Explore Dundee Waterfront in 2018 Including Interior of the V&A Museum of Design Dundee with New 3D App

An innovative 3D interactive app* allowing users to explore Dundee Central Waterfront in 2018, including the interior of the forthcoming V&A Museum of Design Dundee, has been launched online. Developed in Scotland by Edinburgh-based Luma 3D Interactive, a leading specialist 3D consultancy, the ‘Dundee Waterfront 2018' app, which is free, is at the cutting edge of interactive mobile technologies. The free app provides a detailed insight into how the central Dundee Waterfront could look in 2018 and beyond.

Users can explore the city's new boulevards, view the new Railway Station, explore Slessor Gardens (the new civic space) and take a bird's eye view of the marina, new hotels, leisure, retail, business and residential areas.  The next phase of the app will go live in August, allowing users to point their devices at the V&A Dundee site hoardings to view a fully rendered 3D visualisation of the completed design museum. 

Mike Galloway, Director of City Development at Dundee City Council said: "The 3D app is an astonishing piece of technology that unveils how Dundee Waterfront will look in the future.  We are expecting a surge in tourism and visitor numbers as the waterfront develops, so the app will allow prospective visitors or investors a chance to virtually visit and experience Dundee Waterfront now".

The ‘Dundee Waterfront 2018' app can be downloaded at: www.dundeewaterfront.com/interactive 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dundee-waterfront-v-dundee/id1014612228?mt=8 
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.DundeeWF.tour&hl=en  

 * Developed for iPad and Android - optimised for retina display, iPad4+ and Android Tablets 4.4+ (kitkat)  

First Ferry Food Fayre - Sunday 16 August 2015

The Ferry Food Fayre is a new initiative by Food and Hospitality members of the Broughty Ferry Traders' Association which promises to give locals and visitors an opportunity to meet their local food producers and find out more about where their food comes from.


The event, at the Best Western Woodlands Hotel on Sunday 16 August, is free and features opportunities for the public to get involved with competitions including The Great Broughty Bake Off and The Great Broughty Shake Off for cocktail lovers. There will also be demos, raffles, tastings, talks, meet the farmer and more events announced as the event draws nearer.


The mid August date means that local produce, including soft fruit, is at its most abundant and there will be local farmers on hand to explain how our food is grown. A Dundee bee keeper is set to give a talk and to sell some of his honey and an organic farmer will be bringing some of his hens.


The event came about when Clementine Co-owner, Jan McTaggart, suggested a food event to the BFTA Committee last year:
"The Ferry’s range of independent food shops are all about quality and variety – I love how we can use all the shops in the Ferry like a mega-supermarket with the best produce in every department and plenty of expertise to call upon. It’s even better that you can stop at any number of excellent cafes for home made cake, excellent coffee and a good chat as you shop. And maybe enjoy a wee drink with something to eat at all the great pubs and restaurants.

A group of us have been talking about this for a while and we came up with the idea of a celebration of local food and drink. Our customers are all enthusiastic foodies so we wanted to set up an event where we can all meet up, taste some new things, talk about food and just enjoy ourselves.

We were a bit stuck for a venue but the Best Western Woodlands stepped in and offered us their Ballroom and their brilliant events team. It’s really thanks to them that we’re able to do this at all."


The Ferry Food Fayre features the Ferry's finest independent purveyors of food, drink and hospitality including Clementine of Broughty Ferry, Jessie's Kitchen, Bruach Bar & Restaurant, Goodfellow and Stevens, The Cocktail Co., Aitken Wines, Iced Gems, The Cake Guru, Papa Jaques, Chambrier, Party Time,Willows plus more on the day.


Dundee Food Bank is setting up a drop off point on the day and all the proceeds from the raffles and competitions will go to local good causes.

Bonnie Dundee City Centre Walk Tuesday 28 July 2pm and 6pm - Free Event

On Tuesday 28 July staff from City Council's Environment Department will be leading two city centre walks.

Participants will be able to find out about the work of ‘Bonnie Dundee’, a volunteer group working with the City Council to brighten our City of Discovery. They will also be able to see and hear how Dundee has become the FIRST Urban Orchard City and much more information with time for questions.

Meet at Henderson’s the Jewellers at the top of  Union Street opposite the City Churches.

The one hour walks will begin at 2pm and 6pm. 

There is no charge for these events.

Public Consultation on New Ward Boundaries Starting Soon

A good number of residents in West Ferry have contacted me about proposed changes to ward boundaries in Dundee. In Broughty Ferry these changes would involve most of West Ferry being shifted from The Ferry ward into the East End ward.

These proposals have been made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland whose job it is to periodically review local government boundaries in Scotland to ensure that these boundaries take into account population changes.

An extended period of public consultation will begin on these proposals at or around 30 July.

Link to Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland website

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."

Council Apply for Planning Permission for Replacement Primary School and Nursery in Menzieshill

Towards the end of June 2015, the Capital Programmes Unit of the City Council submitted a planning application for the construction of a new 3 stream Primary School and a new 100 place Nursery School with associated access, car parking, landscaping and infrastructure in Menzieshill.

The precise location is to the west of Earn Crescent and south of, Dickson Avenue in Menzieshill, Dundee.

This proposed new school and nursery building will accommodate the combined Gowriehill and Hillside Primary Schools.

Comments may be lodged with the Council by 18 July.

Link to further details about the plans

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.

Broughty Ferry Gala 5 to 12 July 2015 - Summer Fun for all the Family

It's nearly time for Gala week in The Ferry running this year from Sunday 5 - Sunday 12 July 2015.

Gala week begins with the Gala Fete on Sunday 5th July from 1pm to 5pm
at Castle Green. Free entry - silver collection at the gate for local ‘good causes’.

Pick up a free Gala programme from shops in central Broughty Ferry. 
Alternatively, read or download the B/Ferry Gala Programme for 2015

Broughty Ferry Photographic Competition Invites Entries

Click on image to enlarge

Broughty Ferry Traders has just launched their annual BROUGHTY FERRY Photographic Competition.

Get your entries in for a chance to win a £100 first prize and the 12 finalists will feature in the 2016 Broughty Ferry calendar!

Closing date 3 August 2015

Good Luck.

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.

Broughty Ferry Development Trust AGM

Broughty Ferry Development Trust (BFDT) held their AGM at Castle Green Leisure Centre this morning. 

The BFDT aims, "to involve the people who live and work in Broughty Ferry in the development of their community to enhance its environmental and historical assets."

A representative from the Scottish Development Trusts' Association gave a talk and showed a video about the inspirational work undertaken by Development Trusts throughout Scotland. 

A number of additional trustees were elected which helps to secure the future of the Development Trust. 

More information about the previous conservation projects undertaken by the BFDT is available from their blog. Information about current activities can be found on the Broughty Ferry Development Trust Facebook Page

Missing Bollard Located and to be Repaired and Replaced

On Saturday afternoon, I identified that the removable bollard at the end of the coastal pathway at Douglas Terrace was missing with a traffic cone covering the hole.
Link to previous posting about the bollard. 

On learning that it had been missing for more than a few days, I assumed that it been removed as a deliberate act of property damage. 

Subsequently, I requested a replacement from the transportation department.

On Monday afternoon I received more positive news. A manager from the Environment Department let me know that the bollard had been removed for repairing. Apparently, the dog bin man reported problems with removing the bollard to gain access to the bins on Grassy Beach. Apparently it should be back in place later this week.

Thanks to the staff in the Environment Department for maintaining our highly valued open space at Grassy Beach and the coastal pathway.

Grove Academy Eco Group Talking Wildflowers Project

Congratulations to the Grove Academy Eco Group who have been continuing their good work tending and developing the Community Garden in the Queen Street Car Park adjacent to Broughty Ferry Station.

In their latest project, Talking Wildflowers, they have identified and photographed over 20 wildflowers growing at the site. They have also written and recorded stories about 9 of them with more to follow. Their words and pictures can be found on a blog created by one of the pupils https://broughtyqueenstreet.wordpress.com

Missing Bollard on Coastal Pathway at Douglas Terrace

This afternoon, I went down to Grassy Beach to attend the open day organised by Dundee Sailing Club. 

On the walk there, I noticed that the removable bollard at the end of the coastal pathway at Douglas Terrace was missing. 

I have checked with Dundee Sailing Club and the Royal Tay Yacht Club and the bollard has apparently missing for the best part of a week. This is an important loss as the bollard helps to prevent motor vehicles from driving along the coastal pathway.

I have written to the Transportation Department to request that a replacement bollard is installed.

School Placing Requests - What you Can do if Your Choice of School is Refused

A parent or carer has the right to make a placing request to send their child to a particular school other than the one in whose catchment area they reside. The local education authority can refuse to accept a parent or carer's choice. If this happens, the parent or carer can take informal action by talking to the local education authority or formal action by appealing against the decision.

These resources may help inform pursuing either of these options:

Link to Citizens Advice Bureaux notes on Education choices for children 5 to 16 in Scotland

The 'Placing Request Appeal Toolkit' written by Iain Nisbet and Sarah-Jane Kissock - Education Law Solicitors at Govan Law Centre is also a useful resource
Click on this link to read the appeal toolkit or print out a copy - 12 pages.