COUNCIL CHIEFS in Dundee yesterday unveiled a 125-ft long hoarding charting the history and future of the city’s waterfront area.

The hoarding tells the story of Dundee’s relationship with the River Tay from the 18th century to the radical transformation planned for the next three decades, which aims to turn what is regarded as an eyesore into a jewel in the city’s crown.

Joe Morrow, convener of Dundee City Council’s economic development committee and chairman of the Dundee waterfront board, and Mike Galloway, the city’s director of planning and transport, unveiled the epic journey, which screens work going on under the Tay Bridge off ramp in Dock Street.

Councillor Morrow said, “Dundee has had a long and fruitful relationship with the river and the harbour area created to link the two, but for too long now the city and its people have been isolated from parts of the waterfront.

“The plans which feature on these boards show how we propose to re-establish that link for the benefit of Dundonians and visitors.”

As well as showing drawings, pictures and artists’ impressions of the waterfront master plan the hoardings, to be completed in the next few days, direct passers-by to a new website, www.dundeewaterfront.com which details the extensive changes needed to make the vision a reality.

These include extending the city centre’s built environment to the waterfront, partly by a new grid street pattern based on historical routes; the removal and replacement of some of the Tay Road Bridge on and off-ramps; the creation of a major civic space and reopened dock stretching from the Caird Hall to the river; and ultimately provision of a new rail station.

The 30-year master plan was conceived in 1998 and since then Dundee City Council, along with its partners, has been putting funding in place to start the massive changes, and carrying out preparation works.

Among the changes Dundonians have already seen are realignment of part of Marketgait, which is enabling new development and strengthening of the Dock Street rail tunnel. It is hoped this stage will be completed in November.

The works, and the erection of the hoardings have not affected access to Dock Street and Shore Terrace, and businesses in the area are trading as normal.