Police say increase in high drink drive readings is worrying

The crack down on drink and drug driving continues with North Yorkshire Police planning a number of targeted operations over the coming weeks.

540 breath tests have been conducted with 61 arrests having been made so far.

Of particular concern from the arrests already made are the high levels of alcohol being detected.

Alarmingly 20% of those arrests have provided samples three times over the legal limit (35 micrograms per 100ml). During the same campaign last year only 6% of arrests provided readings of this level.

The highest reading taken so far was from a 58-year-old man arrested in the Malton area, who blew 139ug – just under four times the legal limit. He was later charged to Scarborough Magistrates’ Court and received a driving ban for 34 months and was ordered to pay £295 costs and carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

A 42-year-old man who appeared at York Magistrates’ Court with a reading of 123ug/100ml received a 12 week suspended prison sentence, along with a 36 month ban and £315 costs to pay.

Four further cases have appeared in court this week; all received driving bans and hefty fines.

New road side drug screening devices are also helping North Yorkshire Police catch those driving under the influence of drugs. 13 arrests have been made so far due to positive drugs tests with three positive results for cannabis.

Sgt Andy Morton of the Roads Policing Group said “These prosecutions show that if people choose to break the law and drive under the influence of drink or drugs – we are out in force and waiting to catch you. Be assured, when we do, you will face a hefty fine and the possibility of a prison sentence.”

“If you are going out to have a drink ensure you have thought about how you will get home at the end of the night – leave your car at home.”

“We continue to appeal to members of the public that if they know of someone driving under the influence of drink or drugs – please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Leadership candidate in Foxwood

The front runner to become the next Leader of the Liberal Democrats spoke to party members at a private meeting held in Foxwood this afternoon.

Tim Farron became the first of the two contenders, to take over from Nick Clegg, to speak in the area.

He was welcomed to Westfield by local Councillor Andrew Waller.

The second contender in the Leadership race is Norman Lamb

All party members have a vote in the contest. Ballot papers are being sent out later in the month and they have to be returned by 15^th July.

The result will be declared the following day.

Andrew Waller welcomes Tim Farron to the Foxwood Community Centre

Tim Farron addresses party members

Over 150 new members have joined the Liberal Democrats in York since the General Election.

Nationally the Party now has over 61,000 members and is growing every day.

Changes to Askham Bryan College proposed

Two planning applications at the Askham Bryan agricultural college are to be considered next week.

The first involves the provision of a silage clamp. The clamp will be located on the brow off a hill and is in the Green Belt. However planning permission has previously been given for extensions to the college which would have a similar impact

Silage plan click to view

The second planning application is for an extension to the dairy unit. The proposed extension would be 53.75 metres by 13.5 metres creating a shed with a total measurement of 78.15 metres by 13.5 metres

Diary extension click to view

Both applications are recommended for approval subject to a referral to the Secretary of State.

Council to support students and charity during end of term rubbish clear up

As part of this year’s campaign for a tidy end to the academic year, City of York Council is working with British Heart Foundation (BHF) to back its fundraising, and support students to recycle and dispose of waste responsibly.

In this, the third year of the campaign, the council will be making extra collections of grey bins or bags – whichever are usually collected – on Saturday 27 June in The Groves, Hull Road and Fishergate areas. Students leaving their accommodation for the summer and residents will both feel the benefit and are being urged to make the most of this opportunity.

Besides putting out their waste, local people and students will be encouraged to donate to BHF items suitable for sale, at 10 permanent clothing banks at key drop off points located across the city and university campuses.

These will be collected by the charity and sold as part of its Fight For Every Heartbeat campaign.

Information leaflets and maps of BHF collection bin locations and BHF collection bags will shortly be distributed to households in the three areas.

Last year 1,899 bags were collected through BHF’s special collection bins. Each had an average weight of 8.2 kilos, yielding a total 15.6 tonnes of donations which, using BHF’s estimate that each bag has a £20 value, £37,980 was raised for the British Heart Foundation by York residents and students.
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Library events on Saturday and next Tuesday

Road works on Water End on 27th June and 11th July

Bridge maintenance works have been scheduled at Severus Bridge (owned by City of York Council) which carries Water End over the railway.

The works are scheduled for the Saturday evenings of 27 June and 11 July beginning at 1930hrs until the early hours of the morning.

The works will involve investigation and repairs to the bridge supporting pier and road surface. Further future works may result from these inspections.

Road traffic will be restricted to single lane working by traffic lights on the 27June for the inspection. Depending on the outcome of the investigations the road may need to be closed for any repairs on 11 July. A separate road closure notice will be issued for this restriction if required.

Works on the bridge supporting pier are being undertaken in co-operation with Network Rail under a limited track possession to allow access.