By David Clegg

DUNDEE CITY Council has refused to release further details of a publicly-funded “vision” for a radical redesign of the city’s dilapidated railway station.

The future of the rundown facility has been mired in controversy in recent months after it was passed over for an upgrade while Edinburgh’s Waverley station was awarded £130 million to improve access.

The issue has raised the hackles of local campaigners and politicians—including Dundee West MP Jim McGovern—and led to allegations the city’s needs are being overlooked.

Following public pressure in April, a number of council drawings were released giving a taste of what could replace the current rundown facility in the event of funding being obtained.

The Courier subsequently requested further details of the wish list plans using freedom of information legislation to give readers a better insight into the site’s potential. However, we were informed yesterday this information would not be released, as it would “substantially prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.”

The council’s legal manager Roger Mennie said, “The director of city development advises me that the documents which you have requested are currently the subject of consideration by officers and will in due course be reported to the Dundee Central Waterfront Partnership Board and the council’s policy and resources committee.

“I take the view that disclosing documents which have yet to be fully considered by officers and before they have been reported to elected members would substantially prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.”

The council drawings, featuring sweeping curves, a cafe and retail units, were drawn up by architectural consultants on behalf of the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat administration as a basis for any future development by Network Rail.

Last night the transport convener during that period, Fraser Macpherson, said he would have intended for the plans to be released if he was still power.

“I personally don’t see what the problem is. The information has been available for some time. In fact, some of it was put before the waterfront board when I was still on it prior to the administration change on March 30,” he said.

“The question is why there seems to be stalling of bringing this forwards. There is an ongoing delay when this information has been available for some time.”

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild has warned the much-discussed vision has no official status and is rather what the council would like to see in the event of Network Rail funding being approved.

Campaigners argue that there is currently limited provision for disabled commuters at the station, and changes will need to be made if the facility is to cope with visitors flocking to the proposed Victoria and Albert Museum.