Potholes at Entrance to Car Park on the Esplanade Reported

Constituents have complained to me about the very uneven surface at the entrance to the car park located midway along The Esplanade. As can be seen in the picture, a number of potholes have developed and are getting worse. 

This is a well used free car park which offers visitors and residents alike a good place to park with easy access to the beach and the grassy margin between the dunes and The Esplanade.

I have asked the Environment Department to arrange for the potholes to be filled in and a more even surface restored.

Nine Pavements in The Ferry to be Upgraded and Adopted in 2016-17

I am pleased to announce that the Council's £0.5m programme of adopting footpaths is continuing for financial year 2016-17 and that the following pavements in The Ferry will be upgraded and then adopted at no cost to residents in these streets.

Stewart Street,
Hill Road,
Strathmore Street (63 Strathmore Street to Rosedale Crescent and Rosedale Crescent to Ellie Avenue),
Collingwood Street (south side),
Holly Road,
Lindsay Street,
Ardmore Avenue and
Kerrington Crescent (south side)

It is expected that the work will commence on these schemes on a phased basis starting approximately one month from now once the actual programming of the works has been discussed and agreed with Tayside Contracts as part of the Roads Maintenance Partnership.

I know that the residents in these streets will be particularly pleased when their pavements are brought up to standard. This will not only improve the underfoot conditions on the pavements concerned but also mean pedestrians are not tempted to walk in the road when the pavements are like a quagmire.

Road and Footway Planned Improvement in Dundee 2016-17

Click on image to enlarge

Recently City Councillors have been issued with a list of the Roads and Pavements in Dundee to be upgraded in financial year April 2016 - March 2017.

A section of this map is reproduced. Click on the image to enlarge.

If you would like to see the full picture for the city please click on this link which will take you to the online Map of Roads and Footways in Dundee to be Upgraded in 2016-17.

Blocked Gully Reported in Torridon Road

While out delivering election leaflets in the Torridon Road area on Sunday afternoon, I noticed that this gully in Torridao Road was not draining properly. This is close to the western end of the road close to its junction with Morlich Gardens.

This morning I have reported the choked gully to the Roads Maintenance Partnership.

Same day update
This afternoon, I received the following email message:

"Cllr Bidwell

 

I refer to your email below and would advise that the Roads Maintenance Partnership inspector for the area has removed the leaves from this gulley just now and will arrange for it to be visited by the gulley sucker once the operatives return to work next week.

 

on behalf of Roads Maintenance Partnership
Dundee City Council & Tayside Contracts"

What an effective responsive service?
Want it sorted, get it reported!

Pothole Action on Douglas Terrace

Last week, I reported a series of eight of the most serious potholes on Douglas Terrace. These were identified on the stretch of Douglas Terrace between its junctions with Dundee Road and Home Street. 

While further along the waterfront towards the harbour the carriageway has been resurfaced, this section of the road is still on the waiting list for an upgrade.

During the winter weather sections of the road surface thet has been been previously dug up and infilled has been eroded and become a hazard.

I am pleased to report that the road has been inspected by staff from the Roads' Maintenance Partnership and they have reported that the potholes should be fixed quite soon.

Missing Bollard and Trip Hazard Reported

A constituent contacted to to complain about a missing bollard in the Queen Street Car Park. The missing bollard - see image top left - is at the end of a line of bollards closing off an earlier access point for vehicles from Gray Street.

The gap that has been exposed between the yellow Taxi Cabin and the remaining bollard looks large enough for a car to squeeze through. 

Not only is the missing bollard likely to encourage vehicles to use this 'entry point' but also it's a potential trip hazard as the exposed base has been hollowed out and might lead to a nasty trip for an unsuspecting pedestrian.

I have reported the missing bollard to the Roads' Maintenance Partnership. 

In the meanwhile, watch your step in this corner of the car park.

Potholes Identified on Tom Johnston Avenue to be Fixed

Last week I was alerted to a number of road defects on Tom Johnston Road in Broughty Ferry close to the Sainsbury's supermarket.

After a 'site' visit, I asked the Roads Maintenance Partnership (RMP) to investigate four serious imperfections in the road surface of Tom Johnston Road between the mini roundabout at the junction with Baldovie Road and the mini roundabout at the junction with the Sainsbury's store car park and the filling station.

The pothole in the picture is deep although hardly the size of a dinner plate yet.

The potholes around some of the drain inspection/access covers were also worthy of attention and repair.

I have received the following positive reply from the RMP:
"I refer to your email and would advise that the Roads Maintenance Partnership inspector for the area has raised an order for the repair of the imperfections in the road surface with a timescale for repair of 28 days or sooner."

Broken Step Reported and to be Reparied

Earlier this week, I was contacted by a constituent who was concerned about the potential dangers from a broken step. She had noticed that there was a loose concrete slab on the flight of steps that connect the Stannergate bridge with the coastal pathway that runs along to Douglas Terrace.

On the way to a meeting, I stopped by and took a picture of the step which I then sent on to the Roads Maintenance Partnership with my observation that the loose concrete 'tread' on the steps represented a trip hazard which merited a rapid response. 

I am pleased to report that I have been notified that the repair is to be undertaken today, Wednesday 1 July.

Positive Responses to Missing Yellow Lines and Gillies Park Improvements

Click on image to enlarge

On Sunday I wrote about the missing yellow lines that had not been repainted at the junction of Brook Street, Westfield Road, Dundee Road and Claypotts Road after it had been resurfaced. I followed this up by contacting staff at the City Council.

I received a very prompt explanation from the Roads Maintenance Partnership that the yellow lining had not been forgotten  but that "the line painting lorry is currently under repair and the double yellow lines will be repainted once the lorry is back in working order."

On Monday, I visited Gillies Park in Barnhill which is located next to Barnhill Primary School and is accessed by road from Ceres Crescent and by foot from Abercromby Street and Falkland Crescent.  I had been expecting to see that the badly rutted car park had been resurfaced and improvements to the lighting in the park had been installed. Having seen that no work had been started and mindful of the fact that funding for this project was available until the end of March, I wrote to the engineer in charge of projects like this. 

The good news is that work at Gillies Park will likely start either later this week or early next week. The staff involved have also reassured me that they will provide advance warning to Barnhill Primary School of the definite start date on site.

Two Wheel Challenge in King Street

Is the stretch of King Street, just west of the junction with New Road and bordering Castle Green, the bumpiest section of adopted road in Broughty Ferry?

If you have cycled along this end of King Street you will have doubtless noticed that it's a bone shaker and a real challenge for all road users on two wheels.

I assume it's the poor sub-structure of the road which accounts for the extensiveness of the indentations and the rippled surface from kerb to kerb.

I have asked the Roads' Maintenance Partnership to investigate and respond with a comprehensive treatment.

Roads Maintenance Partnership Respond Quickly to Dangerous Hole on the Pilot Pier

Click on image to enlarge

Earlier this week, following a period of stormy weather, a constituent noticed that a large hole had appeared in the surface of the Pilot Pier in The Ferry.

Whether or not this was caused by waves braking over the end of the pier, it was clear that some of the stone setts which previously formed the surface of the pavement are now in the sea.

On Wednesday morning, I contacted the Roads' Maintenance Partnership who arranged within a few hours to install a temporary metal cover over the hole pending a more permanent repair. This was a quick and efficient response in the interests of public safety.

I have also requested that the stone setts are removed from the Beach and retained for the tradespeople who will come to fill in the hole and restore the surface.

Potholes at Junction of King Street and Westfield Road Reported to Roads Maintenance Partnership

Earlier today I reported a series of sizeable potholes in the road close to the junction of King  Street and Westfield Road in The Ferry.

As you can see, some of these fissures run along the joints from previous repairs.

I have asked the Roads' Maintenance Partnership to fix these as soon as possible.

Unfortunately Douglas Terrace DD5 is NOT About to be Resurfaced

Earlier this month I was delighted to announce that Douglas Terrace in Broughty Ferry was about to be resurfaced starting on Monday 21 October 2013. 

I had previously drawn attention to the Roads Maintenance Partnership about potholes in this street and the pavements.

When I noticed that no work had started over the last week, I contacted the Transportation Department to inquire about the reasons for the delay. Unfortunately I was informed that the original notice about the temporary closure of the road while the road works were going on had been wrongly sent to Ferry Councillors. I for my part must put my hand up and say I should have read all of the details in an attachment that would have alerted me to the fact that The Douglas Terrace to be resurfaced was in DD3 and not DD5.

Bearing in mind the condition of this stretch of the road along the beachfront, I have written to ask for a date when our Douglas Terrace in Broughty Ferry will be resurfaced.

Rutted Section of Reres Road Needs Resurfacing

This picture shows the badly rutted section of Reres Road close to to its junction with Monifieth Road opposite Orchar Park.

As well as the ruts, there is an accumulation of grit on both sides of the road. As this comes at the bottom of a steep hill and drivers are having to slow or come to a stop, the accumulated grit and debris on the road, together with the pot holes, would make braking less effective. 

I think this represents a road safety hazard. I have sent my picture and report to the Roads' Maintenance Partnership.

Rusted Sign Post on Grassy Beach Needs Replacement

Out dog walking last week, I spotted this sign post on Grassy Beach beside the coastal pathway. 

The post carries a road safety notice warning cyclists and pedestrians that they are sharing the same route and urging 'Cyclists Show Respect (for) Other Users'. It also carries a dog poo bin. 

As you can see from the two pictures, the post, for these signs and the bin, is badly corroded and needs replacement.

As the post carries items for the Transportation and the Environment Departments, this may need some collaborative interdepartmental working to get it replaced.

I have written to both departments and the Roads Maintenance Partnership and asked them to arrange for a replacement. In the meanwhile, I recommend you don't walk too close to this pole.

Hole in Rossie Avenue Reported and Sorted

On Tuesday last week, while cycling along Rossie Avenue, I had to dodge riding into a hole beside the gully at the side of the road. While the hole in the road surface appeared to be  small, it was quite deep and more extensive under the crust of the road surface.

I took a picture on my phone and sent it to the Roads' Maintenance Partnership with a request that the hole was filled in.

On Monday this week, I received confirmation that my inquiry had been investigated and as a result an order has been raised to repair the gully at this particular location in Rossie Avenue.

Another job reported and sorted!

Long Lane Potholes Reported But Would Resurfacing be More Cost Effective?

Click on image to enlarge

Following a complaint from a resident, I have reported this pothole to the Roads' Maintenance Partnership.  

It's located in the western end of Long Lane between Westfield Road and Church Street. 

The depth and sharp edge would make this an uncomfortable pothole to encounter while passing parked cars on the southern side of the street.

While this pothole is certainly worth reporting and patching, the picture also indicates that at several adjacent points, the edge of this road is breaking up and has either been recently patched or will also require repair shortly as small fissures become enlarged. In the long term, a complete resurfacing of Long Lane would probably be more cost effective.

Lawrence Street Potholes Need Fixed

Earlier this week I reported a group of deep potholes on the section of Lawrence Street that runs beside the Marks and Spencer car park. 

They look as though they have been repaired before but what with attrition from recent frost and rain, the holes are now quite deep and the edges soft and crumbling. I have asked the Roads Maintenance Partnership to fill them in.

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.

Residents in Beaumont Terrace Want an End to Potholes in Their Road and Pavements

Just one of the many sections of crumbling road
 & pathway surfaces in Beaumont Terrace

Last week, I met residents in Beaumont Terrace in The Ferry who had contacted me to complain about their pavements and road surfaces. Over the years a long standing resident reported that they had noticed a steady decline in the state of these. 

They took me for a walk round their Terrace to point out what they are concerned about and I took the opportunity to take some photos. From my observations and pictures it's clear that general wear and tear and recent bouts of bad weather have damaged sections of the road and pavements. Some previous patches and sections of infilling over section for the road that had been dug up are crumbling as they lose adhesion.

I have written to the Roads' Maintenance Partnership and asked them to inspect Beaumont Terrace and repair the worst of the existing holes. 

But that won't be enough, except for the short term. After successive batches of patch and mend, the residents I met in Beaumont Terrace think their road and pavements needs to be completely resurfaced and that it must be their turn soon. I agree. 

I have also written to the Council to find out where this street is on the waiting list for resurfacing. I shall be urging that Beaumont Terrace is prioritised.