Last nights meeting saw the Cabinet member, with responsibility for transport, approve the revised traffic proposals for the Poppleton Road/Boroughbridge Road area (see http://stevegalloway.mycouncillor.org.uk/2012/09/25/4992/)

However, the impact of the changes on commuter parking patterns is to be reviewed when the scheme has been implemented and modifications to the layout of the Acomb Road/Holgate Road/Poppleton Road junction may be made to provide more space for cyclists.

The work is likely to be completed before Christmas.

The Council http://tinyurl.com/York-Council-28th-Sept has issued the following general advice for residents clearing up after a flood:

There are a number of things to be aware of when clearing up after a flood

• Always ensure you wear waterproof gloves and footwear to prevent any contaminates coming into contact with the skin

• Avoid eating and smoking whilst clearing up and make sure hands are thoroughly washed before doing either

• Wash any areas of skin that have come into contact with flood water, silt or other rubbish

• Be mindful of weight when lifting any bags – wet bags are heavier than dry ones

• If bags do tear, please clear any spillages quickly and place in a clean, dry bag without overfilling it.

• Don’t overfill refuse bags as they will be very heavy and may tear when lifted causing further problems

Further clean up advice from the Environment Agency can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Floods-clean-up

The following web site may also be helpful. Health Protection Agency http://tinyurl.com/HPA-28th-Sept

The Police have issued the following advice

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Hiscox building design 2012

Council HQ design 2008

The Council is expecting to agree to sell off land in Hungate which it spent £2.4 million on purchasing in 2007. It was to have been the site of the Council’s new HQ but the plans were effectively vetoed by English Heritage.

Now, as was forecast at the time, the site (which includes the Haymarket car park and the former Peasholme centre) is set to sell for close to its £5 million valuation.

It will become the new home of insurance giant Hiscox with up to 300 new jobs created.

The developers also hope to put a large 262 bedroomed hotel on the site although, with so many planning permissions outstanding for this type of development in the City, there must be a question mark over this part of the scheme.

Residents will be looking carefully at the business case that is presented for the sale. This is a prime site and one that needs to generate a substantial premium for local taxpayers. The annual loss of income from the car park (around £150,000) will need to be factored into any valuation.

But generally the announcement could be good news for the City if the project gets planning permission.

Eyes will turn to those conservation groups which opposed the HQ design.

English Heritage in particular – who claimed to be concerned about the Listed 15th century Black Swan public house which adjoins the site – may have to modify their views on whether this style of modern architecture can stand side by side with historic buildings.

Mayfield Grove nature reserve

No decision was made at last night’s Council meeting which was to have decided who will manage the Mayfield Grove nature reserve.

Representations were made to the meeting by LibDem and Dringhouses Councillor Ann Reid

It is hoped that the Chase Residents Association and the York Natural Environment Trust will now be able to find a working relationship which will allow both to contribute towards the conservation of the area.

River levels on the Ouse at Poppleton. click to enlarge

The Ouse and Foss river levels are now subsiding but it will be a day or so before all roads reopen.

The river level graphs provided by the Environment Agency demonstrate just how severe the threat was yesterday with the monitoring stations at both the Foss barrier and that on the Ouse at Poppleton/Skelton recording record highs.

The performance of the Council and its local representatives in the Leeman Road area is now likely to come under scrutiny. Residents there are reported as saying that they felt “abandoned”. Similar sentiments were expressed in 2000.

Balfour Street

Council Leader and local Councillor James Alexander was quick to blame the Environment Agency for the problems. However surface water drainage issues are the responsibility of Yorkshire Water. Co-incidentally, one York Labour Councillor – who is a member of the “Cabinet” – describes himself on his declarations of interest as the “Communications Manager” for Yorkshire Water!!

The Achilles heel of the flood prevention system in that area seems to be backing up in the sewers. Residents will need to be convinced that the £3.2 million scheme to increase the height of the barriers, and which was announced in February, will also address the sewer/drainage issue.

For the latest traffic information please click tab on the left

River levels at the Foss barrier. click to enlarge

Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that Summer Schools for disadvantaged young people in York will benefit from an extra £100million in government funding. This will ensure that this year’s successful Summer School programme will be secure for a further two years, as well as giving new schools the opportunity to take part.

This summer 5 schools in York took part in the programme which aims to help pupils make the step-up from primary to secondary school. All pupils who receive free school meals or are ‘in care’ are eligible for the scheme. Schools receive £500 for each pupil for a 2 week Summer School and £250 per pupil for a 1 week Summer School.

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