Local company Optare are to provide the electric buses for York announced by the Coalition Government on Monday.

The buses are understood to be a larger version of those used in “Poundbury” in Dorset – the inspiration for the new Derwenthorpe village in York.

The 11 metre Versa EVs have a seating capacity of 34, which with standees results in a total carrying capacity of over 50.

De Courcey Travel are using the Versa EVs on the well patronised 400 vehicle Coventry South Park and Ride scheme with journeys into the city centre at 12 minute intervals at peak times.

The buses have a range of up to 100 miles. Fast charging points can recharge the batteries in around 2 hours.

The buses cost over £200,000 each. The government pays up to 50% of the cost of each.

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council. Full details can be found by clicking by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Westfield Ref No: 13/01270/FUL Location: 63 Acomb Wood Drive York YO24 3XN Proposal: Single storey rear extension Applicant: Mr Evan Moss Contact Mr G Holland Consultation Expiry Date 18 June 2013 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

The Foxwood Residents Association have launched a campaign aimed at getting owners to clean up after their pets.

See their web site for more details https://www.facebook.com/FoxwoodResidentsAssociation

Meanwhile a firm based in Wales have announced a more innovative approach to the problem! http://www.streetkleen.co.uk/new-streetkleen-bio.html

Local voluntary groups are being invited to bid for ward grants to help fund projects that will improve local communities and the lives of York residents. Each Residents’ Forum (previously called Ward Committee) has a budget from which grants can be given to not-for-profit groups who meet certain criteria.

The amount of money available to fund neighbourhood initiatives like these has been slashed to only 10% of the figure made available when the Liberal Democrats led the Council.

The Councils approach has been criticised as large parts of the City have no neighbourhood based voluntary Groups operating.

Even those with residents associations struggled to find suitable projects while traditionally popular programmes (such a improved parking facilities and salt bin refilling) were abandoned.
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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. The locations were accurate when this news release was produced.

• A1237 Monks Cross York

• Beckfield Lane Acomb York

• Malton Road York

• Millfield lane Poppleton York

• Murton Way Murton York

• Strensall Road Huntington York

• Tadcaster Road Dringhouses York

• Temple Lane Copmanthorpe York

• The village Stockton-on-the-Forest York

• Towthorpe Road Haxby

• York Road Haxby York

• B1228 Dunnington Lodge Elvington

• A64 east-bound Tadcaster by-pass
• A64 west-bound Tadcaster by-pass
• A64 west-bound Malton by-pass
• A64 east-bound Malton by-pass
• A64 west-bound Whitwell Hill
• A64 east-bound Barton Hill Cross Roads
• A64 Seamer by-pass
• A64 Seamer Road Scarborough
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