Resurfacing works on Hawthorn Grove and Mill Lane in Heworth

City of York Council will carry out resurfacing works on Hawthorn Grove and Mill Lane between Monday 16 and Friday 27 September.

The works on Hawthorne Grove will take place between Monday 16 to Friday 20 September, between 7.30pm and 5am.

This will require a road closure from, and including, the mini-roundabout at Harcourt Street up to, but not including, the Eboracum Way junction. Mill Lane will also be closed but residents’ access will be maintained via Heworth Green.

The works on Mill Lane will be carried out between Monday 23 and Friday 27 September between 8am and 5pm. There will be a road closure from Heworth Green up to, but not including, the mini-roundabout at Harcourt Street.

The works will consist of resurfacing the road and the reinstatement of all road markings. In order to carry out these works safely the use of temporary road closures will be necessary whilst works are taking place. A clearly signed diversion route will be set out for all traffic.

All on street parking will be suspended at these times but any specific access requirements may be arranged by speaking to the site traffic management operativesm who will co-ordinate with residents and business requirements around ongoing construction operations.

Any vehicle remaining on the street during the suspension time may be liable to a parking fine and removal costs.

Household waste and recycling collections will take place as normal. For Mill Lane, residents are asked to ensure bins are placed on the kerbside by 7am on the day of collection.

During the closure of Hawthorn Grove, bus service 6 will be diverted via Eboracum Way, Heworth Green, Heworth Road, and Melrosegate (not serving Fifth Ave or Fourth Ave). Coastliner will be diverted via Eboracum Way, Heworth Green (not serving East Parade or Heworth Road).

In addition to the above, the council will be carrying out kerbing and drainage works between Monday 9 and 13 September on Hawthorn Grove working 9.15am – 4pm and also on Mill Lane on Monday 16 to Saturday 21 September working 9.15am – 4pm.

During these works the road will be open as normal to travel through, but all on street parking will need to be suspended during these times.

Emergency services will be permitted through the works at all times. Cyclists will have to dismount and use the footways.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to the public, however the council will try at all times to keep any disruption to a minimum.

For more information about roadworks in York visit: www.york.gov.uk/roadworks

Blitz on weeds starts in York

We are told that a new round of weed spraying has started.

The Council will also send an “in house” team out to deal with problem locations such as traffic islands.

The news comes after 3 months of complaints. Many parts of the city had become overgrown.

Earlier this week an official admitted that several key entrance roads into the City – including the A59 – had been omitted from the contract specification

The councils spaying contractor is understood to have taken on new staff in an attempt to improve quality standards.

The weeds should start to die back after a few days. Councillors are being asked to report any areas which might be missed. Residents should therefore highlight issues to their local representative.

In the mean time we have reported several new problem locations

Blocked gully in Queenswood Grove
Chesney Field snicket choked with cans and weeds. Vegetation needs cutting back
Weed growth and poor sweeping in St Pauls Square
Weeds overwhelming Baildon Close
Weeds in Otterwood Lane and nearby snicket
Tithe Close snicket needs a good clean
Several back lanes in the Milner Street/Severus Street area are obstructed by overgrown hedges

Plan to grit 11 miles of York’s cycle network

New off road vehicles are set to be used to grit 11miles (18km) of York’s cycle network this winter.

If successful, the pilot could be extended across the city to help keep cyclists safer in winter conditions.

A report detailing the pilot will be taken to a public meeting on Thursday 19 September, for approval to start during the winter season between November and March.

The pilot includes using two different vehicles to grit 11miles (18km) of cycle network, using small all-terrain vehicles including a quad bike and a gator type machine.

The trial is welcome but rather distracts attention from other more pressing issues facing cyclists.

Many cycle paths in the City are obstructed

Many cycle paths are currently obstructed by overhanging hedge and tree branches. Unchecked weed growth has also reduced path widths as has the failure of the Council to systematically “edge” verges.

Perhaps the most pressing issue though is potholes. These affect some cycle lanes and many inner sections of carriageways – the surfaces most used by cyclists.

It is now 10 years since the last major programme of cycle margin maintenance works took place in the City.

The Council says that, “Popular cycle routes have been chosen for the de-icing trial, including the new Scarborough Bridge and other off road bridges too.

The introduction of the new smaller vehicles will ensure the networks are effectively gritted.  Off road cycle networks are often difficult to grit or salt because cycles don’t have the same weight or action as a vehicle tyre. Effective gritting works by vehicles driving over the grit with their tyres which beds the grit into the snow and ice.

Whilst cars or heavy vehicles generally follow the same tyre path. Cycle tyres are much thinner and therefore these typical treatments are less effective.

For the pilot, the council will hire the vehicles and if, following the pilot, the council decides to roll this scheme out across York, it will look to purchase new vehicles to the council’s fleet.

The cost of the pilot is estimated to be £42k. This will be met by the current winter maintenance budget which is £401k.

By its nature the winter maintenance budget is not predictable, in 2018/19 there was an underspend of £61k. Should this not occur in 2019/20 there is a winter maintenance contingency available of £258k, in addition to the annual budget, which could be utilised.

This pilot will not formally be part of the council’s Winter Service Plan, but will run alongside this a pilot.  After the winter the pilot will be assessed and considered for formally incorporating into the Winter Service Plan”.

Preparing for the winter season:

The council has stockpiled 3,000 tonnes of grit, which is stored in its grit barn at Hazel Court depot.

On average, crews spread around 4,500 tonnes of grit per season, over 75 road treatments (gritter runs).

Each season, crews treat eight routes across the highway, covering 365km of York’s road network, including 22km of priority footpaths and, when recourses allow, 58km of cycle network.

The decision session takes place on Thursday 19 September at West Offices from 2pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

A copy of the report can be read by clicking here

What’s on in York: There’s a Troll on my Toilet

Acomb Explore Library

September 14 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

 Free

Join in as award-winning TV correspondent and local author Catherine Jacob reads her super fun, spooky picture book and gets us to turn into characters in her story.

Suitable for children aged 4-8

Free, but places are limited. Book in person at your local library