Unfortunately flooding at the junction of Forthill Road and Cedar Road in Broughty Ferry happens around a dozen times a year. In addition to the hazard the flood creates, especially for pedestrians, the murky water contains an unhealthy mixture of sewage and rainwater. When the water level eventually subsides, there is a disgusting residue of sewage on the ground. I have received complaints on behalf of the owners of properties in Cedar Road and Seafield Lane. These include penetrating damp into the stonework of a house built into a boundary wall, water damage to a driveway and sewage residues deposited on garden ground as well as the unpleasant experience of travelling up and down a polluted roadway and footpaths.
While Scottish Water organize a clean up of the mess when notified, they explain that they have no current plans to increase the capacity of the drainage system to cope with heavy downpours. They repeatedly say that their current investment plans focus on other priorities which are set by Ministers in the Scottish Government. I think it's time that Shona Robison, our MSP for Dundee City East and a Minister in that Scottish Government, used her influence to get these investment plans modified. There must be many other locations in other parts of the city and elsewhere which have similar problems that need some investment to sort them out. Until then, with climate change, flooding incidents at this junction will be more numerous. I think it's unacceptable that residents have to put up with an inadequate drainage system.
For a number of years there has been a group of tenants meeting informally in North Barnhill. Their interest has been in representing residents living in Abercromby Street, Abernethy Road and Aberdour Place; principally about housing and environmental issues.
About six months ago, the group agreed to formalise themselves into a fully constituted Tenants' and Residents' Group. With the support of Tenant Participation Officer, Nicola Mitchell and Communities Officer, Carole Jenkins and a considerable amount of detailed work by their committee members, the formalities have now been completed.
At the Housing Committee on Monday evening, the Committee were advised that the recently constituted Barnhill Tenants' and Residents' Association met all the criteria to become a Registered Tenants' Organisation (Housing {Scotland} Act 2001. As well as approving their registration, the Committee also approved an administration grant of £500 for 2014/14.
I wish Barnhill Tenants' and Residents' Association all the best for the future. I am committed to working with them on the issues that they raise on behalf of their local community.
