Several months ago the playground – owned by the Rowntree Housing Trust – located on Teal Drive was closed.
Locked gates at the playground on Teal Drive
Problems has arisen when vandals damaged part of the children’s slide.
Understandably repairs had to be completed before access was reinstated.
..But the gates have remained locked.
It would be a great shame if the authorities cannot ensure this facility is available at least during the day at weekends and during the summer holidays.
One possible solution would be to put together a volunteer team of key holders who could secure the park at night and reopen it in the morning.
Residents were promised that new cycle barriers would be provided on the cycle route which links Thanet Road and Sherringham Drive.
“Lego” barriers on cycle path near Sherringham Drive.
The old barriers were removed following damage last year. A temporary replacement (aimed at halting misuse by motorcyclists) was provided in the form of building blocks.
Over 6 months later and they are still there with no communication form the Council about what progress is being made in providing a permanent solution.
Poor customer service from the City of York Council.
There may be some new hope that cyclists will get a better deal from the new administration which is taking over at West Offices this week.
Both the LibDems and the Green Party promised better road surfaces in the City.
Potholes represent a particular hazard for cyclists.
There is talk of an emergency budget in June which would present an opportunity to rejig transport priorities.
We hope so.
In the slightly longer term, the Council needs to take a fresh look at its off road cycle network.
One notorious section in Acomb comes to a dead end in the middle of Front Street with no one apparently able to decide how to safely continue the route towards the Askham Lane and Foxwood areas.
In other areas stop gap measures, introduced 20 years ago, are still in place. These include the makeshift metal channels which were installed on the approaches to several railway bridges. They are supposed to make it easier for cyclists to push their machines up steep access stairways.
Bridge over Holgate sidings. Cycle access from Barbara Grove is steep. There is scope to construct a much gentler gradient.
In reality, it is often easier to carry the bike or – more likely – just take a longer and possibly more hazardous route using the ordinary road network
