Broughty Ferry Post Office Has Re-opened

Positive news! Our Broughty Ferry Post Office has reopened. It's back where it was before in the former NISA store at the corner of Gray Street and Queen Street. It closed without warning to the staff and the public nearly three months ago on Wednesday 25 January when the NISA stores in the Perth Road and in The Ferry went into administration.

The Post Office is now operating on a temporary basis where it was before at the back of the otherwise empty NISA shop until new more permanent premises can be found. It's operating six days a week on the same Post Office operating hours as before Monday - Friday and Saturday mornings.

I am sure the many customers that previously relied on this Post Office will be relieved to know that their local Post Office is up and running again.

I will be writing again to the Post Office management to emphasise that while they evaluate options for the future, particular consideration should be given to selecting a better more central location in The Ferry and and a more suitable linked business such as stationery rather than a grocery store.

Broughty Ferry Post Office Reopening

On Tuesday, Post Office Limited in Glasgow advised me that after a great deal of work their field team have managed to secure a temporary short term arrangement that will allow them to restore a Post Office service in central Broughty Ferry in the recently closed former NISA premises.  The opening is imminent with the possibility that a service can be resumed within the next couple of days.

This is positive news for residents and local businesses inconvenienced by the sudden closure of our local Post Office at the corner of Gray Street and Queen Street. I hope the staff who lost their jobs back in January will have the opportunity to be re-employed.

It is also positive to know that the Post Office field team continue to work with interested local retailers to seek a longer term solution and will do everything they can to progress this as soon as possible.

Libraries in Scotland Busiest in UK - Broughty Ferry Library Busiest Branch in Dundee

A study recently published by the Carnegie UK Trust has found 50% of respondents in Scotland have used a library in the past year, the highest rate in the UK.  

The five-year study involved 1000 participants in Scotland. It discovered more than three-quarters (77%) of people said library facilities are important for their communities and 37% said they are important for them personally.

Almost three-quarters (71%) of families with children aged five to 11 visited libraries last year, up 3% on 2011.

In recent surveys of library users in Dundee, our library in Broughty Ferry consistently comes out as the busiest branch library in the city, second only to the Central Library in the Wellgate.

Broughty Ferry Post Office Closed Yesterday

 On Wednesday morning I became aware that the Post Office hosted in the NISA Local store at the corner of Queen Street and Gray Street in Broughty Ferry had abruptly closed.

I went round there to discover that the only information about the closure was a printed sign directing folk, 'Your nearest Post Office is Barnhill at Campfield Square'.

Clearly this will be very inconvenient for the many customers that use and rely on this Post Office and turn up to find that inexplicably the doors are shut.

Later, I contacted the Post Office who confirmed the closure but as yet could not confirm the timescale for the advertisement of the franchise. I had hoped that the existing post office staff and counter might be temporarily relocated to another premises in the central Broughty Ferry shopping area to preserve the post office service and the jobs of the staff. 

I will continue to pursue the Post Office management to try to ensure there is a replacement full service post office in central Broughty Ferry and minimise the time for this to be established.

Proposed Recharging Hub at Queen Street Car Park

Last month Ferry Councillors had a site visit to the Queen Street car park opposite the Library. We were there to examine proposals for an enhanced number and variety of electric vehicle recharging points. This is to be funded from a share of a £1.86 million grant from the UK government's Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). As well as more rapid recharging points for cars, there would also be provision for the recharging of electric bikes and electric mobility scooters. 

I think many older folk in The Ferry who have extended their bike riding by shifting to an e-bike or those that rely on a mobility scooter will be pleased that their needs have been recognised in the plans for this proposed facility.

The two pictures show an artist's impression of what the new Recharging Hub might look like; it would be sited where the recycling bins are currently lined up. To accommodate the Recharging Hub, the recycling containers would be moved to the western side of the car park closer to the railway.

This project is subject to consultation with the Broughty Ferry Community Council and The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership.

Temporary Closuse of Fort Street Bridge from Monday 13 June 2016 for up to 5 Working Days

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

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

This notice comes into effect on Monday 13 June 2016 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Brook Street / Westfield Road / Queen Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.
Mike P Galloway, Executive Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

BT OpenReach Do a Great Job Beyond the Call of Duty

The hazard fixed

Last week I contacted BT OpenReach about an exposed inspection cover in the pavement close to the entrance to St Mary's Episcopal Church on Queen Street - see photo below.

This area of the pavement has been fenced off but it has been reported to me that the fence had been blown or knocked over exposing the inspection hatch and the displaced cover. 

This was a potential trip hazard.

The next day from reporting this, a BT OpenReach engineer called to let me know that the inspection hatch had been reset in the pavement and all was now well. 

The pavement defect before
intervention by BT

He did however let me know that the inspection cover and box beneath the pavement belonged to Virgin Media and not BT. The confusion had been caused by the temporary protective fencing that had blown over was the property of BT and had been clearly marked as such.


So well done for BT Open Reach going above and beyond the call of duty. 

Complaint to BT OpenReach About Exposed Inspection Cover in Queen Street Pavement

This morning I contacted BT OpenReach about an exposed inspection cover in the pavement close to the entrance to St Mary's Episcopal Church on Queen Street. 

This area of the pavement has been fenced off but it has been reported to me that the fence had been blown or knocked over exposing the inspection hatch and the displaced cover. This represents a potential trip hazard.

I also reported that this 'fault', next door to the telephone exchange building has been apparently unresolved for weeks and asked that the below ground 'fault' is resolved and the pavement reinstated.

Replacement Queen Street Bus Shelter

At the end of May, the bus shelter on the North side of Queen Street was demolished by a coach allegedly undertaking a 'U' turn. A person sitting in the bus shelter at the time narrowly escaped injury.

This bus stop is close to the traffic lights at the junction with Claypotts Road and the bus shelter is well used by pupils from Eastern Primary School and Grove Academy as well as local residents.

A number of bus passengers who use that stop have contacted me to inquire why the bus shelter hadn't been replaced?

I followed this up with the Transportation Department. I was informed that a member of staff had found that there was a long delivery time for a new shelter ordered from the manufacturers. They have decided to relocate a rarely used bus shelter from another part if the city. 

I have been assured that this will be resolved soon.

West Queen Street Broughty Ferry - Claypotts Junction to Bayfield Road - Road Resurfacing from Sat 9 May 2015

Road works are programmed to commence at West Queen Street Broughty Ferry (Claypotts Junction to Bayfield Road) on Saturday, 9 May 2015 and will last approximately sev days.

The Contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.

In the interest of public safety, road closures will be implemented between Claypotts Road and Bayfield Road.

The works will be carried out in two phases to minimise disruption to traffic.

• Phase 1:- West Queen Street/Claypotts Road junction will be closed for 2 days from Saturday 9 May to Sunday 10 May and
• Phase 2:- West Queen Street from West of Claypotts junction to Bayfield Road will be closed for a further 5 days from Monday 11 May.

Note, Claypotts Road junction will be open.

• During Phase 1 vehicular traffic will be diverted via Victoria Road, Ballinard Road, Balgillo Road, Forthill Road, and reverse and
• During Phases 2 vehicular traffic will be diverted via Victoria Road, Strathern Road, Claypotts Road and reverse.

Phase 2 closure will not be implemented until Phase 1 has been completed.

Bus Services will be affected by this road closure and bus passengers are advised to visit www.dundeetravelinfo.com or telephone the bus operator for further details of diversion routes and alternative bus stops.

Please note that a pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout the works.
 
If you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact Mr L Grubb, Senior Engineer, Road Maintenance by telephoning 01382 834126.

Queen Street (Fort Street to St Vincent Street) - Carriageway Resurfacing work

Work is programmed to commence at Queen Street (Fort Street to St Vincent Street) on Friday, 25 April 2014 and will last approximately 15 days.

The Contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.

In the interest of public safety, road closures will be implemented between Fort Street and St Vincent Street.

The works will be carried out in three phases to minimise disruption to traffic.

Phase 1
Queen Street/Fort Street junction will be closed for 3 days from Friday 25 April to Sunday 27 April .

Phase 2
Queen Street from East of Fort Street junction to St Vincent Street will be closed for a further 5 days from Monday 28 April. Note, Fort Street junction will be open.

Phase 3
Queen Street from East of Fort Street junction to St Vincent Street will be closed for another 5 days from Tuesday 6 May, again the Fort Street junction will be open during this phase of the works.

It is proposed to have no road closures in place from Saturday 3 May to Monday 5 May.

During Phase 1 vehicular traffic will be diverted via Victoria Road, Ballinard Road, Balgillo Road, Forthill Road, Nursery Road, Abertay Street and reverse.

During Phases 2 and 3 vehicular traffic will be diverted via Fort Street, Nursery Road, Abertay Street and reverse.

Phase 2 and 3 closures will not be implemented until Phase 1 has been completed.

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

If you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact Mr L Grubb, Senior Engineer, Road Maintenance by telephoning 01382 834126.

Public Open Space Improvements in Broughty Ferry

At the Environment Committee on Monday (11 November 2013), Councillors approved proposals to undertake Public Open Space Improvements (Report reference AN121-2013) at a number of locations. These had been developed by the Environment Department to enhance amenity whilst, at the same time, reduce the cost of long-term maintenance. Apparently, the proposed improvements would also help reduce concerns about health and safety.

In Broughty Ferry the following three schemes were included.

• Barnhill Housing/Strathmore Street/Nursery Road - refurbish shrub areas and landscape to grass, improving maintenance;
• Queen Street/Orchar Park/Inchkeith Avenue - regenerate hedging and rose beds, replace with new plantings and
• Castle Green/Windmill Gardens - redesign and plant new flower beds.

At the meeting I welcomed these three improvements but queried why there were no plans included to cover the triangular area of public open space at the junction of the coastal pathway and Douglas Terrace. Part of this area had been damaged by successive contractors who had set up a temporary compound for building materials and equipment on this ground. I was assured at the meeting that this was to be attended to. On Tuesday I received an email confirming that the contractors who had been working there were being held to reinstate the flower bed and grass. While this commitment was also welcome, I have also asked for a redesign of this area because the rockery is crumbling, the other flower bed is overgrown with weeds and furthermore the corner by teh road has been become muddy and ill defined.

Ecumenical Service Celebrates the Life of Broughty Ferry on the Centenary of Its Incorporation into Dundee

On Sunday evening, at the New Kirk in Queen Street, a large congregation came to mark the centenary of Broughty Ferry being incorporated into Dundee. The theme of the service was celebrating the life of Broughty Ferry as a strong community; emphasising that it has neither lost it's distinct identity nor has its voice been extinguished.

The service was led by Rev Helen Bridger (St Mary's Episcopal Church) and Rev Catherine Collins (Broughty Ferry New Kirk).

During the service certificates were awarded to eight young poets from Broughty Ferry schools who had submitted entries to the Poetry Competition. Over one hundred children sent in entries on the theme of what they liked about their community. The winners, six of whom are pictured above, read out their entries to an appreciate audience. Interestingly, the beach, the Castle and ice cream from Visocchi's featured prominently in the poems. 

Young people also read the old and new testament readings and two pupils from Grove Academy performed a duet for piano and cello. 

Local historian Chris Davey also delivered a fascinating short reflection on Broughty Ferry, a Strong Community.

The singing was led by a combined churches choir who also sang the Introit and choral Blessing.

After the service, refreshments were taken in the Church Hall and the Lord Provost cut the commemorative cake.

This ecumenical service was organised by Clergy from Broughty Ferry Churches together with support from our Communities Officer, Carole Jenkins.

Queen Street Road Works Progressing

Cables being laid in Queen Street
Click on image to enlarge

Work of laying the new electricity cables along Queen Street seems to be progressing well and is apparently on target for a finish this weekend. 

Since Tuesday 19 March, contractors have been working on the stretch of Queen Street between Fort Street and St Vincent's Street.

My picture was taken from the top of the steps up to the entrance to the Library.

In a week when residents on Arran have been without power because of severe weather damage to their above ground electricity transmission cables, the importance and relative security of our new underground electricity supply for Broughty Ferry is emphasised. 

Council Tenants in The Ferry Have Your Say on 5%+ Increases in Rents and Service Charges from April 2013

Tenants have your say about future rent levels and service charges before the end of the year!

This is the message from the City Council Housing Department to all its tenants throughout Dundee including Broughty Ferry. Now is the time to take the opportunity to respond to the consultation on the proposed increases in rent and service change from April 2013.

Every year the Housing Department looks at the rent and other charges that they need to collect so that they can continue to deliver the services that tenants have told them they want. They have looked at their budgets from 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2014 and have developed three different options for rent and service charge increases which they want to gather opinions and feedback on. The three rent options range from an increase in 5% to 5.5%.

More details on the options for rent increases and what you would get for your money.

More details on the options for increases in service charges especially for tenants in sheltered housing. 


There are lots of ways to give us your views and feedback on the Council's proposals. All they ask is that you tell them by Monday 31st December 2012

How to give the Council your opinions and feedback. 

Broughty Ferry Library Seeking Friends' Group

On Wednesday evening I attended a consultation event about forming a Friends' Group for Broughty Ferry Library. This followed an afternoon meeting earlier in the month.

Sandra Westgate, our Branch Librarian, gave an overview of the library and shared some statistics about library usage.

Did you know that the Broughty Ferry Library opened in October 1928 as a library and reading room and is consistently the busiest branch library in the city? Here is a selection of its vital statistics for the last year:

• 144271 visitors
• 8943 members
• 98136 items were issued 
• 2006 users of the computers
• 4756 attendances at the Baby Rhyme Time
• 201 events for children
• 4 adult reading groups
• 532 events for adults

It is hoped that a Friends' Group for Broughty Ferry Library would not only be able to help extend the reach of the library into more community events but also help with funding. The library is part of Leisure and Culture Dundee which is an organisation working at arms length from the Council with charitable status.  As such, new forms of funding should be available for additional services or activities.

Both consultations were well attended and a keen group of supporters have indicated their interest and potential support. They will be invited to a follow up meeting but there is room for more folk to come on board. It's therefore not too late to declare your interest in supporting or being part of the Friends of Broughty Ferry Library Group by contacting Sandra Westgate:

Broughty Ferry Community Library

Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2HN

Phone:  01382 436919

Email: broughty.library@dundeecity.gov.uk

Website: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/communities/

Grove Academy Visit for School Parking and Pupil Safety Working Group

Yesterday I had a lunch time visit to Grove Academy to meet Depute Head Lesley Elder and members of the Council's Working Group on School Parking and Pupil Safety. 

As part of our ongoing programme of school visits, we were there to observe a number of issues including the 'surge' of Grove pupils as they nip down to the centre of Broughty Ferry to purchase their carry out lunches. 

Most pupils leaving the school at lunchtime were seen to proceed in an orderly manner down Church Street and cross Queen Street with the help of the skilled Crossing Patroller.

As a result of our observations and discussion on the hoof, a number of road safety measures were explored including:

• making the Queen Street/Church Street intersection into a box junction;
• moving the bus stop currently adjacent to the main vehicular entrance to the school on Claypotts Road to a site closer to the segregated pedestrian entrance to the school;
• moving the flashing school warning lights further up Claypotts Road to provide more advance warning to drivers and
• inserting 20 mph flashing school warning lights on Queen Street.

If I had to prioritise these, I think the 'box junction' at the Queen Street/Church Street junction is the most urgent. This would I am advised provide a better separation of the road traffic from our pupils and our Crossing Patroller at the Church Street/Queen Street Crossing point. In the mornings, when traffic flows are heavy, cars driving west towards Dundee on Queen Street form a continuous queue sometimes leaving the children and the Patroller at the Honda Garage (see picture) without a clear passage across the Queen Street. 

This was a most constructive and worthwhile 'meeting'. At the next 'formal' meeting of the Working Group, I shall be pressing for these measures to be implemented to enhance pupil and public safety in and around Grove Academy.