Dundee City Council News

Batty at Baxter

2012-05-15T23:00:00+01:00

Dundee nature lovers are being encouraged to go batty at Baxter.

The city council's countryside rangers are holding a special session on Friday night (May 18) between 8-10pm to investigate the night world of bats.

People will meet at Baxter Park Centre for an introductory talk before heading through the park to Stobsmuir Ponds to detect batty sounds.

Places have to be booked and costs are family £10, adult £3.50 and concession £2.50.

Anyone interested should phone 431848 or email countryside.rangers@dundeecity.gov.uk

Seagate roadworks changes

2012-05-10T23:00:00+01:00

WORK SCHEDULED to take place on the electricity supply for the new Olympia swimming pool will now be carried out on three consecutive nights next week.

Eastbound traffic will be prohibited in Seagate from East Marketgait to Foundry Lane and also in Blackscroft from its junction with Seagate to its junction with Lower Princes Street from 7pm to 7am on Tuesday (May 15), Wednesday (May 16) and Thursday (May 17).

Foundry Lane will also be closed from its junction with Seagate for 30 metres east for the next two weeks.

During the works pedestrian and vehicle access to premises will be maintained where possible.

Alternative routes are available via East Marketgait and East Dock Street and East Marketgait, East Dock Street and Peep O Day Lane.

The westbound route into the city centre will be maintained during the works.

Riverside Drive T-junction

2012-05-08T23:00:00+01:00

ANOTHER major milestone in the creation of the new road layout for Dundee Waterfront has been reached this morning (THURSDAY MAY 10).

The Riverside roundabout, for many years a feature of the area has been removed, to be replaced by a traffic light controlled T-junction from Riverside Drive.

During preparation work as well as changing the line of the road, the pedestrian crossing between the railway station and Discovery Point has also been realigned.

Weeks of preparation, including overnight work, have gone into the change with the final touches to new road markings being put down in the early hours of this morning.

Drivers are being urged to look out for the changes and familiarise themselves with the new layout.

This change will allow work to start on the railway bridge replacement and railway station upgrade.

More information is available at http://www.dundeewaterfront.com

Last chance to see

2012-05-08T23:00:00+01:00

DUNDONIANS have only a few days left to enjoy the delights of the city's first Tudor Chalet market.

With a wide range of original foods, drink, crafts, clothing, jewellery, home furnishings and accessories from all over the world on offer many people have already made multiple visits.

The themed bar and marquee in the City Square have proved particularly popular in the spring sunshine.

A range of entertainment is also on offer with musicians, singers and other performers livening up procedings.

Run by The Market Square Group in conjunction with Dundee City Council the market will be in the City Square/High Street up to and including Sunday May 13.

More information is available at http://www.dundee.com/events/dundee-spring-festival-2012.html

Dundee Election Results Website

2012-05-03T23:00:00+01:00

During Friday May 4, Dundee City Council election results will be updated on this link http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/elections2012/results2012/

Free Compost Offer

2012-05-03T23:00:00+01:00

Dundee gardeners are being offered free Discovery compost for a limited time over the next week.

The initiative is part of International Compost Awareness Week and supplies will be available from the Riverside composting facility in Wright Avenue between Sunday May 6 and Saturday May 12 only.

The limited offer is available between 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, as well as 9am-5.15pm Saturday and Sunday.

People are being asked to bring their own containers and bags to take the compost away.

Garden waste collected in Dundee by the city council from brown bins is turned into Discovery Compost which is usually sold on to gardeners for 50p a bag.

The week-long giveaway is part of International Compost Awareness Week which is on the theme 'Give Back to the Earth'.

Tay Road Bridge traffic lights

2012-05-01T23:00:00+01:00

NEW part time traffic signals will be in operation on the northbound carriageway of the Tay Road Bridge from Tuesday (MAY 8).

The signals, at the Dundee end, will only be used when there is a breakdown or emergency on the bridge to help with traffic management.

Changes to the on ramps, and the closure of the one nearest Tayside House, mean alternative arrangements for dealing with traffic flow in an emergency have had to be introduced.

Service Arrangements Monday May 7

2012-04-30T23:00:00+01:00

Please click on the following link for more details http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/closurearrange/

DISC reminder

2012-04-29T23:00:00+01:00

REGULAR users of Dundee International Sports Complex have been reminded that only outdoor facilities are available this week.

The sports hall, dance studio, gymnasium and fitness suite are all closed to the public until Sunday (May 6) because of the local council elections.

While DISC is being used to count votes, regular users can try out other similar facilities in the city at Olympia and Lochee leisure centres

Waterfront works

2012-04-29T23:00:00+01:00

DRIVERS using the Tay Road Bridge to travel to Fife from Dundee have been warned of changes in the road layout.

All Fife traffic is being diverted to the newly widened ramp next to the Apex Hotel with access to the bridge via the right lane for drivers coming from the west.

The changes allow the ramps next to Tayside House to be closed completely, before they are demolished to make way for the new permanent approach ramps.

On Saturday (May 5) Riverside Roundabout will be replaced by a traffic light controlled T-junction.

In advance of these changes, the finishing touches to the new layout will be carried out in the evening and overnight all this week in an effort to minimise disruption to road users and local residents.

Diversion routes will be signposted during these road closures

This change will allow work to start on the railway bridge replacement and railway station upgrade.

More information is available at www.dundeewaterfront.com

Housing improvements

2012-04-16T23:00:00+01:00

COUNCIL house tenants across the city can look forward to improvements to their homes as more than £7million looks set to be spent on them.

Dundee City Council's housing committee is to be asked to approve tenders worth a total of £7,010,317m for new kitchens and bathrooms and heating systems.

Jimmy Black convener of the housing committee said: "This investment in houses from Douglas to Dudhope and Caird Avenue to Camperdown will help us to bring more of our stock up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard that we must meet by 2015.

"The quality of life of tenants will be dramatically improved by this investment as they enjoy modern kitchens and bathrooms and clean, efficient heating systems."

If councillors back the move at the housing committee meeting on Monday (April 23) the work will be split between the construction services division of Dundee City Council's environment department and local firm McGill Electrical.

Work will take place in the coming year on houses in Douglas, Menzieshill, Camperdown, St Mary's, West Kirkton, West March, Baluniefield, Broughty Ferry, West Port, Lawton Road, Lochee, Dudhope, Hilltown and Craigie.

New flats for prominent city site

2012-04-16T23:00:00+01:00

A FUNDING package worth more than £7m could kick start the building of 75 flats on a prominent city site, if councillors back the move.

The cash, from Dundee City Council, backed by the Scottish Government's National Housing Trust (NHT) scheme will allow local developer Keiller Estates to build at the former William Halley & Sons premises in Broughty Ferry Road.

Jimmy Black, convener of Dundee City Council's housing committee said: "These new flats will fill a gap for mid-market rented housing in the city.

"They will provide another option for people looking for rented property which within five to ten years could be available for them to buy.

"Under the rules of the NHT scheme when the flats are sold, either to their tenants, a registered social landlord or on the open market the money generated will be used to repay the council, with surpluses going first to the developer to give them a return on their investment, and then to the council and the Scottish Government.

"This creates a winning situation for everyone involved."

A report to be considered by the housing committee on Monday (April 23) reveals there is no financial risk to Dundee City Council as the Scottish Government provides guarantees to underwrite the repayment of any borrowing in the event that rental or sales income is not sufficient to repay the loan.

The council will borrow £7.175m to back the building of 75 flats at the former factory.

Keiller Estates already has pre-planning approval for the development, which is officially know as Wallace Craigie Works, and discussions are going on with the council over full planning permission.

William Halley was a flax manufacturer who became part owner of the Wallace Craigie Works spinning mill, built in 1836. A cotton shortage during the American Civil War resulted in a huge boom in the jute industry and by 1865 the Broughty Ferry Road works had doubled in size. The company retained an interest at the works until the early part of this century.

Mill o'Mains demolition works

2012-04-16T23:00:00+01:00

THE NEXT phase of regeneration at a Dundee housing scheme will come a step closer next week as councillors are asked to approve a £306,833 demolition tender.

Work to pull down 61 flats and 14 lock up garages in Mill o'Mains is scheduled to start by the end of next month, clearing the way for a second phase of new homes.

Jimmy Black, convener of Dundee City Council's housing committee said: "With houses in the first part of the redevelopment already built and occupied by a group of satisfied tenants our partnership with Home Scotland is breathing new life into this part of the city.

"This work to local contractors Safedem, will create space for the second phase of new homes and keep that positive momentum going."

Following demolition contractors working on behalf of Home Scotland are expected to start work on the construction of the next phase in autumn.

Easy as 123...456...789!

2012-04-16T23:00:00+01:00

ELECTION officials from Dundee City Council took to the streets today (Tuesday) "desperate" to help people vote in the forthcoming local council elections.

Enlisting the help of one of the city's most iconic characters the election big guns were persuading people that voting is as easy as 1,2,3, and 4,5,6 depending on the number of candidates!

Gathered at the Desperate Dan statue in High Street with five eye-catching figures the city council election staff explained the single transferable vote (STV) system to shoppers and visitors.

The May 3 poll will be run under STV which gives electors the chance to rank candidates in order of preference by marking a number next to the candidates' name.

In Dundee 29 councillors will be elected in eight wards.

Strathmartine, Lochee, West End, Coldside and The Ferry will return four members, while three councillors will be serve in each of Maryfield, North East and East End.

Clear instructions for filling in the ballot paper are printed on it. It also lists the name of each candidate along with their party name, party logo and their address.

Voters rank the candidates in order of preference by putting a 1 next to their first choice candidate, a 2 next to their second choice, a 3 next to their third choice, and so on. Electors can rank as few or as many candidates as they wish.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last chance to register to vote in the local council elections. To do so, or to check you are included on the voters roll got to www.dundeecity.gov.uk/supportservs/electoralreg/

Dundee Station concourse redevelopment

2012-04-15T23:00:00+01:00

THE CONCOURSE building at Dundee Railway Station could be in line for a £14m redevelopment, including provision of a hotel, if councillors back the move next week.

A funding package including £8.6m from Dundee City Council, £2m from European Regional Development Grant and £1m from the Scottish Government will be put together to create the new station building.

Ken Guild leader of Dundee City Council said: "The weight restricted bridges in front of Dundee Station are due to be replaced as part of the Central Waterfront work, which will create a new public square and attractive arrival space outside the station.

"This work provides a perfect opportunity to cost-effectively tackle the station concourse itself within the same timescale, because doing nothing is simply not an option.

"We have already spoken with local architects Nicol Russell Studios who have created a sweeping crescent shaped five storey design, which has an imposing double height ground floor. The design has also taken account of the proposed V&A at Dundee building to the south and the proposed Malmaison Hotel to the north east.

"I believe it will be the fitting arrival point for visitors that we need to properly complement the V&A building and its magnificent setting."

A report to the council's policy and resources committee which meets on April 23 notes that £11.68m of the funding has been secured or is identified, with the remaining £2.23m being sought from Network Rail.

It reveals that Network Rail is supportive of the project and discussions are going on with them to explore ways they can help.

Councillors will be asked to back the outline proposals for a redeveloped station concourse building and remit the Director of City Development to prepare detailed design proposals and costs and to seek tenders for the staged implementation of the redevelopment.

Additional Funding for PE

2012-04-15T23:00:00+01:00

Dundee City Council's education committee will be asked on Monday (April 23) to approve proposals to spend £95,000 of additional Scottish Government funding to support the delivery of two hours of physical education in primary and two periods in secondary schools.

A report to the committee details plans for the next two years including:

An increase in multi use games areas to ten more primary schools Opportunities for more primary teachers to undertake additional PE qualifications A review of the existing guidelines on teaching PE in primary schools Extending the delivery of two periods of PE in secondary schools for S5-6 pupils

Education convener Cllr Liz Fordyce said: "We are clearly saying that two hours of PE in primaries and two periods in secondaries is the minimum provision in Dundee.

"Primary pupils at schools where multi use games areas have already been installed have benefited from these facilities. This initiative is designed to open up more opportunities for children across the city.

"All of our primary teachers are already trained to teach PE and this extra funding will enable more of them to develop and extend those skills with extra qualifications.

"We are also looking to expand provision in secondary schools to the senior years in S5 and S6, which would give more pupils the chance to participate in PE."

Riverside Drive works

2012-04-11T23:00:00+01:00

ROAD RESURFACING work scheduled to take place tomorrow night (FRIDAY) on Riverside Drive in Dundee as part of the waterfront project has been postponed.

Weather forecasters are predicting sub zero temperatures which would prevent the materials setting properly.

This means that the road will be open as normal to traffic throughout the night.

Contractors are now planning to carry out the work next Friday (APRIL 20) which will see Riverside Drive closed westbound between 7pm and 7am.

White Ribbon charity football match

2012-04-10T23:00:00+01:00

A SPECIAL football match to raise awareness of violence against women will kick off in the city next week.

Former Dundee United player Dave Bowman and his team of United all star legends will show their support by taking on a White Ribbon team in a hotly contested friendly.

The White Ribbon Campaign started in Canada in 1991 when a handful of men decided they had a responsibility to speak out on violence against women.

They decided wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of their pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women, and it is now the largest campaign of its type in the world aimed at men.

A number of local bodies including Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership, who organised the match, Tayside Police, Tayside Fire and Rescue, and Dundee City Council back the White Ribbon Campaign.

The all star legends team grew out of the establishment of a Dundee United Former Players' Association giving the ex-club captain a host of names to choose from in his line ups.

United players of the past who will turn our for the charity game include Davie Bowman, Ray Mckinnon, Ian Jenkins, Gary Bollan, Lee Wilkie, Davie Hannah, Scott Patterson, Grant Johnson, Tony Bullock and Stephen Fallon.

The game will take place at the University 3G pitch, Riverside Drive on Wednesday April 18, with kick-off at 6pm.

Everyone is welcome to come along to show their support, meet the players and learn more about efforts to tackle Violence Against Women.

Weather permitting there will also be off field activities for fans of all ages to enjoy including a crossbar challenge competition with prizes and give-aways up for grabs.

Roadworks Advice

2012-04-10T23:00:00+01:00

Dundee drivers are being advised of roadworks starting from Monday April 16.

A southbound section of Lochee Road, between Dudhope Terrace to West Marketgait (Dudhope Roundabout), will be closed for three weeks for resurfacing work.

A diversion will be in place via Dudhope Terrace, Infirmary Brae, Barrack Road and Constitution Road.

For the third week of the work, the north end of Polepark Road will be closed at Lochee Road. Signed diversions will be in place.

During the work, Lochee Road will remain open to northbound traffic and access will be maintained into side streets to the south.

Meanwhile, Myrekirk Road, between Kingsway and Brunel Road, will be closed for 5 evenings (between 6pm and 6am) from Monday April 16 for resurfacing. Through traffic will be diverted via A90 Kingsway, A923 Coupar Angus Road and Gourdie Brae, and the reverse for the duration of the works.

And the Dykes of Gray Road, between the Kingsway and Landmark Hotel, will be closed for 5 evenings from 9pm to 6am from Monday April 16. Diversions will be via A90 Kingsway, A923 Coupar Angus Road, Gourdie Brae and Liff Hospital Road and reverse for the duration of the works. This closure will allow the completion of a road improvement project.

Information on roadworks is available on Dundee City Council's website at:

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/roadreport/main.htm

Crime Writing Investigated

2012-04-09T23:00:00+01:00

An investigation will be launched into crime writing at the Central Library on Thursday (April 12).

Writers Caro Ramsay, Doug Johnstone and Tony Black will be talking about their new books and crime writing in general.

Readers are being encouraged to come along to the event, which starts at 7pm.

Places are free but booking is essential. Call 431500 or email central.library@lesiureandculturedundee.com

Central Library is operated by Leisure & Culture Dundee, working in partnership with Dundee City Council.