Green Investment for the City

A pioneering Dundee climate emergency project in St Mary’s could be set to take its next steps.

Councillors are being asked to approve progress of the design and tender process for delivery of the proposed St Mary’s Drainage Strategy – St Leonards Park.

They will hear that design development and site investigations funding of £450,000 would come from Scottish Water, alongside £250,000 from Dundee City Council.

The project, once constructed, will deliver flood resilience, active travel and road safety improvements, green spaces and increased biodiversity.

This has been recognised by the Scottish Government as a national example of the type of initiative that needs to be undertaken across Scotland to meet the climate emergency.

A report explains that The St Mary's Surface Water Drainage Strategy is a climate resilience project being progressed under the city council and Scottish Water ‘Water Resilient Dundee Partnership’ with NatureScot, SEPA, Sustrans and Transport Scotland.

Meanwhile, the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee will also consider environmental investment in other areas of the city.

Councillors are being asked to approve a £58,368 tender from Dundee Plant for new play equipment and safety surfacing at Baxter Park playpark.

New installations would include a medieval themed play castle, gatehouse and surrounding climbing structures.  An inclusive seesaw would be installed in the existing playpark alongside communication panels.

A £476, 520 tender from Tayside Contracts is also being put forward for Green Circular Active Travel Improvements. This project would be funded through the Community Regeneration Partnership Fund and would upgrade the section of the Green Circular near the Dighty Burn, between Drumgeith Road and the footbridge linking to Balunie Drive.  

The works would widen the existing path and new lighting columns would be installed to enhance safety and usability. These upgrades are intended to promote active travel by creating a more attractive and accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly those travelling from the Douglas area to the new Drumgeith Community Campus.

Committee convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “The St Mary’s project is a shining example of partners working together to provide local solutions to the climate emergency, while also delivering improvements to benefit the community.

“Efforts to prevent flooding will be accompanied by enhancements to green spaces as well as active travel routes, and I look forward to seeing how this develops.

Climate, Environment and Biodiversity convener Councillor Heather Anderson added: “Everything we do to support people to enjoy our green spaces strengthens their connection with nature and makes them feel better about where they live. It is good to see these individual improvements going ahead.”

The Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee meets on Monday August 18.