Green Flag Award for Barnhill Rock Garden

I was delighted to learn that Barnhill Rock Garden has again retained its Green Flag status in the 2014 Keep Scotland Beautiful awards. The Green Flag Award is the benchmark for a quality green space.  Entrants are judged on whether the park or green space is welcoming; healthy, safe and secure; clean and well-maintained; sustainable; manages conservation and heritage; has community involvement; markets itself, and has good management.

 

Many thanks to the friends group, gardeners, volunteers and Dundee City Council’s environment staff for all their hard work in making Barnhill Rock Garden such a great asset for Broughty Ferry. It’s a beautiful place to spend some time and I know it is hugely appreciated by the local community.

Pavement repairs

A section of pavement on Strathern Road east of the entrance to Dawson Park is currently receiving a surface treatment. This follows on from a section nearer to Claypotts Road which received the same treatment last year. I often get complaints about the pavements on Starthern Road so I’m pleased that they are getting some attention.

In recent weeks quite a number of sections of concrete pavement in Broughty Ferry have been patched and repaired. Unfortunately a section in Claypotts Road at the railway bridge, which wasn’t patched that long ago, is starting to break up again. I have brought this to the attention of the roads maintenance partnership.

Commonwealth Games 2014 in Dundee City Centre

Commonwealth Games activities in City Square start this evening with coverage of the opening ceremony. Full details can be found on Dundee City Council's internet site.

 

 

Hogmanay celebrations grants scheme

Families really enjoy the Christmas events that take place in Broughty Ferry and Dundee each year and it has been suggested that it would be nice to see Hogmanay celebrated as well. While not organising a city square extravaganza the city council recently agreed to allocate money from its Common Good Fund to provide grants for community groups and cultural organisations that are interested in organising non-commercial celebrations to mark Hogmanay 2014.

Additional information and an application form can be found on Dundee City Council’s internet site. Completed application forms should be returned by 31 August 2014.

Sea wall repair

It was brought to my attention that there is damage to a section of the sea wall at Douglas Terrace. I raised the matter with the city engineer’s office and was advised that an order for its repair would be issued along with other coastal repair works being carried out in Broughty Ferry by Tayside Contracts. The repair work was due to commence today.

Queen Street Community Garden

I’m really impressed by the community garden in Queen Street car park. It is maintained by pupils of Grove Academy and has a lovely display of wildflowers and other interesting features. It currently has a commemoration for the First World War with a number of poems on display. The garden makes a very striking and positive contribution to the local environment and all those involved in the project should be congratulated for their efforts.

New street signs and road repairs

The missing street name plate in Forthill Place I asked to be replaced has been attended to, as has the worn street name plate in Gray Street at the junction with King Street.

Work is currently being carried out to repair various sections of the surface of The Esplanade. The condition of the carriageway has been raised with me by a number of people recently so its good to see it getting some attention. 

Sections of the concrete footpath on Camphill Road are also being  repaired just now. I previously highlighted their poor condtion.

Surplus mail cabinet to be removed

Residents had contacted me about the grey mail cabinet on Dundee Road near to the junction with Home Street. It appeared to no longer be in use and it was considered that removing it would improve the line of sight for vehicles emerging from Home Street. 

I raised the issue with the council’s roads people and they arranged to establish with Royal Mail if the cabinet was surplus or if still in use whether it could be relocated. I have recently received an update which confirms that the box is no longer required by Royal Mail and its removal will be actioned as soon as possible.

Temporary traffic order

I have been advised that to allow for Scottish Water repair works being carried out all vehicular traffic will be prohibited from waiting in King Street (between Ambrose Street and Gray Street) for one day on Monday 7 July. Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Action on issue in Dawson Park

Action is to be taken to deal with a long standing flooding issue in Dawson Park. The area between the entrance from Arbroath Road and the path/jogging track is prone to becoming waterlogged, making it impassable. I have raised the matter a few times with the council on behalf of constituents and I have now been advised that it is to be addressed after this year’s growing season, probably in late October or early November. The location is to be excavated and if required a drainage pipe will be installed and when replacing the path material the levels will be sorted which should help the water to run off.