As residents will recall, following the unfortunate removal some time ago of the ‘old’ 204 bus service that covered streets like Newhall Gardens, Invergowrie Drive and Glamis Drive, the council’s response was to establish the “Blether Bus” minibus service for older residents.   

I strongly opposed the withdrawal of the old 204 as it was a better service than the Blether Bus.  The previous version of the 204 went to both the City Centre and Ninewells Hospital, something the Blether Bus did not.   However, at least the Blether Bus gave some sort of service for older residents who would struggle to walk (often uphill) to main bus services on streets like Perth Road and Glamis Road. 

With the onset of the COVID health emergency, the Blether Bus was suspended as it uses a minibus where social distancing is a challenge.   As restrictions ease, I have been anxious to ensure that a service for older folk in the area is restored.   

Back in May, the council’s Team Leader, Parking & Sustainable Transport told me that he hoped the Blether Bus would be restored during the school summer holidays but he has since advised :

‘We are conscious of the potential for community transmission on the minibus services, particularly with the vehicles being shared between school children at Kingspark and older adults.    We will further review our options in the weeks ahead, giving regard to any public health advice available. 

My e-mail in late May 2021 suggested a return date during the school holidays but this was before the spike in Covid cases in the Dundee area which caused us to rethink our plans.  We also had to consider driver availability and the potential of having to withdraw minibus services at short notice if the drivers were ill or required to self-isolate.’

I have made clear to council officers that it is vital that a bus service is restored as soon as possible and also raised the issue at the recent West End local community planning partnership meeting.   It is not acceptable that older residents who cannot get to the main bus services on streets like Perth Road are left without their Blether Bus service.     

I will keep residents updated and can assure the Blether Bus passengers that I will be continuing to pursue this to get the service back ASAP.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – SATURDAY 4 AND SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2021

Riverside Drive (opposite  Tesco) – mini contraflow on Sunday 5 September for Scottish Water manhole repair.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2021

Annfield Row (at Annfield Street) – closed until Monday 6 September for Scottish Water work.

Lochee Road (at Tullideph Road) – temporary traffic lights from Friday 3 to Thursday 9 September for Scottish Water work.

Guthrie Street – off peak temporary traffic lights on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 August for carriageway investigation work.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Road (at Elliot Road) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 13 September for BT work.

Nethergate (West Marketgait to South Tay Street) – closed on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 September for Scottish Water investigation work.

Blackness Avenue – closed from Monday 4 October for 4 weeks for carriageway resurfacing.

From the City Council :

Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating City Fibre cable installation works.  The Order is expected to be in force for 4 weeks from 8 September 2021.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months. 

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in (1) Glamis Drive between Glamis Road and Invergowrie Drive, (2) Hillside Terrace between Hillside Road and Hillside Drive, (3) Hillside Drive between Hillside Terrace and Hillside Road, (4) Hillside Road between Hillside Terrace and number 32 Hillside Road, (5) Dunmore Gardens between Dunmore Drive and number 22 Dunmore Gardens, (6) Glamis Terrace between Glamis Place and Hazel Drive, (7) Oxford Street between Blackness Road and Cambridge Street, (8) Oxford Street between Cambridge Street and Harrow Street, (9) Oxford Street between Harrow Street and Eton Street, (10) Cambridge Street between Oxford Street and Eton Street and (11) Eton Street and Elliot Street between Blackness Road and Cambridge Street.

More than one section may be closed at any time.

Alternative routes will be available via (1) Glamis Drive, Invergowrie Drive, Perth Road, Glamis Road and Glamis Drive, (2) Hillside Drive and Hillside Road, (3) Hillside Terrace and Hillside Road, (4) Hillside Terrace, Hillside Drive and Hillside Road, (5) Dunmore Drive, Perth Road, Glamis Road, Glamis Terrace, Hazel Drive and Dunmore Gardens, (6) Glamis Terrace, Glamis Road, Glamis Drive and Hazel Drive, (7) Blackness Road, Harrow Street and Oxford St, (8) Harrow Street, Blackness Road and Oxford Street (9) Eton Street, Cambridge Street and Oxford St, (10) Oxford Street and Eton Street and (11) Blackness Road, Oxford Street and Cambridge Street 

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS – phone 433082.