New waste collection services getting closer

I am advised that the council’s Environment Department is on-course to introduce the revised domestic recycling services to phase 1 areas, which includes a large part of the Ferry ward, in March 2015. Residents will receive full information on the changes early in the New Year. This will include the delivery of leaflets and collection calendars, as well as visits from staff to offer information and advice. There will also be engagement activities at local residents groups, community organisations and tenants associations.

The new waste and recycling services are being trialled at a small number of flatted properties in the phase 1 areas with first collections taking place during w/c 1st December. This action will enable the environment department to test its methodologies ahead of the main rollout in March, as well as providing further scope for engagement and consultation with residents.

Christmas lights switch on

The count down to Christmas will officially begin this Thursday, 27 November, when  Broughty Ferry’s Christmas lights are switched on.  The event starts at 6pm and will end at 9pm. There will be fairground rides and entertainment will be provided by Eastern Primary School Choir, Downfield Musical Society,  Radio Tay and by local Celtic rockers Gleadhraich. Dundee's Lord Provost,  Bob Duncan, with the help of Santa, will switch on the lights at 7pm. It's always a great occasion with lots of families enjoying the festivities.  Well done to Broughty Ferry Traders Association for all that it does in making this event happen every year.

Grove Academy

 

I was pleased to learn that Grove Academy once again features prominently in the Sunday Times list of top 50 best performing state secondary schools in Scotland. It was ranked at 17^th in this year’s list, up from 22^nd place in 2013. It is a great achievement and is down to the hard work and commitment of the pupils , teachers and parents.

Temporary traffic order

I have received notification of the following temporary traffic order:

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of carriageway investigation works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Long Lane (from Fort Street to Gray Street), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 8 December 2014 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

The one-way order relating to Long Lane will be rescinded for the duration of these works.

Alternative routes for vehicles will be available via Fort Street / King Street / Gray Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433082.

Gillies Park

Over the years I have requested work to be done to improve the surface of the car park in Gillies Park which always resulted in some infilling. There are again some very large holes present however this time I have received some good news on more substantial action that is to be taken.

 

 Back in June the council’s School Parking and Pupil Safety Working Group, of which I am a member, had a site visit to Barnhill Primary School to look at traffic movements around the school entrances, it was considered at that time that as the use of the car park at Gillies Park would increase due to the new school extension it would be good to have it properly surfaced. I was a meeting last week attended by the council’s chief executive and head of transportation. I took the opportunity to speak to them about the car park at Gillies Park and to get an update from them and I was told that an estimate for the cost of resurfacing the car park had been sought and the intention is to proceed with the works, weather dependant, early in the New Year.

Weeds

I was disappointed to see this year that so many weeds were left growing in gutters and other channels after being treated with weed killer. I raised the matter with the environment department and highlighted, in particular, the condition of the streets in the Dawson area. In response I received the following information:

 

‘I can confirm that we undertook the normal planned two treatments of weeds across the city this year. We are aware that this has not been as effective as normal in a number of areas and will be reviewing this again for next year.

 

With regard to the weeds in the channels in the Dawson area, these are now too badly impacted to deal with through the use of weed killers and we are therefore making arrangements to have these areas physically cleared over the next 2/3 weeks.’

Ferry Time launch

 A busy Saturday morning; I held my usual drop in surgery then called in at the Christmas Fayre held at Forthill Sheltered Complex. I always enjoy attending this event; there is plenty of home baking to sample and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with friends. Later I attended the launch of Broughty Ferry’s time bank ‘Ferry Time’ at Broughty Ferry New Kirk.
 

Time banking is a simple but brilliant concept.  It is a tool to create community connections based on the principle that everyone has something to offer no matter who they are or what age they are.  There are around 300 time banks active in the UK. When members sign up they list what they can offer such as DIY, cooking, gardening, computing, listening etc. For every hour that someone gives of their time they receive an hour credit to “spend” when they need a service in return.  A broker matches members up and enables ‘exchanges’.
 

At the launch Charlie Webster gave a really interesting talk about the fishing community in Broughty Ferry and the community spirit that existed, despite the hard lives many had to endure.
 

If you would like to join Ferry Time or would like more information about it then contact the local time bank broker, Jimmy Mooney, either by telephone 01382 305738 or email

ferrytime@number10.org

There is also a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FerryTimeBroughtyFerryDundeeTimebank

Claypotts Road closed for emergency gas repair works

Claypotts Road was closed today near to Claypotts Castle due to a gas leak; I understand it should be open again by Friday night. Regrettably this will cause further delays for drivers who already  have to deal with the on-going infrastructure replacement works at Claypotts junction.  

Launch of Ferry Time

Additional bins

I was previously contacted by residents in the Camperdown Street area about a small pole mounted bin at the top of Church Street used by the children from Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School. It does get emptied quite regularly although many times it is overflowing on to the street. There are always gulls swarming around it and in the spring they swooped down on several people. I raised the matter with the environment department who issued an order for additional bins and there are now two large bins located at the top of Church Street near the school.

What’s in a name ?

Craig and Callum at the launch

Last night I attended a book launch in Broughty Ferry Library, organised by the friends group. The book, ‘What’s in a name ?’, was written by Callum Webster, designed by Craig Muir and published by Dundee Civic Trust.

Callum spent 15 years researching the history of every street in Broughty Ferry and the book reveals how each street name came about. It also provides information on some outstanding former residents, many of whom don’t have the wider recognition they deserve. The book also features a large number of really interesting photographs, illustrations, maps and sketches.

The library was packed to hear Callum give an excellent talk about the growth of Broughty Ferry from a fishing village to a prosperous town and how that development was reflected in the street names.

The book can be purchased in Broughty Ferry at Eduardo Alessandro Studios, Gillies of Broughty Ferry, McDonald the Stationer, Katz Pyjamas, Hallmark Cards and Waterstone’s in Dundee.

Ardmore Avenue

I was contacted about the state of the carriageway in Ardmore Avenue, particularly at the bottom junction with Navarre Street.  As one resident put it to me ‘There is no road surface - only potholes, so many one cannot count them’.  In response to the enquiry I approached the city engineer's office about it and I have since received the following update: 

 

‘I can advise that the Roads Maintenance Partnership inspector for the area is to raise an order for some repairs to the carriageway with a timescale of within 28 days. He also advises that scheme patching has been programmed for next financial year.’

Pavement works

After making frequent requests over the years for action to be taken I’m pleased that work is on-going to upgrade pavements in Boyd Place, Ramsay Street and Hutton Place. All three were ranked high enough in the council’s uanadopted footways programme to be attended to in this financial year. As I have said before, still plenty more to be done in The Ferry ward but good to see pavements that I have highlighted being dealt with.
 

On a related issue I have been asked by residents if the pavement in Dalhousie Road beside the old railway bridge is going to be resurfaced in the near future. A number of people have mentioned the narrowness of the pavement at this location, which is next to a very busy road so a good surface underfoot is essential. I received the following update from the City Engineer’s office:
 

‘The Road Maintenance Partnership has advised that this section of footway on Dalhousie Road adjacent to the railway bridge is provisionally included in the 2015/16 footway programme for resurfacing although the programme will be subject to review before the end of this financial year.’
 

I’m told in the meantime it will continue to be inspected on a regular basis and any actionable defects that may arise will be repaired to ensure safety is maintained.