We have reported today paths in two locations which are impeded by overgrown hedges.
More problems with overgrown hedges
Authorities concerned about welfare of teenagers
It appears that two teenagers were overcome with fatigue earlier today.
After polishing off a snack on the bench in Foxwood Park they were overcome with exhaustion. This meant that they were unable to deposit their litter in a bin which was only 2 metres away.
Police are looking for two youngsters with no arms and only minimal use of their legs.
A passerby later cleared the rubbish.
Coronavirus York updates; 30th July 2020
Deaths and test results
There have been no further hospital deaths or positive test results recorded in York today.
The 7 day moving average of positive test results has been fairly steady for several weeks now.
Government web site
The figures for testing haven’t been updated on the government web site yet click. The site is in any event due to be discontinued on Monday.
A new website is promised click.
It is clear that the government does hold information on matters of local interest such as the number of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. It also knows what percentage of local tests have been positive. Whether it will make this information available remains to be seen.
Bishopthorpe Road to reopen to traffic
The York Council has issued a media release indicating that the controversial Bishopthorpe Road lane closure will end on 4th August.
However no formal notification of any meeting being held, to endorse the change, has appeared on the Councils register of decisions.
No notice of any decision meeting was published by the Council.
The original decision to close one lane appeared to be based on a whim. It sprang from a request by a Micklegate ward Labour Councillor (Kilbane) but was quickly adopted by the Councils transport executive Councillor (Andy D’Agorne). There was no public consultation before implementation.
The reversal of the decision fails to acknowledge the harm and resentment felt by significant sections of the community about the ill judged scheme.
The scheme has been compared to the closure of Lendal Bridge where a intransigent Council persisted with a failed experiment for nearly two years before admitting defeat. It put the cause of traffic reduction back by 10 years. We hope that the iconic “Bishy Road” shopping area doesn’t suffer a similar setback.
The main criticisms of the scheme were that, contrary to claims, it did little to assist with social distancing. Indeed in places, bollards actually increased pedestrian congestion.
Cyclists were put at risk when using the contraflow cycle lane while those living in the St Benedict Road area had to cope with increased short cutting and consequent higher pollution levels.
Against expectations, in June the scheme was extended for another 2 months
Even many who acknowledged that traffic reduction was desirable, pointed out that an (off peak) foot street option might have won greater public support.
We said, right from the beginning, that diverting traffic onto Nunnery Lane and Blossom Street, when the latter was partly closed for utility works, was completely half baked.
So it proved.
It seems that gas works will return on the Blossom Street area shortly.
That, coupled with other road closures in the city, really would have caused traffic chaos at a time when the economy is slowly getting back onto its feet.
The Councils change of heart is welcome, albeit belated. We next hope to see changes to remove some of the unnecessary restrictions on space use in the Marygate car park and on the Monk Bar car park.
