Potential trip hazard to be attended to

It was brought to my attention that, due to the wearing away of the surrounding tar surface, the base of an old pole sign on the pavement at the corner of Queen Street and Fort Street is now presenting as a potential trip hazard. I contacted the city engineer’s office about it and I have been advised that the roads maintenance partnership will arrange to remove the pole stump and reinstate the area as appropriate. Hopefully the work will be programmed relatively quickly.

Temporary traffic order

I have been advised that traffic is to be prohibited in Fort Street from Brook Street to Queen Street on Monday 2 June for one day to allow loop cutting works to be carried out. Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Scottish Conservative lead European candidate elected

The Scottish Conservative lead European parliamentary candidate has been elected to the European Parliament with an increase in the party’s share of the vote. Dr Ian Duncan will replace Struan Stevenson in Brussels after securing 17.22% of the vote, an increase of 0.40%. The Scottish Conservatives polled 231,330 votes, the highest in European elections since 1989 – a quarter of a century.  

As someone who has previously worked in the European Parliament, he believes that EU reform is needed to get the best deal for Scotland and the UK. Ian supports the Prime Minister’s plan to re-negotiate improved terms for Britain in the EU before offering an in-out referendum in 2017. No one under 56 has ever had their say on European membership as the last referendum was in 1975. Recent polling shows that almost six in ten Scots want a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

Scottish Conservative MEP Dr Ian Duncan said: “I am delighted the people of Scotland have placed their trust in me and I intend to repay that trust when I get to Brussels. I was only 16-years-old the last time the Scottish Conservatives got a higher number of votes in the European elections. Struan Stevenson is a tough act to follow but I am looking forward to building on his excellent work, particularly in getting a better deal for fishermen.

“This is a very exciting time in the history of our position in Europe and we have an opportunity to secure real change to our relationship with the EU. The people of Scotland clearly want change and I will go to Brussels determined to fight for their interests. From fishermen in the Shetland Islands and farmers in Dumfries, to those working in the financial sector in Edinburgh, my role is to represent everyone. A Europe that works for us not against us is my aim and I will continue to listen to the people of Scotland to ensure that it is their interests, their concerns and their desires that I am championing in Brussels.”

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said: “This was a good night for the Conservatives in Scotland – our vote went up, bucking the trend for Conservatives across the UK. More people cast their vote for the Scottish Conservatives in this election than at any Euro poll since 1989 – a quarter of a century.

“I’m ambitious for this party and I want today’s result to be a platform on which we can build for the General Election. We have more work to do to reconnect with voters – but our pro-union, low-tax, personal choice message is gaining ground across the country.

“Ian Duncan has already fought for this country in Europe, as the Scottish Parliament’s head man in Brussels. He now goes there as a supremely qualified MEP, ready to make a difference. Ian’s got guts and determination to burn. He’ll fight hard for Scotland’s voice to be heard and I am proud to send Ian as the Scottish Conservative’s representative to the European parliament.”

New Broughty Ferry land train

A land train has been added to Broughty Ferry’s many attractions.  Localmotion land trains launched its service yesterday. The train operates at weekends with some weekdays through the school holidays.

The three carriages, 60 seat land train takes passengers on a circular route from the Phibbies pier along The Esplanade to The Barnhill Rock Garden, with stops at Windmill Garden and The Glass Pavilion. The train leaves the pier at 10 am and approximately every 45 minutes until 5pm. A ticket allows passengers a full circuit of the route and costs £3 for an adult and £2 for a child (children under two go free).

I often wondered why Broughty Ferry didn’t have a land train as most visitor destinations seem to have them, linking places of local interest.

Traffic notice

I have been notified that due to carriageway resurfacing works being carried out the driving of any vehicles in Bannoch Rise, at its northerly junction with Lawers Drive, will be prohibited for 5 working days from Tuesday 27 May. Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Age Concern

I was visited at my surgery on Saturday by constituents who were concerned to see that the Age Concern building in Brook Street has been put up for sale. Age Concern provides support, care, information, learning opportunities, leisure activities and support services for older people in and around Dundee. Its Broughty Ferry premises were opened in 1964.

 I spoke to a representative of Age Concern about it yesterday and it seems that the maintenance cost of the building and the number of people using the service in Broughty Ferry make the continued use of the premises unsustainable. However the organisation will remain in Broughty Ferry as it is seeking to relocate to other premises.