Balmossie Fire Station Has Busy Open Day

Earlier today fire fighters at Balmossie Fire Station hosted their Open Day celebrating the thirtieth  anniversary of the station opening in 1982.

Unfortunately when I arrived I had just missed the fire and rescue demonstrations which apparently went down well with children of all ages.

There were also stalls from other organisations involved in community safety work. I especially appreciated meeting the volunteers from the new team of Community First Responders who provide defibrillation and other life saving techniques until an ambulance arrives.

The 24 x 7 on call availability of our fire and rescue crews make it easier for us all to rest easy in our beds at night confident in their readiness to attend a fire incident.

Lifeboat Open Day Very Well Supported

Broughty Ferry Lifeboat opened its doors and decks today to a public that usually observes their work from the shore line or from reading a newspaper article or watching a TV news bulletin. 

Many members of their admiring public were clearly interested to take advantage of the all too rare opportunity to see round the lifeboat shed and the lifeboats.

I think we appreciate why the volunteers crewing and supporting the busiest lifeboat in Scotland have to prioritise rescues over arranging and staffing open days. 


I am delighted they opened up the lifeboats and shed today and gave their supportive public a closer peek into the kit they deploy to rescue those in peril on the seas.

It was a great family afternoon out and a good opportunity to gain a closer insight into their rescue work.

CATS a Remarkable Performance from Dundee Schools' Music Theatre

On Friday night I attended a spell binding performance of CATS at Dundee Rep performed by the Senior Group of students of the Dundee Schools' Music Theatre.

The musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber with words based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot; does not feature any spoken dialogue. This makes the show very demanding of the company of performers because it comprises two Acts of almost non stop singing and dancing. 

The performers drew and maintained my attention with impressive ensemble dancing and cameo athletic and balletic solos. The lead voices were confident and expressive and were well supported by the other players. The costumes were brilliant supporting the feline movements of the dancers in the creation of the personas of the various 'cats'.

I expect to see more than a few of these performers, on stage in the Rep again but next time as part of the professional repertory company.

Overall this was another very impressive performance from our own Dundee School's Music Theatre. 

Jungle in Beach Lane Pathway Must Be Cleared and the Path Should be Upgraded

I have received three recent complaints from constituents about the state of the Beach Lane pathway which runs from Dundee Road over the railway footbridge to the coastal pathway at Grassy Beach. 

One of the constituents was out for a walk last week and observed that 

"I found it (the path) to be in a terrible state with grass, nettles, brambles etc and, determined to get to the bridge, I struggled through but found it a very unpleasant experience and ended up with a few nettle stings and muddy feet into the bargain." 

I checked the core paths map produced by the Council which confirms that the Beach Lane pathway is clearly indicated on the West Ferry map of core paths; so this is recognised as an important pathway.

I have written to the the Environment Department and asked them arrange for the brambles, nettles and other plants blocking the path to be cut back and removed.

This pathway will become the main access route to the coastal pathway from the Ferry end, when work to upgrade the eastern end of the raised coastal walkway/cyclepath is undertaken.  I think therefore that Beach Lane also deserves some improvement, especially drainage where surface water collects and makes the underfoot conditions muddy. 

I have also written to the Transportation Department to request that the surface of this pathway should be treated to get rid of the muddy patches where the surface water currently collects. This will necessarily take more time to schedule than the cutting back of the overhanging plants and shrubs.

Broughty Ferry Lifeboat Open Day Sunday 19 August 2012 12:30-16:30

Broughty Ferry Lifeboat are holding an open day on Sunday 19 August 2012 at the Life Boat Station at the foot of Fort Street, Broughty Ferry.  12:30 - 16:30.

There will be opportunities to see round the lifeboats as well as souvenirs, stalls, teas, coffees and a bar b q.

Support our local lifeboat service and our wondeful volunteer lifeboat crew members.

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. 

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.

Support for Granting Planning Permission for the Final Section of the Coastal Path Between the Stannergate and Douglas Terrace

On Monday evening 13 August, at the Development Management meeting, the Committee approved the planning permission for:

'The refurbishment of a multispan structure which carries a public footpath and will include the removal of an existing parapet, installation of a new post and rail barrier, infilling under the structure and surfacing in asphalt and' on land adjacent to Douglas Terrace.'

The committee report from the Director of City Development recommended approval.

At the Committee, I sought assurances that the Council as developer would ensure that the building works were phased in the manner which would reduce restrictions on public access to the cyclepath and footpath throughout the contract period. In particular that access was maintained where practicable via Beach Lane over the footbridge which joins the coastal path just adjacent to western end of the final section of the raised section of the coastal walkway that remains to be upgraded.

I emphasised the value of this existing right of way to walkers and cyclists using National Cycling Route 1 and this section of the Dundee Green Circular whether for fun, fitness or commuting. I also requested clear signage for the diversionary routes that would need to be in place for cyclists and pedestrians. 

I was pleased to receive a comprehensive reassurance from the Director of City Development, Mike Galloway, that maintaining access to the remaining section of the coastal pathway during the upgrading works and signalling diversionary routes would be undertaken.

Notwithstanding these temporary difficulties, I also emphasised that we should not lose sight of the prize of an upgraded coastal pathway all they way between the Stannergate and Douglas Terrace which should enhance the experience of walking and cycling along the river safely segregated from motorised road traffic. This pathway and the southerly views it affords over the river to Tayport and Tentsmuir Forest and to the East towards Douglas Terrace and Broughty Castle is one of the veritable jewels in the Broughty Ferry Crown. 

I also said that I trusted that this planning permission would trigger the subsequent contract to undertake the construction work and that I hoped to see the upgraded coastal pathway completed and open to mark the centenary of the annexation of Broughty Ferry in 2013.

More Trains Stopping at Broughty Ferry Station Please ScotRail

On Monday I was notified by Broughty Ferry Community Council that John Yellowlees, the External Relations Manager at ScotRail, will be attending their meeting on the evening of Tuesday 6 November. Apparently, one of the items he will be covering will be the new timetable for Broughty Ferry begining in early December.

I understand passengers number using trains to and from Broughty Ferry have risen significantly since the  increase in the number of stopping trains on the timetable that came into force from 12 December 2011. 

What would make a significant boost to passengers number is the development of a consistent hourly service to Glasgow and Aberdeen with changes in Dundee for services to Edinburgh. This would not only be more predictable for the travelling public, but good for ScotRail revenues and kinder to the environment.

I hope John Yellowtrees won't be coming empty handed to The Ferry.  We could do with some good news about more stopping trains at our station on new timetable coming into force a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Folk in Broughty Ferry deserve a regular train service to match the improvements on the platform such as the digital information screens.

We also need a regular and frequent train service between Dundee and The Ferry so that, when the V and A opens in 2015, visitors can easily extend their visit from the water front site in Dundee to the centre of Broughty Ferry.

Balgillo Road East Potholes - Council Action Required

Residents in Balgillo have complained to me about the poholes on Balgillo Road East. 

Balgillo Road East is the busy road that runs between Balgillo Road and the main A92 Arbroath Road. It runs down the western side of the Sandy Park.

From my observations the potholes are worst on the stretch of the road from its junction with Balgillo Road going north as far as the junction with Rossie Avenue. 

Potholes are more than a nuisance to drivers who experience a bumpy ride and worry about their suspension; they can be a real danger especially to cyclists and other road users with two wheels.

At this specific location, many cyclists are crossing the road while using the Dundee Green Circular route for part of their journey.

I have written to the Transportation Department to request an inspection of this stretch of road and early action to fill in these potholes. 

Dare ProtoPlay 2012 Games Dundee 10-12 August in City Square and the Caird Hall 10:00 - 18:00 each day

The free Dare ProtoPlay computer games festival opened on Friday morning 9 August in City Square and the Caird Hall and continues through Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August 10:00 - 18:00 each day. The organisers invite us to come to Dare ProtoPlay to play and vote for the Dare to be Digital 2012 games.

When I visited yesterday, there was a real buzz in City Square with a linked series of tents stretching between the edge of City Square up to the steps of the Caird Hall. Inside the tunnel of tents, in subdued lighting, were numerous computer screens and gaming consoles displaying the games which have been selected as finalists in this years Dare to be Digital video games competition. Visitors were studiously playing each of these games and then could vote for which they think is best. 

Its a great day out for folk who enjoy computer games and a really fine demonstration of the creative and commercial opportunities arising from developing computer games. 

I hope in subsequent years it might be possible to include an additional schools category in the Dare to be Digital competition. I have written to the Director of Education, Michael Wood and the organisers of the competition at the University of Abertay Dundee, to make that proposal.

Sailing Cadets Enjoy Regatta Week on Tay

This week is Regatta Week for sailing cadets from the Royal Tay Yacht Club and this year they appear to have been enjoying fair winds on the Tay.

The RTYC actively encourage youth sailing with a cadet section (age 10 to 18) with sailing/training on Wednesday evenings throughout the sailing season. Normally during the last week of the Summer school holidays - this week - there is a Cadet Regatta Week to test all the theory learned but with a high ‘fun’ element. 
In a week when our Team GB sailors have been winning Olympic medals in Weymouth, it is good to see the next generation of sailing cadets on the water.

Next Meeting of The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership Thursday 16 August 2012 6pm at Barnhill Community Centre

The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership Meeting
Thursday 16th August 2012 at 6.00pm
Barnhill Community Centre Campfield Square

Local Community Planning Partnerships have been established in each Dundee City Council Ward since 2008. The main purpose of these bodies is to ensure that Community Plans are devised and implemented in response to the locally identified needs in each Ward and to improve the co-ordination of Dundee City Council services with those of our other public and voluntary sector partners.

The meetings are open to members of the public where issues of community concern can be raised in relation to items on the agenda through the chair of meeting.

If you wish to attend and would like further information about the meeting or the Community Planning Partnership, please use the contact details shown below.

Agenda

Welcome and Apologies

Previous Minute and Matters Arising

Community Plan 2012-2017 Update

Sub Groups

• Engaging young people - Gwen Bowles Senior CLD Worker (Youth)
• Mental Wellbeing
• Community Safety - Bruce Farquharson Local Risk Manager Tayside Fire & Rescue
• Community Facilities
• Environment
• Community Centenary Group
• Work and enterprise
• Economic Regeneration/Development

Department/Agency/Organisation Update

Community Issues Raised By Members of Public

Date of Next Meeting

15th November 2012 - Centenary Wing, Camperdown Street.

Carole Jenkins, Communities Officer
Tel: 436929 (Tues, Wed, Thurs only)
carole.jenkins@dundeecity.gov.uk

Questionnaire on Forming a Friends of Broughty Ferry Library Group

Our Library in The Ferry is currently looking to support the formation of a Friends of Broughty Ferry Library Group. Library staff have prepared a short questionnaire which is available at the library issue desk for library users and supporters.

I think our Librarians are hoping that what might emerge will be more active than being Facebook virtual friends. Friends of libraries groups are independent groups of volunteers who support and promote their local library through various activities which the group define and develop.

There are of course positive examples of the added value of friends groups right here on our dooorstep such as the Friends of Barnhill Rock Garden. 

I hope that there is sufficient interest in moving to a public meeting to explore further how residents might give practical expression to their support for our very well used and much appreciated library.

More information from our library staff.

Contact Details
Broughty Ferry Community Library
Queen Street Broughty Ferry
Dundee DD5 2HN
E: broughty.library@leisureandculturedundee.com
T: 01382 436919
F: 01382 436913

Library Opening Hours
Monday, 9 am - 7 pm
Tuesday, 9 am - 7 pm
Wednesday, 10 am - 7 pm
Thursday, 9 am - 1 pm
Friday, 9 am -7 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm 

One Day Closure of Fort Street at its Junction with Fisher Street - Friday 10 August 2012

PUBLIC NOTICE
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 Scottish Water maintenance works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Fort Street (at its junction with Fisher Street), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Friday 10 August 2012 for one day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via King Street / Church Street / Fisher Street.

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