Council Contractors Repair Damage to Fort Street Bridge Panels and Hole in the Sea Wall

Just before Christmas I noticed that some of the panels on the parapet of the Fort Street bridge had been damaged. Unfortunately, the shape of the holes suggested that the panels had been kicked in. I alerted the Council about this. I was therefore delighted to see that work people were on the bridge on Thursday replacing the broken panels and then repainting the side of the bridge.

It was also good to see that work had also been been completed last week on the repairs to the sea wall between Douglas Terrace and the Broughty Lifeboat shed. Just after new year, I had noticed a significant breach in the sea wall while out on a walk to the paper shop to buy my copy of the the Evening Telegraph and so I contacted the City Engineer.

Congratulations are due to the Council for acting promptly to inspect both the bridge and the sea wall and then instructing contractors to carry out repairs promptly. 

While no one can begrudge having to pay for repairing the sea wall and protecting the road and homes close to the beach, it is regrettable that we are having to use council tax to repair public property like the bridge panels that were damaged by mindless acts of vandalism.

Protecting the Seawall - Rapid Council Response

Coned off section of Fisher Street
above breach in the sea wall

On Thursday, I wrote to the City Engineer about a breach in the sea wall in Broughty Ferry, which I had identified after the recent storm force weather. On Saturday, I received thanks for bringing this to the the Council's attention.

I was also relieved to be told that the sea wall from Grassy Beach to Beach Crescent had been inspected on Friday and the immediately affected area had been coned off as a precautionary measure. I have also been informed that permanent repairs are to be carried out commencing on Monday 9 January 2012. Other areas of lesser remedial works to the sea wall will apparently be carried out at the same time.

In relation to the engineering report I had requested, it was reassuring for residents to know that the City Engineer had already instructed an inspection of the full Dundee coastline after the recent storms. Additionally he confirmed that consultants had already been appointed to carry out a study of the Dundee coastline and that the outcome of that study will be reported to a Council Committee.

Well done to the Council for responding promptly and comprehensively.

Call for Repairs to the Sea Wall in Broughty Ferry and an Engineer's Report

On Thursday afternoon, I had a look at the stretch of the sea wall that runs alongside Douglas Terrace to the Broughty Ferry Lifeboat station. I was concerned about what I was able to observe.  After the recent spate of gale force winds, there is evidence of damage to the sea wall with sections of dislodged stonework. In some places it is also clear that storm force waves have got behind some sections of the wall potentially undermining it.

I have written to the City Engineer to request an immediate inspection of the entire length of the wall from Grassy Beach (underneath the walkway) to the Harbour with immediate repairs instructed where the wall has been undermined. I have also requested a report to go to a future meeting of the City Development Committee assessing the adequacy of the sea wall bearing in mind the recent weather patterns and the potential threat to the footways and roads that runs alongside the wall. 

The photograph I took on the beach shows an obvious breach in the sea wall beside Fisher Street in Broughty Ferry. The hole in the sea wall extends back underneath some distance. I think the full extent of this undermining and further erosion of the stonework along the wall needs to be examined as a matter of urgency.