Three more arrests as burglary crackdown continues

Burglar photo

Two people were arrested at York railway station yesterday lunchtime (11 July 2013) by officers from British Transport Police and North Yorkshire Police.

The pair were searched and officers recovered suspected stolen property believe to be related to burglaries in Scarborough and York, along with a large amount of cash.

The man aged 40 and the woman aged 36, both of no fixed address, remain in police custody for questioning.

As a result of further enquiries, a third woman from York, aged in her twenties, was arrested today (12 July) and is currently in custody for questioning.

All three are being questioned in relation to conspiracy to commit burglary.

Crime prevention advice

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4 out of 5 west York residents oppose Labour’s 20 mph speed limit plans

Nearly 100 formal objections to the Traffic Order, which would create a wide area 20 mph speed limit in the west of York, were received by the Council. This is one of the largest ever responses to the formal advertising of a Traffic Order in the City.

A decision is due to be taken at a meeting which is being held on Friday 19th July in the Council’s West Offices starting at 4:30pm.

Had the consultation leaflet issued by the Council included a simple “yes or no” survey form then the response is likely to have been much higher.

Many residents did not receive the leaflet. The Council claimed to only have delivered 13,000 leaflets to the 20,000 homes in west York.

240 residents signed up to an Epetition opposing Labour’s plan

Public opinion polls in the area have consistently shown that over 80% of residents are opposed to the plan which will cost taxpayers over £600,000 to implement.

Accident levels after 20 mph speed limit introduced in Portsmouth and Oxford. click to enlarge

Accident levels after 20 mph speed limit introduced in Portsmouth and Oxford. click to enlarge

The Press are running their own “on line” poll on the issue click here

An officer report which will be presented to a decision meeting scheduled for Friday 19th July (4:30pm at West Offices & open to the public) raises even more concerns about the effect that the change could have on accident numbers.

In two Cities (Portsmouth and Oxford), which “pioneered” wide area 20 mph speed limits, the total number of road accidents continue to increase (see left).

The trend in York – which mirrors the national trend – has been for accident levels to fall over the last 5 years.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, the report reveals that even those residents in Bristol who identified speed as a major concern believe – after a brief honeymoon period – that the problem had actually worsened since the City introduced the 20 mph limit.

60% thought that the new limits hadn’t made roads safer.

Post 20 mph speed limit Bristol residents views click to enlarge

Post 20 mph speed limit Bristol residents views click to enlarge

There can really be no reason to press ahead with the new limits other than stubborn political dogma.

The £600,000 is desperately needed to improve safety on roads which do have high accident records. In particular, to improve enforcement of the existing 30 mph speed limit on some roads.

Residents have two final opportunities to persuade the Council to pull back from the brink.

Written representations can be emailed to the following address with a request that they be circulated at – or before – the decision meeting laura.bootland@york.gov.uk copied to cllr.dmerrett@york.gov.uk .

The representations should be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday 17th July

You can register to attend and speak at the meeting. You must register before 5:00pm on Thursday 18th July. Telephone Laura Bootland on (01904) 552062 to register

As Cllr Merrett has publicly said that he intends to press ahead with the new limits and overrule residents views, it is likely that opposition Councillors will “call in” any such decision for further consideration.

Residents demand that Councillors stop plans to build on Green Belt land

Residents prepare to lobby Councillors at last nights meeting

Residents prepare to lobby Councillors at last nights meeting

A steady stream of residents attended a Local Plan “drop in” session organised by Westfield Ward Councillors yesterday evening.

Most were opposed to plans to build on Acomb Moor and on land located between Wetherby Road and Knapton.

The latter had been scheduled for use as a “Showman’s Yard” but now the owners are understood to be seeking residential use instead.

Residents were delighted when Cllr Lynn Jeffries offered her support for their campaign.

She will hand in a petition which advocates confirming the Green Belt boundaries which were agreed by the Council in 2011.

The petition will be presented to next weeks Council meeting (18th July).

The petition reads;
“We the undersigned object to the proposals in the council’s Local Plan for the development of land lying between the existing urban area and the ring road. We wish to see this land retained in the “Green Belt” Instead we believe that the Council should concentrate any new buildings at previously developed, but now unused, sites such as Terry’s, Nestle South, British Sugar and the area behind the railway station.

We specifically object to the inclusion of part of Acomb Moor as a development site (H9) in the Council’s Local Plan. We believe that site should continue to be included in the Green Belt as it protects the rural setting of the western approach to the City and avoids the dominance that any buildings near the Great Knoll would have on the surrounding area. The Moor is an important informal recreation amenity for local residents and this should be recognised in the Local Plan”. ENDS

Festival of the Rivers

Festival_of_the_Rivers_brand

The Rivers Festival returns in July with a wide range of cultural and leisure activities to celebrate York’s rivers and – The Ouse and The Foss!

Family-friendly fun and games will be taking place on and besides York’s rivers when the River Festival starts on Saturday 13 July and flows through until Sunday 21 July.

◦Galtres Parklands Festival presents a weekend of music, merriment and mayhem with a Pirate theme in St Sampson’s Square (13-14 July)

◦Rowntree Park Birthday Party (13 July) lights up the south bank of the Ouse,

◦Dragon Boat Races on the River Ouse (14 July)

◦The annual York Canoe Race (20 July).

And if that line-up isn’t enough to float your boat, there’ll be a fishing competition, York Canoe Club have organised a Kayathlon, a Cardboard Canoe Race and ‘come and try it’ canoe sessions too.