A multi-millon pound scheme to help protect residents’ homes and businesses from the risk of flooding is now underway in the Water End area of York.

The £3.2million scheme starts after an extensive public consultation by the Environment Agency over the past two years. The work will help to reduce the flood risk to over 300 homes and businesses in the area.

The defence work will consist of building a brick-clad flood wall that will be approximately 300 metres long, along the section of Water End between Landing Lane and the river bridge. Flood defences will also be installed around Landing Lane. The existing embankment behind Swinerton Avenue and the park land behind St Barnabas School will also be raised as part of the scheme.

To stop river water entering Yorkshire Water’s sewerage system, a series of underground valves called penstocks will be upgraded. Innovative remedial work will also help to decrease seepage through existing flood embankments.

Helen Tattersdale, Environment Agency project manager, said: “We’ve worked closely with the local community and our key partner, City of York Council, and have produced a scheme that will reduce the risk of flooding and help to give residents greater peace of mind. Construction has now begun and we aim to complete the works as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Temporary footpath and cycleway closures will be in place from Monday 8 April. Residents with queries about the scheme are welcome to drop in at the site compound at any time.

The works are expected to be completed by December 2013. More information on the scheme click here

The York Council’s new West Offices are now open for business.

Residents visiting the building will find an intimidating array of technology, although staff continue to be helpful and courteous.

The offices are built on the site of the City’s old railway station* which closed in 1877. Fortunately the old railway announcer has been recruited and continues to issue instructions to those in the customer reception area.

The reassuring voice is reminiscent of that used in Logan’s Run just before the victim is turned into a pack of multi vitamins. The open atrium had those waiting in the reception area half expecting to be wafted upwards in a Carrousel to meet their fate.

After picking up a mandatory ticket, residents are subject to big brother announcements tolling out numbers and instructions to enter a maze of numbered desks.

Unfortunately the numbers of the desks aren’t visible from the waiting area which adds to the Alice in Wonderland feel.

This morning the announcements prompted a couple of shouts of “bingo” while one customer, apparently inspired by the station heritage, hurried off across the road to board the 10:47 to Kings Cross.

Modern it is.

Over the top for a Council reception?

Yes, probably.

The Council still has a lot of explaining to do about the costs of fitting out the new offices.

Amongst the unanswered questions are the costs of IT equipment (most of which is new) and how much the Council has received from the sale of old equipment and furniture.

The original idea was to let out spare space at West Offices and use the income to fund a branch office at Acomb. With Acomb residents now having to trek into the City centre for make even the simplest request, they will wonder how much the Council is receiving in rent and what it is being used for?

………..& finally the (frankly disgraceful) decision to abandon the Guildhall (most of which is now empty) prompts many to wonder just how much empty offices are costing to maintain?

*The old railway station was originally built by George Hudson.

Co-incidentally there is a talk about the “Railway King” taking place on Friday 19th April. The details are:

‘George Hudson Lives Again – the Railway King return to York’.
Join the civic party in the Mansion House, as historic actor and storyteller Chris Cade tells the story of Hudson with great entertainment.
Friday 19 April, 7pm for 7.30pm, at the Mansion House.
Tickets are £9.50 and are available from the Visitor Information Centre on Museum Street/Blake Street. Cost £9.50 which includes a drink.

Urban Fantasy Author Jerry Ibbotson will be giving a talk about writing, self-publishing and the world of e-books.

• Location: Dringhouses Library

• Time: 17:30 – 18:30

• Cost: Tickets £2, includes glass of wine/squash and nibbles

Background click here

Jerry is the author of two novels, Chosen and The Veil. His writing combines the ordinary world with extraordinary characters and incredible events.

‘Chosen’ and ‘The Veil’ were self-published and Jerry is well placed to answer questions from anyone interested in this expanding part of the publishing world.

He’ll also be talking about the creative process and how to get your ideas into print – on paper or ebook.

Tickets £2, includes glass of wine/squash and nibbles.

To reserve a place contact Dringhouses Library on (01904 552674) or dringhouses.library@york.gov.uk