A second phase of panels that converts daylight into free daytime electricity with zero carbon emissions is to be installed on the roofs of suitable City of York Council homes.

To take advantage of changes to the Government-set Feed-In Tariffs, the council has agreed with social enterprise Empower Community andsolar photovoltaic panel contractors Nationwide Solar to complete the installations ahead of the 1 July deadline.

Besides houses with conventionally pitched roofs, this phase will also consider roofs of suitable flats, where tenants of the top floor flats will benefit from the free electricity generated. In addition, suitable sheltered accommodation schemes will be assessed, including those with extra care facilities, where the free electricity will be used for the council-run communal areas.

(more…)

A group of Year 5 pupils from Clifton Green Primary School will be helping to make a Smarter York on Thursday 23 May when 47 pupils will make light work of litter in the area.

The litter pick of Ashton Park, Crombie Park and the area around Crichton Avenue shops will help the young people to achieve their Archbishop of York Youth Trust Young Leaders Award.

The award scheme aims to help equip young people to be a force for good in the local community and encourages to develop a mindset for helping others.

(more…)

The latest results for the Police mobile speed cameras have been published.

Last week saw 34 drivers stopped on the A1237 near Monks Cross.

Next highest number was 19 on Tadcaster Road in the space of half an hour one Saturday evening. Other high numbers were detected at Beckfield Lane (15), Strensall Road Huntington (11) and Stockton on Forest (10)

The monthly figures reveal that the above roads – together with York Road in Haxby – are those where drivers in York are most likely to be caught speeding.

The numbers caught speeding in York are relatively small compared to other sites in the County.

85 speeders were caught in one 4 hour period at North Stainley while 95 triggered the cameras at Calcutt over just 30 minutes.

66 offenders were logged on the A64 westbound by pass near Tadcaster in 3 hours one tea time.

A full set of stats can be found at this web site http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/10951

Below are enforcement locations for North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety cameras for week commencing Wednesday 22 May 2013.

The mobile safety cameras will be in operation at the following sites at various times during the dates stated. Cameras will not be in use all day, every day.

• Beckfield Lane Acomb York

• Church Lane Wheldrake

• Grange Farm, Wheldrake Lane, Elvington

• Greenshaw Drive Haxby

• Main Street Askham Richard

• Main Street Flaxton

• Malton Road York

• Millfield Lane Poppleton York

• Murton Way Murton York

• Skipwith Road Escrick

• Stillingfleet Mine, Escrick Road

• Strensall Road Huntington York

• Tadcaster Road Dringhouses York

• Temple Lane Copmanthorpe York

• The village Stockton-on-the-Forest York

• Towthorpe Road Haxby

• Woodhouse Farm, Escrick Road

• York Road Haxby York

• A1039 Flixton

• A1237 Monks Cross York
• (more…)

The Council will carry out resurfacing works on one of York’s major link roads from next week, as part of the Access York scheme which is creating two new Park & Ride sites in the city.

Works will start on Boroughbridge Road (A59) between Plantation Drive and Seldon Road and on Poppleton Road (also A59) between Holgate Park Drive and Acomb Road from Tuesday 28 May.

A signed diversion route will be put in place between 9.15am and 4pm. During these hours inbound traffic only will be allowed to use the A59 through the work area. Outbound traffic will be diverted via Acomb Road, Wetherby Road and the A1237 (York Outer Ring Road).

Works will only take place outside the peak traffic periods – when traffic flows are reduced.Some evening work will take place as needed to prepare the site for the following day. Drivers are advised to try and find alternative routes, if possible, for the duration of the works.

The duration of the works are as follows:

Phase 1: Holgate Park Drive to Acomb Road, four days commencing 28 May

Phase 2: Plantation Drive to Seldon Road, ten days commencing 3 June.

Travellers using Water End will be unaffected during Phase 1 of the works. During Phase 2 outbound travellers from Water End will be diverted during off peak hours when the Water End to Carr Lane section is being surfaced. Local bus routes will be maintained wherever possible.

For more information about the scheme and bus diversions please visit www.york.gov.uk/parkandride.

(more…)

Residents are invited to come along and celebrate Hob Moor becoming a local nature reserve at its annual summer fair on Saturday 25 May from 1pm-3:30pm

The moor has recently been granted the status of a local nature reserve by Natural England.

The highlight of this year’s summer fair is a stunning birds of prey demonstration where several rare and beautiful falcons, eagles and owls will be flying high above the moor and also be on show for more detailed inspection. A dog show will also be taking place with prizes for the waggiest tale and the best pooch smooch.

There will be craft tents where residents will be able to learn skills such as willow weaving, have their face painted or even have get a henna tattoo.

The Friends of Hob Moor Community group will have a stall where residents can find out more about the work that they do and help them raise funds to keep the good work up that they do. The are also running a photo competition with the theme of spring on Hob Moor and the entries will be on show at the fair where residents will be able to vote for their favourite.

The event will be at the rear of Lidl, off Thanet Road. There is limited parking so visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible.

Fulford Councillor Keith Aspden and Yorkshire & Humber MEP Rebecca Taylor have met with local residents to highlight growing concerns over Labour’s Green Bin charges.

(more…)