| The third-year students today presented some of their suggested improvements to Dundee City Centre Action Group, and the condition of the station played a central role.
Councillors, MPs and MSPs from all political parties have made repeated calls for ScotRail and Network Rail to upgrade the station to a level befitting Scotland’s fourth city, but have, so far, failed to persuade them. Now, the students have added their voice to the campaign.
Module tutor Manik Gopinath said the prospect of the prestigious V&A museum coming to Dundee added impetus. She said, “Improve- ment of the railway station was one of the points raised in the exercise. With the V&A coming here, it was felt we needed a business-class lounge for those people who might want to come to Dundee by train.
“The students also thought the city needed a big leisure and music venue in the centre to compete with Glasgow and to offer economic opportunities to hotels and shops.
“Another idea was that local companies should be encouraged to have their HQ in the city centre.”
The CCAG tasked the 23 town-planning students with developing practical ideas for a better city centre and today’s presentation was an opportunity for the students to update the group on their thoughts.
The students concentrated on themes of retailing, housing, transport, business and leisure and have produced posters detailing their suggested improvements.
Gregor Hamilton, team leader for partnership and regeneration with the city council, said the students had their own ideas of what should happen in the city centre.
He said, “From the council’s point of view, we are always looking to consult and hear new thoughts and suggestions. We have been working with the action group for a number of years on what needs to be done in the city centre. Students bring a different perspective and we are always keen to see their ideas.
“The railway arrival point is particularly important for Dundee and it does need to be improved. What the students are saying ties in with our goal of trying to get a 21st century station for Dundee, especially given its proximity to the proposed site for the V&A museum.”
Action group chairman Dave Doig said some of his members went to the university to hold a workshop. He said, “One aim is to get students to do practical work on real issues affecting the city centre. They’ve been generating ideas based on issues in the centre at the moment.” |
