Loss of Perth Road ATM a real disappointment

Residents will recall that, last August, Royal Bank of Scotland lodged a planning application to shut the bank’s ATM at 260 Perth Road, the site of a former branch that closed in 2014.   This was because the bank’s lease on the building ends this spring.

I wrote to the bank last summer reminding them that when the branch closed, I was given a commitment that its free-to-use cash machine would be retained.   I asked that the company to therefore look for alternative sites in the Perth Road area and the bank did commit at that time to look at possible options.    

Since then, I have sought updates from the bank and I have now unfortunately received the following update from the bank’s Local Director, Fife, Perth and Tayside :

“Thank you for allowing me time to look into your concerns.

Our lease on the former branch on Perth Road is expiring in April 2019 and we have taken the difficult decision to remove the ATM. 

Since the branch closed we have explored options available to relocate the existing machine at a new site, however, we cannot find a suitable alternative location and therefore the existing machine will be removed this week. 

It is not the outcome we had hoped for, however, our customers will continue to have a number of alternative ways to access their cash locally. There are over 30 other free-to-use ATMs within 1 mile of the old branch premises, with a machine next door at Premier convenience store. 

The Dundee Chief Office branch is just under a mile away on High Street and is open Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. 

Our customers can also use any Post Office to check their balance, pay-in and withdraw cash. The nearest Post Office to the former branch is 60 yards away and is open six days a week: 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday – it also has an external ATM.

A number of shops also offer cashback services and customers can also make use of contactless payment systems too. Customers can also contact us over the phone to check their balance – 03457 888 444.

I appreciate you may be disappointed by our decision, however, I hope I have been able to explain the continued cash provision that remains available to your constituents.”

I have asked the bank for detail of the options it considered as I consider the outcome to be highly disappointing.    The loss of a key free-to-use ATM from one of the major banks in the area is a matter of regret.


Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR SATURDAY 23 AND SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2019

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) – off-peak northbound nearside lane closure from Sunday 24 to Tuesday 26 February for BT works.


Getting things done – Blackness Road #dundeewestend

Many residents have contacted me concerned about the need for a better road surface in parts of Blackness Road.
I raised this with the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following positive response :
“Blackness Road from Glamis Road to Glenagnes Road has been identified for possible inclusion on the 2019/2020 Carriageway Programme for surface dressing subject to available funding.”



Latest news from Friends of Wighton

From Sheena Wellington :

Bruce Davies at the Wighton! – Cappuccino Concert  
Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library
Saturday 23rd February – 11am (doors open at 10.30am)

Bruce Davies, the Fife based singer songwriter will be appearing at Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee on Saturday 23rd February from 11am to noon.

With 35 years as a professional entertainer behind him, Bruce is a musician whose easy on the ear singing and storytelling have gained him many friends on four continents.  Crisp acoustic guitar playing is one of his trademarks and, as BBC Celtic Roots said, “a voice in a million”.

His recent album “Blowin’ In The Wind – The Other Great American Songbook” has been universally acclaimed and his Edinburgh Festival Fringe show featuring material for the album played to full houses.  He spends his summers hosting and singing in “The Spirit of Scotland Show”.

Throughout his career he has travelled widely, performing in prestigious venues throughout the UK and USA to a huge variety of audiences.  He has recorded extensively as a musician and producer for folk legends The McCalmans, and Harvey Andrews.  In a recent list of “The Hundred Greatest Cultural Fifers…Ever!”,  Bruce featured alongside Ian Rankin, Dougray Scott, Val McDermid, Jack Vettriano and other Fife luminaries.

He has received many plaudits but his most treasured are, from Kenny  Rogers “You do great work!” and when his songwriting hero Tom Paxton introduced him as “ one of Scotland’s best singers”.

Tickets are £5 and tea/coffee is also available for small donation.


Lochee Park playpark improvements – an update #dundeewestend

The City Council has updated me about the proposed commencement of the playpark improvement works at Lochee Park’s playpark as follows :

“Works are due to commence at the end of February and we will have signage in place in advance to give notice of the closure of the park. 

A laminated plan will also be put onto the noticeboard.”

The new playpark proposals look great and will be a huge improvement :