is a city-wide citizen-science initiative that engages the community to share their observations and perceptions of greenspaces across Dundee.

The goal is to enhance the benefits of these greenspaces and ensure they meet the diverse needs of the community. The collected data will help shape local strategies and policies and will be available for other organisations to use.

Parks and greenspaces are essential for health and wellbeing and will be increasingly important for the city's resilience to climate change. Urban ReLeaf aims to create a large, citizen-generated dataset on park usage, what helps people benefit more from greenspaces, and incidents of flooding and drought in Dundee.

Data collection has begun and will continue until summer 2025. To maximize participation, Urban ReLeaf is building a volunteer team to support engagement throughout the year and across all areas of the city.

To find out more and sign up to volunteer go to https://dundeecityvolunteers.co.uk/volunteers/provider-profile/UrbanReLeaf

Getting things done - West Port #dundeewestend

We recently received concerns from residents about the poor road surface on West Port at Johnston's Lane - see photo.

We raised this with the Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following helpful response :

"Thank you for your email. The local inspector has raised an order for repairs to be carried out."

Michael’s weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestend

Michael’s ward surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt – West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph’s RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools)

Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt – Harris Academy reception area

All welcome – no appointment necessary!

Getting things done - Mid Wynd - an update #dundeewestend

Towards the end of April this year, damaged bollards in Mid Wynd were replaced.

However, there have been unfortunate instances of some riders of motorbikes ignoring the 'no through road' at great speed and causing alarm to pedestrians.

Along with local residents, we asked the City Council if the spacing between the bollards could be narrowed to prevent this, and this was agreed to.

We are pleased to say this has now been done - see photo.

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend

Fraser’s weekly ward surgeries take place later today and every Tuesday during school term time.

They are as follows :

Tuesdays at 5pm prompt – Blackness Library

Tuesdays at 5.45pm prompt – Ancrum Road Primary School

All residents welcome – no appointment necessary.