Enforced Dundee border is ‘not sensible’

A Covid-19 enforced border around Dundee is “not sensible” and could also separate communities.

So say councillors as the city faces likely Tier 3 restrictions on Monday, with the rest of Tayside and Fife in Tier 2.

An announcement is to be made by the Scottish Government today confirming the status of each council area.

Labour group leader Bailie Kevin Keenan said Dundee’ s circumstances are “unique” in Scotland and said sectioning off the city would not work.

He added: “We are a regional centre where people travel into the city for work, essential services and leisure.

“The very tight city boundaries are arbitrary and solely the result of Tory gerrymandering from decades ago.

“The community of Dundee is far larger and the impact of separating us out from our community will be severe.

“People in Angus, Perthshire and Fife will require details on travel and accessing the essential services Dundee provides. What does this mean for people needing to get to Ninewells? How do people get their shopping?”

Liberal Democrat group leader councillor Fraser Macp her son stressed the need for clear communication with the public.

He said: “We think a “border” tight round the Dundee City Council boundary in terms of Tier 3 is not sensible and takes no account of the large number of people movements to areas in Per th and Kinross, Angus and north-east Fife.

“Messaging about what each level means must be crystal clear and well-explained as the rules have now changed so often.”