North Yorkshire Police put its full support behind a European crackdown on metal theft this week.

Over 50 police officers took part in the 38-hour operation across North Yorkshire to support the European Network of Railway Police Force’s (RAILPOL) National Days of Action and Operation Tornado – a regional police campaign to tackle metal theft. (more…)

So what are the objections to cross subsidising the new stadium, community facilities and athletics centre (which is to be located on Hull Road) from the profits of a commercial development involving new stores for John Lewis and Marks and Spencer (homeware).

Essentially there are two.

The first relates to traffic generation.
There are fears of increased congestion near Monks Cross even prompting some Labour Councillors to favour charging for shopper parking at Monks Cross to deter car borne access.

The answer to this objection rests in history. In 1997 a traffic study concluded that York would be gridlocked within a decade. Draconian measures to deter car use were advocated by some. Although car parking charges were dramatically increased in the early part of the last decade, traffic patterns did not generally accord with projections. Some residents opted for different transport modes (cycling, public transport) but the main change was in the time of day that people chose to make their journeys. “Rush hours” spread into a 2 hour period. Traffic levels peaked and have been stable in the City for nearly 5 years now. The grid lock has not materialised.

At Monks Cross the same will happen. Drivers do not deliberately head for locations where they face long delays. They choose their journey times carefully. York is unlike many of its competitors in that it is relatively compact. The park and ride journey from Monks Cross to the City centre usually takes less than 15 minutes. Travellers will opt for the quickest way of getting to their destination.

The second concern relates to the business which may be taken from York City centre shops by the magnet effect of the John Lewis and Marks and Spencers stores.

Marks and Spencer has already decided (before the Monks Cross development was floated) to close its Coppergate store. Like it or not, bulky items are more often than not now bought at locations easily accessible by private transport or through the internet. Inevitably this means a reduction in City centre sales.

John Lewis may have considered a City centre location a decade ago when the Coppergate 2 development was a possibility but times have moved on and their commitment is to Monks Cross. If that fails, then he focus of their investment is likely to switch to the new Leeds shopping developments. (more…)

The Labour controlled York Council’s “Cabinet” decided to close the Burnholme School last night.

One of the problems of single party “Cabinets” is that decisions often appear to be taken before the meeting starts making it frustrating for any residents who attend the meeting hoping that their representations will influence a vote.

What should happen is that controversial decisions should be called in to a “scrutiny” committee which includes opposition Councillors. A meeting would then be held at which both sides of the argument could be articulated by experienced Councillors before a recommended way forward is decided.

Any recommendation from a scrutiny committee is not binding on the Cabinet but it does ensure an open debate.

Whether that happens – there are a couple of days during which a proposed Cabinet decision can still be called in – may depend on the willingness of the Labour Councillors who represent the area around the Burnholme school to seek to exercise the option.