10 week highway scheme – A19 Shipton Road, Skelton

City of York Council will be carrying out highways works on the A19 Shipton Road at Skelton from Tuesday 7 May until mid July.

The works are a requirement of the planning consent associated with the adjacent Barratt/David Wilson Homes development of the former Del Monte site. The works are funded by the developer through a Section 106 agreement – a requirement of the planning consent.

The 10 week scheme includes:

alterations to the road layout to remove the acceleration and deceleration lanes (filter lanes) to and from the Fairfields Drive junction and to create a suitable access into the former Del Monte site
provision of a grassed central reservation area
creation of vehicular crossovers though the central reservation at the Fairfields Drive junction and the new Barratt development access
provision of uncontrolled pedestrian crossings within the central reservation
amendments to bus stops and
reduction of the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph.

Work will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption and to maintain access into Fairfields Drive and thereon into the village throughout the main works.

The main construction work is expected to take eight weeks, with subsequent road surfacing planned for a further two weeks.

Week 1 – Temporary traffic lights will be installed (9am to 4pm) at the junction with Fairfields Drive to undertake activities such as removal of existing traffic islands. Access in to / out of Fairfields Drive will be maintained but will be managed to ensure priority is given to keeping traffic flow on the A19 and to minimise queuing.

Weeks 2–8 inclusive – The A19 will operate with narrow lanes during the main construction works, thereby maintaining the continual flow of traffic. Fairfields Drive will remain open but traffic signals may be used to control traffic for specific works at the junction.

Weeks 9 and 10 (overnight) – Resurfacing of A19 and junctions. Traffic flows along the A19 will be maintained using single lane working controlled by temporary traffic signals. Fairfields Drive will be closed during this work.

Work during weeks 1-8 will be undertaken between the hours of 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Night working hours will be 8pm – 6am, Monday to Friday during weeks 9 and 10.

Bus services will be maintained throughout the works, although temporary bus stops will be provided on the A19.

It is intended to reduce the speed limit on the A19 to 30mph as a temporary safety measure during the works.

As with any highways scheme, there is likely to be some inconvenience at times during the works. Everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum. Motorists should expect delays during the works and are advised to plan their journeys accordingly. For travel information in and around York, visit www.itravelyork.info.

The works will be carried out by the council, who will be responsible for public safety and maintaining access. For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/a19skelton

Six men ordered to pay £2000 for urinating in public in York

York Magistrates have sentenced six men to pay £1,983 for urinating in public following work between City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city.

On Tuesday 24 April 2019, York Magistrates heard that Andrew Brearley (aged 47 of Wistow Road, Selby) was found by a police officer, urinating near the entrance to the car park on Tanner Row, York, around 9pm on Saturday 2 February 2019.

Mr Brearley, who apologised for his actions following the incident, pleaded guilty by post and was fined £117, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a prosecution surcharge of £30.

Patrick John McHugh (aged 30 of Carr Lane, York) was seen by a police officer, urinating against a wall in full view of passing people near Toft Green towards Micklegate, York around 3:30am on Saturday 26 January 2019.

Mr McHugh pleaded guilty by post and was fined £117, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a prosecution surcharge of £30.

York Magistrates (on 23 April 2019) also heard that George James McCormick (aged 18 of Mill Lane, Basted, Sevenoaks) was found by a police officer, urinating against a gate in Toft Green, York at 12:15am on Friday 18 January 2019.

Mr McCormick continued to urinate despite being approached by an officer. He failed to attend court or submit a plea and was found guilty in his absence. Mr McCormick was fined £220, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a prosecution surcharge of £30.

Paul Raymond Baldwin (aged 33 of Temple Street, Gateshead) was found by a York BID Ranger, urinating in the doorway of a sweet shop on Low Ousegate, York at 7:45pm on Saturday 2 February 2019.

Mr Baldwin, who was visibly intoxicated, pleaded guilty by post and was fined £131, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a prosecution surcharge of £30.

Emlyn Thomas (aged 37 of Sutton Way, Clifton, York) was also seen by a York BID Ranger urinating against a wall in York city centre at 11:25am on Wednesday 13 February 2019, in view of passing people.

Mr Thomas failed to attend court or submit a plea and was found guilty in his absence. He was fined £60 based on a benefits assessment, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a prosecution surcharge of £30.

Yesterday (23 April 2019), York Magistrates also heard that Peter Edward Stableford (aged 50 of Holyrood Drive, Rawcliffe, York) was found by a police officer, urinating at the entrance of the car park in Toft Green at 11:35pm on Friday 1 February 2019.

Mr Stableford pleaded guilty by post and was fined £294, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a prosecution surcharge of £30

Traffic signals to be upgraded at Monks Cross junction

New traffic signals will be installed at the pedestrian crossing/road junction in Monks Cross this month, ahead of the new York Stadium and Leisure Complex opening later this year.

Outdated traffic signals at the junction of Kathryn Avenue and Jockey Lane at Monks Cross are set to be replaced by City of York Council.

Works will start on Monday 29 April and are estimated to take around four weeks to complete. The hours of working will be 7.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays.

The new technology being installed will help to ease congestion in the area and enable the new systems to link direct to the council’s Traffic and Control Centre, so that Network Monitoring Officers can manage the flow of traffic better in busy periods.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption. Residents are assured that everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum.

During the works it is anticipated that all bus services will operate as normal, however there will be delays when travelling through the junction.

Temporary crossing points will be available at all times during the works to ensure that all pedestrian crossings that are currently available are maintained. Traffic marshals will be on site between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week to assist with pedestrians crossing the road.

Residents are urged to plan ahead, allow more time for journeys on these routes and to consider alternatives and to use public transport where possible.

Bus services will be operating as normal for the majority of the works but passengers are requested to visit www.itravelyork.info/ for more information.

For information regarding the scheme during the works visit: www.york.gov.uk/KathrynAve

So who will win the York Council elections?

Clifton & Copmanthorpe reviewed

Clifton is home to 10,007 residents. Average incomes are lower than the City average. 51% of residents own their home. 744 people are Council tenants. 1.7% are out of work. Crime levels are above average. 85.7% of residents are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (York average 86.8%). 31.6% believe that they can influence decisions in their local area (City average 25.7). Source

Elections

The 2015 elections were held on the same day as a General Election. Hence the turnout was almost double the number usually voting at a Council poll. Voting patterns did not mirror the General Election result particularly in the York Central Constituency where Labour had a big parliamentary vote but, following a poor performance when in control of the Council, found ballot box support collapsing. A reduced turnout is expected on 2^nd May.

Labour have won the Clifton ward for a number of elections. It is as long ago as the 1980s that the Tories last seriously challenged in the area.

In 2015 two former Labour Councillors (David Scott and Ken King) stood in the ward as Independents. They had quit the Labour group in response to a number of calamitous decisions taken by the then party leadership. There was a considerable fall in Labour support although they held on to both seats. Neither of the former Councillors are standing this time.

Both the current Labour Councillors work for MP Rachel Maskell. One chooses not say if she lives in the area.

None of the opposition parties have established themselves as the natural alternative to Labour so it looks like there will be no change.

Prediction

2 Labour seats

Copmanthorpe

The Copmanthorpe ward is home to 4115 residents. It was split from the Rural West Ward as recently as 2015. Average incomes are higher than the City average. 87% of residents own their home. 1.4% are out of work. Crime levels are below average. 92.8% of residents are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (York average 86.8%). 28.6% believe that they can influence decisions in their local area (City average 25.7). Source

Elections

The 2015 elections were held on the same day as a General Election. Hence the turnout was almost double the number usually voting at a Council election. Voting patterns did not mirror the General Election result but, following a poor performance when in control of the Council, Labour found ballot box support collapsing. A lower turnout is expected on 2^nd May.

This is another seat where a former Tory Councillor is standing as an Independent. David Carr was actually the Leader of the Council when, following an ill judged attempt to smear two of his LibDem coalition partners with what turned out to be bogus allegations, he was forced by his colleagues to quit.

As a well known Parish Councillor David Carr may fancy his chances of success.

He is opposed by a Tory who has been “parachuted” into the area from another part of York.

The LibDems have a well known local candidate (Richard Brown) who came second in 2015. It is unclear how effective Richard Browns campaign has been but if the Tory vote splits then he might be the beneficiary.

Another former Councillor, the Green party’s Lars Kramm who currently sits for Micklegate, is also contesting the election. He has recently moved into Copmanthorpe Ward..

This is a difficult result t to predict but if the expected Tory vote meltdown occurs then the LibDems could be the winners

Prediction

1 LibDem seat

Who will win the York Council Elections?

Acomb and Bishopthorpe reviewed

9269 people live in the Acomb Ward. 73% own their own home. 15% are social renters with 393 occupying Council houses. 1.9% claim out of work benefits. Life expectancy is about average for the City. Crime levels are below the City average. 84.2% of residents are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (York average 86.8%). 16.7% believe that they can influence decisions in their local area (City average 25.7). Source

Elections

The 2015 elections were held on the same day as a General Election. Hence the turnout was almost double the number usually voting at a Local Election. Voting patterns did not mirror the General Election result particularly in the York Central Constituency where Labour had a big parliamentary vote but, following a poor performance in control of the Council, found ballot box support collapsing. A smaller turnout is expected on 2^nd May.

Acomb was a safe Labour seat for many years. In 2015 their support plummeted, and one of the two seats went to a popular local Tory (Keith Myers) Long term Councillor Tracy Simpson Laing lost her seat and she was replaced by Strensall based Stuart Barnes. The other parties performed poorly and are likely to be squeezed in what is the only genuine Labour/Tory marginal in the City.

Former Labour Councillor Brian Watson is standing as an Independent. He was de-selected by Labour in 2015 after representing the Guildhall Ward for many years. Now he is trying his luck in the ward in which he lives. A moderate socialist, he may take votes from the hard-left backed Labour ticket. Whether he can regain a seat will, as with all Independents, depend on how many leaflets he can deliver.

The election has generated extra interest because returning Tory Councillor Keith Myers is next in line to by York’s Lord Mayor. He will take office at the end of May if he can retain his seat. Not since Peter Gales, a Labour Councillor also for the Acomb Ward, failed in a bid for re-election in 1975 has the destination of the Lord Mayoralty been so unpredictable.

Both the existing Councillors have reasonable local reputations. If national concerns are foremost in electors’ minds then the Tories could lose their seat. However, a majority may opt to back experience.

Prediction

1 Labour seat

1 Conservative seat

Bishopthorpe

Bishopthorpe is one of the smaller wards in York with 4147 residents. Average incomes are higher than the City average. 88% of residents own their home. 1.9% are out of work. Crime levels are amongst the lowest in the City. 94.1% of residents are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (York average 86.8%). 29.4% believe that they can influence decisions in their local area (City average 25.7). Source

Elections

The 2015 elections were held on the same day as a General Election. Hence the turnout was almost double the number usually voting at a Council election. Voting patterns did not mirror the General Election result but, following a poor performance in control of the Council, Labour found ballot box support collapsing. A smaller turnout is expected on 2^nd May.

Bishopthorpe has been a safe Conservative seat for over a decade. The only interruption to their tenure came in 2003 when it was won by the LibDems. Since then the LibDem support has dropped away and was only 6% at the last election. The ward is the first to be reviewed where a retiring Tory Councillor is seeking re-election as an Independent. John Galvin was de-selected by the Tories last year ostensibly on the grounds that he was too old. He will not have been pleased to note that another octogenarian was subsequently selected by the Tories to contest a nearby ward. The real reason for the change of candidate had more to do with John Galvin’s uncompromising style on the Council.

The Tories have selected a relative unknown to contest the election.

Carole Greene, having previously contested the seat as both a LibDem and later as an Independent, is now trying as a Green party candidate.

John Galvin was an archetypical Tory having worked for the party for many years. His abrasive style doesn’t enamour him to everyone and there will be those in the village who may be looking for a change of approach. However, at a time when the Conservative party is in turmoil both locally and nationally, it may well be a good time to be seeking election as an Independent. It certainly looks like experience will be very limited on the new Council, so the return of some seasoned campaigners may be in the City’s best interests

Prediction

1 Independent seat