Waterlogged Roads and Paths in The Ferry Yesterday

Yesterday afternoon was another period of squally rain in The Ferry. As I went round my Tuesday afternoon surgeries, I noticed lots of examples where drains could not cope with the rainfall. Now this pattern of rainfall seems the norm, rather than the exception, I think our drainage on streets and paths needs improvement.

When I visited the Forthill Sheltered Housing Complex in Forthill Drive for my surgery at 3:30pm, I noticed that the drain in the path up to the Complex entrance was blocked again and so elderly residents were having to paddle through the water to get to and from the front door of the Complex. This is a perennial issue and is just not good enough for folk who are residents in 'sheltered' housing. I have reported this to the Housing Department. I hope the residents can expect a prompt and more thorough work on unblocking the drain this time.

Later in the afternoon, I was driving down Balgillo Road East linking Balgillo Road with the Arbroath Road. Just short of the roundabout water had extended over the pavement and road on the western side of this busy road. This really would be a challenging place to walk or cycle as motorists had no room to evade the water and so prevent soaking a pedestrian or cyclists as they drove past.  I have reported this to the Council and the Roads' Maintenance Partnership.

Temporary Road Closure Fairfield Road Between Strathern Road and Arbroath Road) Road - Resurfacing from Monday 20 August 2012, and will Last for About 10 Days.

Fairfield Road (Strathern Road to Arbroath Road) – Carriageway Resurfacing

Work is programmed to commence at the above location on Monday
20 August 2012, and will last for approximately 10 days.

The Contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.

In the interest of public safety, a road closure will be implemented and through traffic will be diverted via Strathern Road, Victoria Road, Claypotts Road, Arbroath Road and reverse for the duration of the works.

Seaforth Road and Dawson Road junctions at Fairfield Road will also be closed for the duration of the works, with access being maintained from Strathern Road via Crawford Place. Vehicular access will be maintained to Fairfield Road residents, although we ask for vehicular traffic movements to be kept to a minimum, and some minor delays may be encountered during some phases of the works. No on-street parking will be allowed on the section of carriageway being worked on.

Please note that a pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout the works.

If you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact Mr R Mackenzie, Senior Engineer, Roads Maintenance Partnership, by telephoning 01382 434000.

Cautious Welcome for Proposed New Sheltered Housing Development

Yesterday the City Council Planning Department confirmed that, under delegated authority to planning staff, Dundee City Council had granted planning permission for a development of retirement housing in land to the north of Arbroath Road in The Ferry.


The development comprises 60 homes for older people in a courtyard development that incorporates a former steading.


The site is on the northern edge of Broughty Ferry between the A92 Arboath Road and Drumsturdy Road just north of the Dighty Burn.


In their application the developers refer to this as "new build supported living community comprising 60 flats and communal facilities."


While many aspects of the development seem well designed and carefully conceived, I do wonder whether this is an ideal site for what is apparently a sheltered housing development? The relative remoteness from the shops and other services in central Broughty Ferry and the lack of a local shop mean that the residents would be reliant on their own transport or the developer's promise to provide a minibus service to central Broughty Ferry until a bus service is established. 


I also have questions about any large scale housing developments in Broughty Ferry and the capacity of our local public services to cope with increasing levels of demand for drainage, doctors and social care.

Link to more information about this planning application that preceded the granting of planning permission.

Temporary Closure of Fairfield Road is Proposed for Road Resurfacing Beginning Monday 20 August 2012

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating carriageway resurfacing works.  The Order is expected to be in force for ten days from 20 August 2012.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Fairfield Road from Strathern Road to Arbroath Road.

Limited access will be maintained for frontagers (residents).  The junctions of Seaforth Road and Dawson Road with Fairfield Road will be closed for the duration of these works.

An alternative route will be available via Strathern Road, Victoria Road, Claypotts Road and Arbroath Road.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to Mark Cobb, Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.  If you have any queries please contact Mr Cobb on  01382 433082.