“On the buses” comedy comes to York Council chamber

Greener buses for York? – “Don’t know” answer by responsible York Councillor adds to confusion

Cllr Dave Merrett was unable to say whether a bid to the Green Bus Fund had been lodged by York before last Tuesday’s deadline.

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Answering a question at last nights Council meeting the Cabinet member for Transport was reminded that he had promised at a meeting held on 10th December that the City would seek a share of the governments £12 million green bus fund.

Para 7 of the minutes of a bus partnership meeting said,

“CYC have commissioned ARUP to undertake a Green Bus Study with two objectives:
• To outline timescales for and a route to deliver zero emission buses in York
• To deliver a successful Green Bus Fund bid for York, with a submission date of 26th March 2013”.

Cllr Merrett appeared unsure whether the bid had actually been sent in and tried to imply that the responsibility rested with First buses.

He was also unable to say how much the ARUP consultancy work had cost taxpayers.

The original Council question had asked what consultation with residents had taken place on the content of the bid.

It now appears that the responsible Cabinet member himself had been kept in the dark about the progress being made. Either that or he wasn’t letting on about his complicity in the shambles.

Obviously a highly unsatisfactory state of affairs.

In a separate debate, Cllr Merrett continued to claim that sales of ”All York” bus tickets could not be publicised “for reasons of commercial sensitivity” ….. and this despite the public minutes of the 10th December meeting claimed that there had been 10000 sales in the first quarter!

Later Council Leader Alexander “tweeted” York Central Liberal Democrats to claim that the sales figures weren’t “secret”.

So we’ll wait and see whether the Council now publishes any information.

Consultations start on new cycle route for the north of York

York is affirming its position as one of the safest cycling cities in the UK with plans to introduce a major new cycle route in the north of the city.

Proposed cycle path. Click to enlarge

Proposed cycle path. Click to enlarge

Supported by North Yorkshire Police and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the scheme proposes to introduce a safe off-road shared cycle and pedestrian route along the A1237 outer ring road, between the Haxby Road roundabout and the B1363 Wigginton Road roundabout, connecting over 15,000 people living in this area of York.

The proposed measures also include new crossing links with Haxby Road on both sides of the roundabout, a new bridge over the York to Scarborough railway line with approach ramps on the existing embankments and an additional crossing point on Wigginton Road to safely connect with Clifton Moor.

The provision of an off-road route/safe link opens up access (sustainably, via cycling and/or walking) between Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, Earswick, New Earswick and to the retail, leisure and employment destination of Clifton Moor as well as students attending Joseph Rowntree School.

The new cycle route has been made possible by £4.6 million of government funding.

Residents can find out more about the proposed new cycle route by visiting www.york.gov.uk/haxbytocliftonmoor to view the proposals and to complete a short survey regarding the scheme. The council is particularly keen to obtain the views of any potential users of the route. All responses should be returned by Friday 17 May.

Background information can be found by clicking here

Alternatively, residents can attend the following Ward Committee meetings at:
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