Foreign travel

I wonder whether our £3000 a week Council Chief Executive is spending her time profitably in Seoul (Korea) trying to negotiate York’s entry into a UNESCO “Creative City Network”.
It is not that I doubt the value of the supporting the media arts jobs sector in the City. Indeed, it is a natural growth area for York.
I question whether we should link into a woolly concept with no supporting business case, no clear idea of how involvement would tangibly benefit local business and absolutely no way of judging whether the investment of resources has been successful.
Many will point with concern at York’s’ last attempt to jump on a UNESCO bandwagon; the failed bid for World Heritage site status.
Now UNESCO itself is facing serious funding problems in the wake of the Palestine controversy.
Perhaps the City might look more locally for partners at the present time and avoid the temptation to oil the palms of international bureaucrats who offer little that would be of benefit to York’s hard-pressed taxpayers.

Park and Ride service changes for Christmas shoppers

First will be operating late night services on Park & Ride York this festive season. On Park and Ride, return tickets cost just £2.30 from Park & Ride sites and up to 2 children travel free with every fare paying passenger!

Late night Thursdays between 24th November & 22nd December buses will operate until around 2130.

Service 2 Green Line – Rawcliffe Bar
Last bus from Rawcliffe Bar – 2120
Last bus from City Centre – 2135

Service 3 White Line – Askham Bar
Last bus from Askham Bar – 2120
Last bus from City Centre – 2134

Service 7 Red Line – Designer Outlet
Last bus from Designer Outlet – 2120
Last bus from City Centre – 2134

Service 8 Yellow Line – Askham Bar
Last bus from Askham Bar – 2120
Last bus from City Centre – 2133

Service 9 Silver Line – Monks Cross
Last bus from Monks Cross (Shopping Centre) – 2059
Last bus from Monks Cross (Park and Ride site) – 2108
Last bus from City Centre – 2130

Plus! late night services throughout December on Red Line 7.
Buses operate until 2134 Monday-Friday and 2039 on Saturdays between 2nd and 23rd December. (Late night service does not operate on Sundays).

…and more chance to get to the sales!
On Red Line 76, the 2020 Thursday only departure from the City Centre will also operate on Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th December.

There is also a new timetable on Silver Line Service 9 from 20th November –

Parking report

Pay by phone use

The Council has published its annual report on car parking. The results show that, for the year ending in March 2011, the Council was close to budget on its parking account, which shows a turnover of around £6 million.
The number of penalty notices has reduced over the years.
The numbers paying car parking charges by phone continues to increase as does the number of residents buying passes and season tickets for small cars (where a 50% discount on charges applies).
Two areas of concern remain to be addressed.
Verge and footpath parking are a continuing problem. The Police are responsible for enforcement if an “obstruction” is being caused.
Indiscriminate parking at schools – such as on Grange Lane – is being addressed by the parking wardens (Civil Enforcement Officers). 88 patrols were carried out at 24 different schools during the last year. However problems persist.