Floods update: Council publishes timeline ahead of public meeting

The City of York has – rightly – published today its understanding of what happened and when during the critical days of the recent flooding.
Click to download
Click to download
How Boxing Day events unfolded on Twitter

How Boxing Day events unfolded on Twitter click to view

This – and hopefully other – emerging information will help to focus minds at tomorrows public meeting (Barbican 6:00pm)

The “timeline” will raise some immediate questions.

Not least will be that, according to the Council, the Environment Agency started to raise the Foss Barrier at 1830 hours on 26th (Boxing Day).

However the Severe Flood Warning – which effectively told Huntington Road area residents that their properties were about to be flooded – was not issued until 1906 hours. (There had been a flood alert issued for “Huntington” at 1652 hours)

Water had apparently been entering properties in Huntington Road from 1700 hours and boat evacuation started at 1830 hours.

I remains to be seen what emerges from tomorrows meeting.

It is important that the Council captures the views and impressions of all those involved in the flooding.

It is equally important that, those who were affected, record their questions and views in a way which prompts improvement in the way we address flood risk (and which also drives the refinement of emergency planning processes).

The best way to do this may be to have an ongoing “virtual meeting”  using internet technologies.

A good start would be a web site where residents can record their questions and where the authorities can provide robust, evidenced, answers.

NB. The Council has still not said how many applications for grants from the Flood  Disaster Fund it has received nor how many grants have actually been made and for what amounts.

 

York Central – consultation meeting dates

Have your say on York Central proposals
York central land ownership. Yellow -Network Rail, Purple - Railway Museum, Red - York Council taxpayers

York central land ownership. Yellow -Network Rail, Purple – Railway Museum, Red – York Council taxpayers

Residents and businesses are invited to have their say on the future of York’s largest brownfield site from this month.

Plans were unveiled last month by City of York Council, Network Rail and the National Railway Museum (NRM), to consult with residents and businesses on what has been labelled as the King’s Cross of the North.
Consultation will take place between Monday 18 January and Monday 15 February, via:

Drop-in sessions, at:

  • • West Offices: Station Rise, Thursday 21 January 10am – 4pm
  • • National Railway Museum: Saturday 30 January 10am – 4pm
  • • Holgate and Micklegate joint ward committee: Tuesday 19 January St Paul’s Church, Holgate Road, 6-8pm
  • • York Railway Station: Wednesday 3 February 4pm – 7pm
  • •  Public Exhibition: West Offices, Station Rise. Throughout the duration of the consultation period.

Online at: www.york.gov.uk/consultations

Printed copies of the consultation document and questionnaire are also available at West Offices, Hazel Court and all York Libraries and Explore Centres.

Over the past 12-months, the council has been working in collaboration with Network Rail, the NRM and the Homes and Communities Agency towards a high level masterplan of York Central – a 72 hectare site located in the heart of the city.

The city’s new vision could provide up to 120,000 sq m of high-quality office space, creating up to 7,000 new jobs, a new residential community for up to 2,500 new homes, with opportunities to expand and enhance the National Railway Museum, make improvements to the railway station and create a network of vibrant public squares, green spaces and routes linking to surrounding neighbourhoods.
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Stonegate’s iconic Mulberry Hall to close

Mulberry HallSad to hear reports that the iconic Mulberry Hall in Stonegate is set to close.

The business has been an important part of York’s traditional street scene for decades. It offered a unique mixture of high quality china, glassware and jewelry. In recent years it has also been a home for a household equipment section and had opened a popular coffee bar.

The owner of the shop – Michael Sinclair – is also the driving force behind the annual Christmas lights display in Stonegate and led the campaign to have a Business Improvement District established in the City Centre.

The business may have been the victim of increased internet shopping although pressure from the – higher margins/turnover – leisure sector may also have been a factor.

We will see when the future use of the building becomes clearer. A link to a relevant planning application – for change of use to a restaurant – submitted in October can be seen by clicking here

Some will also say that the last decision of the last Labour led Council, to double parking charges in the City centre, may also have been a factor.

We hope that the Mulberry Hall business will re-establish itself elsewhere – it already has a major internet presence – and that the Stonegate building will not remain empty for very long.

 

What’s on: Walks from Acomb Explore

City walks

Date: Fri 15 and Fri 22 Jan
Time: 10.30am (15 Jan) 60 mins.
Time: 11am (22 Jan) 90 mins
Meeting Place: Acomb Explore Library
Cost: Free

  • Snickelways Walk January 2016Fri 15 Jan: Explore Acomb walk from Acomb Explore: 10.30am
  • Fri 22 Jan: Explore Acomb walk from Acomb Explore: 11.00am
  • Sun 31 Jan: Snickleways walk from York Explore: 11.15am

For those travelling to or within York journey planner information is available at: www.itravelyork.info

Additional information:

No booking required, but may be worth checking in advance that these are still able to go ahead. Please wear clothing and footwear suited to the weather on the day.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk starts to introduce yourself to the walk leader.

Bring a drink and/or packed lunch if required. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.  Please check bus times prior to departure and arrive 15 minutes before the walk start time. Route incorporates wheelchair and pushchair friendly options.

Contact information: Gillian Chefrad, Active Living Officer.
Public Health Team, City of York Council,
West Offices, Station Rise, YORK  YO1 6GA

T:  01904 553377 
E:  gillian.chefrad@york.gov.uk
W: www.york.gov.uk/healthwalks