Nature Restoration Fund – woodland planting at Balgay and Riverside Nature Park #dundeewestend

As part of its drive to implement the Dundee Climate Action Plan and Biodiversity Action Plan, the council has been awarded significant funding from the Nature Restoration Fund to develop its woodland resource. The proposals will increase the resilience of the city to withstand the effects climate change, act as a carbon store and provide spaces for biodiversity and local people.
In addition to the direct grant from the Scottish Government, the council has been awarded a further £182 000 from the Nature Restoration Fund. The funding proposal, which was agreed last night by the council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, is to create 12 hectares of new native woodland across 3 sites in the city.
These sites include areas at Riverside Nature Park and Balgay Hill. These new areas of planting will enable Dundee City Council to expand existing woodland areas, improving climate resilience, creating new habitat for wildlife and a future resource for local people.
Officers have communicated the grant success with the local ‘Friends of’ groups, who are supportive, and local community officers are aware of the proposals.
It will also write to the residents of properties which border the area of Balgay. This letter will include a map of the areas to be planted, explain the council’s intentions to increase the woodland resource in the city and the benefits that this will bring, and advises that there will be opportunities for local people to get involved in the planting.
The letter explains the planting process and that temporary protective fencing will be erected. It also highlights that any potential impact on residents have been considered, with planting being situated away from houses, using smaller shrub species at the edges of planting and maintaining informal access paths where possible. No letters will be sent in relation to Riverside Nature Park proposals as there are obviously no immediately adjacent residential properties.




Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT


REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 9 JANUARY 2023


Glamis Drive – closed eastbound in 2 phases from Monday 9 January for 4 weeks for Scotland Gas Networks work. Phase 1: Hazel Avenue to Glamis Road. Phase 2: Invergowrie Drive to Hazel Avenue.

Perth Road (at Pennycook Lane) – temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 10 January to Friday 13 January for bus shelter relocation.

Perth Road/Nethergate (Roseangle to South Tay Street) – overnight (7.00pm to 6.00am) rolling temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 January for C-Plan duct proving works.

Forthcoming Roadworks


West Marketgait (Northbound) at Greenmarket (new BT development) – off‑peak (9.30am – 3.30pm) lane closure for 5 no water service connections commencing 16 January for 2 weeks.

Blackness Road (at Blackness Avenue) – off‑peak temporary traffic lights on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 January for sign installation.

Riverside Drive (at Bridgeview Café) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 23 January (9.00am to 6.00am) for Scottish Water ironwork repair.

South Marketgait (at Railway Station) – off‑side westbound lane closure on Monday 23 January for Scottish Water ironwork repair.

Riverside Drive (Tesco roundabout to Barnetts Garage) – closed overnight (10.00pm to 6.00am) on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January for Network Rail bridge safety inspection.

Session Street – closed from Monday 30 January for 2 weeks for Scottish Water work.

Glamis Drive – road closure on Monday 13 February for CityFibre works.

Dunmore Drive/Gardens – closed Thursday 23 February for 5 days for carriageway resurfacing. *

* On this work in Dunmore Drive/Gardens postponed from late 2022, we sought assurances from the City Council that the work will take place in early 2023. We have been advised as follows from the Senior Engineer – Roads Maintenance Partnership :

“At present all being well, the works are currently programmed for the last week in February, first week in March.

The only sticking point is with the increases in the Bitumen prices there may be a possibility that the works may be postponed until after March. I am currently working out the likely outturns for the works on site now against the budget so should have a better idea by the end of next week.

Once this has been completed I will let you know.”



Entrance to Balgay Park at Balgay Road/Scott Street #dundeewestend


We received complaints about the road surface and footways around the entrance to Balgay Park at Balgay Road/Scott Street.    We raised this with the City Council and received the following feedback :

“Neighbourhood Services and the Roads Maintenance Partnership have completed their inspections of Balgay Park/Scott Street entrance. Below is their feedback :

Neighbourhood Services

The road surface to the inside of the Balgay Park falls within a promoted cycle route and a request has been submitted to Sustainable Transport Team seeking the possibility of resurfacing of this area due to the degradation experienced through general wear and tear, albeit I am pleased to confirm no actionable defect is present.    The park gate / barrier is in need of a repair and as such, repair work is in the process of being organised.

Roads Maintenance Partnership 

The surrounding footways leading into Balgay Park are all in good condition with no actionable defect present.    The Scott Street carriageway is in a worn condition simply due to its use and age;   however no actionable defect is present.    Unfortunately due to ongoing funding cuts being passed down to the Roads Maintenance Partnership and the effects of hyperinflation, it is unlikely this carriageway will be resurfaced for the foreseeable future.”



Dundee Technopole – an update #dundeewestend

Residents have asked us about progress with the Dundee Technopole – the area to east of Annfield Road – running between Hawkhill to the south and Blackness Road to the north.


We asked for an update from the council’s Director of City Development who updated us as follows :

“The existing building fronting the Hawkhill (previously Cyclacel) is currently on site and will be opened shortly as the Centre For Protein degradation.

All other buildings including the Incubator and Tayside Scientific Services remain in use

The University are currently tendering the new building for the Tay Cities Regional Deal funded biomedical cluster, which will occupy the site to the north of the University incubator.


This leaves two or three plots at the northern end of the site which are reserved for future life sciences spin-outs. These will be promoted as part of the Life Sciences Innovation District once this is launched. No fixed time at this stage, but University will move on to this after the Biomedical hub is on site.”


Christmas tree recycling

If you have a real Christmas tree requiring removal, the City Council provides a recycling service for this.
To arrange for a pick-up of your tree please go to the following link – www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/environment/christmas-tree-recycling
Remember to remove tinsel, decorations or any pots and stands before presenting your tree for collection.
Alternatively you can take your tree to the recycling centres at Riverside and Baldovie for disposal.   Please note, however, that the Riverside recycling centre has not been open the past couple of days due to flooding at the site.