Safety improvements planned for University Road in Heslington

The York Council is considering installing a new pedestrian crossing on University Road in Heslington.

The have been four injury accidents on the road in recent years.

The scheme could cost £70,000 and also involves introducing a 20 mph speed limit.

The Council has so far not revealed why this area is apparently being omitted from its wide area speed limit plan for the eats of York.

The University is also going to invest around £150,000 in off carriageway works some of which may encourage students to use a footbridge to cross the road.

Details of the plan can be found by clicking here

 

Click for detail

Click for detail

Lib Dems force windows U-Turn at Gale Farm Court

Gale Farm Court sheltered accommodation

Gale Farm Court sheltered accommodation

Residents at a sheltered housing scheme in Acomb will see old windows replaced after a Liberal Democrat campaign led to a U-turn from Labour run City of York Council.

Gale Farm Court, on Front Street in Acomb, looked set to miss out on the drafty window replacement programme – which was orginally brought in by the Liberal Democrats in February 2011. When Labour took power in May 2011 they continued the scheme, but in June 2013 it was confirmed by council officers that Gale Fram Court would not be included and any upgrades there would be a “wasting money”.

However, after complaints from residents and a campign from Lib Dem Westfield Councillor Lynn Jeffries, council staff have confirmed that work could start to install replacement windows at the site as early as this summer.

Cllr Jeffries commented:

“I am delighted that sheltered housing tenants at Gale Farm Court will now get the replacement windows. Many of the exisitng windows are in a poor state – letting in too much noise, cold and wet and letting out too much heat. I even know residents who have had slugs coming into their flat as a result of the old windows.

“Given this it was hugely disappointing that Gale Farm Court was not on the programme for window replacements last year. However, I have repeatedly raised the issue with council officers and at public meetings and I am pleased to see that action is going to be taken hopefully as early as this summer. Residents at Gale Farm should certainly not be expected to endure another winter with the existing windows.”

NB The February 2011 Lib Dem budget included £700,000 for investment in insulation and replacement of draughty windows in council owned properties. The programme aimed to ensure that residents benefited from warmer homes and lower fuel bills.

More information on the scheme can be found here: http://www.york.gov.uk/info/200486/council_tenant_repairs_and_modernisation/1075/major_improvements_and_maintenance/8

Walking with Richard III

City of York Council’s Archaeologist will be leading a series of walks retracing Richard III’s steps around York, this Spring.

Richard III head

Richard III head

The walking tours are open to the public, and have been devised by John Oxley FSA in response to public interest in the identification of the monarch’s remains and as part of the collaborative Richard III: Rumour and Reality project.

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York school children urged to ‘Expect Respect’

City of York Council is supporting Women’s Aid’s work to prevent domestic and sexual violence by sharing the educational toolkit “Expect Respect” with all schools in the city.

“Expect Respect” is an online educational toolkit that includes one hour lesson plans for each year of school from reception to year 13, guidance on the links between the learning outcomes within the lesson plans and to the relevant parts of the Early Years and National Curriculum.  The toolkit also provides supporting information and resources for teachers, access to online interactive activities and an online support service giving teachers advice and guidance about the delivery of the lesson plans.

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York’s first social care hub welcomes first tenants

York’s first voluntary and community social care hub has welcomed its first tenants.

York Blind and Partially Sighted Society and The Resource Centre for Deaf People have already moved into the new facility in Rougier House, which they will share with other voluntary and community organisations, together with York Learning, the city’s adult and community education service.

The new social care hub will play a key role in supporting voluntary and community organisations to complement health and social care services across the city and improve the lives of vulnerable residents.

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Win a chance to Experience the Race in York!

City of York Council is giving cycling fans across the globe the chance to experience Stage 2 of the 2014 Le Grand Depart in style if they win a once in a lifetime prize worth £400.

The lucky winner will receive a two night luxury glamping experience for two people, two tickets to the start at York Racecourse, a selection of Experience the Race merchandise and £50 to spend in York Designer Outlet.

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Bounce back into sport this Spring

Tennis and golf balls are set to fly this Spring as York residents are invited to take to the courts and courses with new sessions organised by City of York Council.

The council-owned tennis courts at Hull Road Park and Pike Hills Golf Course are the latest venues to hold sessions aimed at adults who are beginners to the sport or who may want to refresh their skills. This is the first time that these courses, starting in March, have taken place at these venues.

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