Fort Street Bridge Damage - Follow Up from Council

Earlier this month, I reported the fact that holes had developed in the some of the panels on the parapet of the Fort Street rail bridge. It also looked as though some of the panels had been pushed or kicked in.  

I was unsure whether these holes represented a potential danger to the public especially young children, but I could see that they were unsightly. 

I am a Councillor, not an engineer. I therefore I err on the side of caution and refer things like this to experts in the City Engineers. 

I have received a very helpful and courteous email following a site inspection by one of our engineers. They wrote:

"Thanks you for the information on the above bridge. The defects to the inside face of the parapets have been picked up during an inspection and an order has been issued to deal with it. I am currently waiting on the date for the work to be carried out. It is intended to carry out repairs to all the panels which are damaged or showing signs of damage."

I think the message to public should be clear: Get it sorted get it reported!

Safety Issues on Fort Street Bridge Reported

Earlier this week I alerted the City Engineer to the holes that have appeared in the infill panels on the east side of the Fort Street bridge over the railway. Whether this is a Council or NetworkRail responsibility I think it needs to be tackled sooner rather than later.

Signs of damage and deterioration like this, either from wear and tear or vandalism need attention before they become a more expensive eyesore.

Unfortunately minor damage like this, if not attended to, becomes a target for further vandalism.

Health and Safety of Dundee School Buildings

On Tuesday 1st April, regrettably, a twelve year old pupil at Liberton High School in Edinburgh died from her injuries when a partition wall in the school's PE changing rooms collapsed.

I am pleased to learn that Dundee City Council has already instructed technical staff to inspect equivalent 'modesty walls ' in school changing rooms in our schools.

The last annual report to to the Education Committee on the school buildings in Dundee focused on sufficiency of school places and the overall condition of each school building. It reported a generally improving position as new schools were replacing old. But the tragic death of pupil Keane Wallis-Bennett in Edinburgh shows how we can't afford to be complacent.

I have written to the Convener and Director of Education requesting that the council do a wider health and safety double check of school buildings in Dundee especially in those education premises due for replacement.

It has been reported that the partition wall that collapsed at Liberton High School had been previously noticed and commented on by pupils.

In addition, I have asked for reassurance that staff and pupil observations of health and safety hazards in our schools are properly reported, logged, inspected and acted on.
When the schools go back after the Spring holidays on Monday 14 April, parents and carers have a right to expect that their children will be returning to a school environment that is not hazardous nor potentially injurious.

Christmas Lights with £19,000 Worth of Health and Safety

Click on image to enlarge

At the City Development Committee meeting last night, a report had been added to the agenda recommending acceptance of a tender:
Christmas Lights 2012 - Erection of Trees, Lights and Decorations

Of the £159,093.75 cost of the contract, £25,968.75 was for allowances of which 19,968.75 was for Professional Services ie 12.5% or one eighth of the overall cost.

Incidentally, I received this report in my mail tray on the afternoon of the meeting which left no time for advance questions to senior members of staff.

The proposed contract involved "the erection and connection of the Christmas lighting equipment and features with supply cables as required at:
Dundee City Centre, Westport, Seabraes, Stobswell, Lochee High Street and bypass roundabout, Whitfield Police Station, Broughty Ferry Library and Brook Street including the erection of main City Centre Tree and associated satellite Christmas trees and garlands." 
This list indicated the same locations as last year. I also knew that the Council had purchased some new lights for the City Centre in recent years.

This is what I asked at the meeting and the reply I received:

My Question
"I welcome this report and the repeat programme of Christmas lights and trees that is proposed throughout the city, including Broughty Ferry, for this Christmas. These are much appreciated and enjoyed by residents and visitors to our city. I am puzzled however how in this report £19,000 worth of technical services is justified for what is essentially a repeat programme? It will be the same lights, and decorations, same locations to put up the Christmas decorations. How can this be justified?"

The answer I received from the Director of City Development was that there was a considerable volume of health and safety matters associated with this work to plan and supervise. 

After the meeting it occurred to me that it had a been a good thing that health and safety regulations had been a little more lax when the Innkeeper in Bethlehem offered Mary and Joseph overnight accommodation in the stable.

Notwithstanding that thought, I will be pursuing this with Mike Galloway, Director of City Development. I shall also be complaining to the Chief Executive, David Dorward, about late circulation of reports which hampers the scrutiny by Councillors.