Green Belt wind turbine approved

A 5.5 metre diameter wind turbine is set to become a feature of the landscape on the A59 Boroughbridge Road following a decision by the York planning committee. The turbine tower is being constructed at the Nairobi Stables and will be 9 metres high. Permission has also been granted for a detached garage which will be used to house equipment and to store vehicles. The power from the turbine will be used to generate electricity for a nearby dwelling and café. It is expected to generate about 9000 KWh per year.

Union Terrace car park – sale abandoned

I understand that St John’s are abandoning their plan to purchase the Union Terrace car and coach park.
It is now expected that the future of transport generally in the City centre, and car parks in particular, will be subject to proper consideration under the Council’s Local Development Framework consultation process.

York College A level successes

York College, where many Westfield teenagers end up taking their A levels is reporting record successes this year.
Their website (http://www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/whats-on/news/another-record-year-for-a-levels.html) reprts:
Another record year for A Levels at York College: 99.3% pass rate

York College’s A Level Faculty is very proud to announce its best ever A Level results. There were 1,325 A2 Level exam entries this summer at York College. The overall pass rate is 99.3%. This means that York College’s A Level results are well above the national average for the seventeenth consecutive year.

An outstanding 73 A* grades have been achieved by York College students, with 249 A or A* grades and nearly half of the total A Level entries achieving the very top grades (A*, A or B). The College is also delighted to report that 34 A Level subjects had a 100% pass rate.

Dr Alison Birkinshaw, Principal of York College, said: “I am absolutely delighted that once again we have surpassed our previous year’s A Level pass rate. The 99.3% pass rate, the exceptional number of high grades and the success of our students are all testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone at York College. These results will give our students a real advantage when they move on to higher education and employment and I would like to wish them all every success in their future careers, they really deserve it.”

For those looking to progress to studying a Higher Education qualification,
York College offers a range of full and part-time degrees at a fraction of the cost of going to other higher education establishments. Bob Saynor, Assistant Principal for Higher Education at York College says: “From this year, and in 2012, students could save a significant amount of money if they choose to study a degree course at York College. Particularly in the current climate, having the opportunity to live locally and study a degree course validated by some of the top universities in the country, could prove to be the best option for many students.”

Anyone interested in finding out about Higher Education courses at York College should contact the Customer Service Unit on tel: 01904 770200″.

Raceday traffic arrangements

Traffic management measures are introduced in the Knavesmire area for days when race meetings occur. How race day traffic will be managed depends on the expected attendance numbers for each individual meeting.

Ebor Meeting

Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 August 2011
• Directional signage will be placed on major arterial routes to the city to encourage traffic to approach the racecourse via A1237/A64. Further signage within the city boundaries will reinforce the preferred route of approach.
• No Waiting Cones on Knavesmire Road, Campleshon Road, Albemarle Road (Part), Knavesmire Avenue, Bishopthorpe Road (part) and one side of Church Lane, Bishopthorpe.

Departure Phase Only – approximately 4:30pm to 7:30pm
• The traffic lights at Sim Balk Lane/Tadcaster Road junction will be turned off. During these hours there will be NO RIGHT TURN permitted in or out of Sim Balk Lane.
• Campleshon Road will be one way from St Chads Church with access only for buses / taxis / cycles from the junction of Lorne Street towards Knavesmire Road.
• Campleshon Road junctions with Albemarle Road, Curzon Terrace, and Knavesmire Crescent will be closed to vehicles.
• Knavesmire Road will be one way from Campleshon Road to Tadcaster Road. No access will be available from Tadcaster Road along Knavesmire Road towards the racecourse.
• Temporary Traffic signals will be in place at the junction of Knavesmire Road and Tadcaster Road.
• Traffic from car park A, on Knavesmire Road, will only be permitted to turn left when exiting onto Knavesmire Road, in addition at the junction with the Tadcaster Road vehicles from car park A will only be permitted to turn left, away from the city.
• Temporary Traffic Lights will be positioned at the car/coach park exit on Bishopthorpe Road.
• Traffic will be monitored.