Transport and safety

WITH the local authority elections only days away, the Tele is continuing to take a look at the city’s wards and the candidates who will be standing.

We also focus on some of the major issues in these wards and how the candidates plan to address them.

Today, the spotlight is on the West End and Coldside.

Coldside is Dundee’s most central ward, covering the Hilltown, the Law, Fairmuir, the Glens and the Dudhope areas.

The area has seen a recent increase in people suffering from f ood poverty and unemployment.

Drug and alcohol abuse was also identified as a topic of concern, with residents saying they’d like to see more local services for addicts as well as people with mental health issues.

In a recent survey, residents complained of feeling unsafe in certain streets after dark.

Residents would like better transport links, including more frequent bus services in the evening and they’d like to see more job clubs, work experience opportunities and better paying jobs.

Sitting councillor Mohammed Asif has spoken about his shock at being deselected by the Labour party and is now standing as an Independent candidate.

Labour’s candidates are Helen Wright — who is running for re-election — and George McIrvine.

The SNP is putting forward Mark Flynn and Anne Rendall, with the Scottish Lib Dems also fielding two candidates — Kristopher Hall and Christopher McIntyre.

The Scottish Green Party’s candidate is Conor Marshall, with Duncan Shaw representing the Conservatives and Wayne Scott standing for Dundee Against Cuts/TUSC.

The West End comprises Balgay, Blackness, Hawkhill, Logie, Ninewells, Riverside and Sinderins.

West End residents have spoken on many occasions recently about the problems they face with on-street parking.

There are also fears that the Perth Road police station could close, and the matter has even been raised at Holyrood.

The ward includes Ninewells, and people avoiding paying for the hospital car park has caused concern among residents.

Only one of the West End’s four current councillors is not seeking re-election with Vari McDonald of the SNP standing in the Ferry.

Nine candidates will contest the four available council seats, with representatives of each of the main political parties running, and Independent, Socialist and Green party candidates also standing.

The SNP are the only party to have put forward two candidates — current councillor Bill Campbell and newcomer Steven Rome.

Representing Labour and the Co-Operative Party is Richard McCready, who has served as a councillor since 2007.

Lib Dem representative Fraser Macpherson has sat on the city council since 2001.

Scottish Conservative candidate Donald Hay has experience as an elected member, having served as a West End representative between 2007 and 2012.

Bradley Booth is standing as an Independent candidate, Andrew McBride is representing the Scottish Independent Network, Morgan Petrie is standing for the Greens and Tam Wilson for the Scottish Socialist Party.