Coronavirus York updates; 5th November 2020

Deaths and test results

3 (THREE) additional deaths announced today at the York Hospital Trust. Two occurred on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.

59 (FIFTY NINE) new positive test results announced today. Cumulative total now 3984.

Downward trend in new cases has continued but rate of reduction is slowing.

York is now below North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and England infection rates.

The latest testing figures suggest that around 800 tests are being carried out each day in the City. Less than 20% are proving to be positive and the proportion of positives is gradually falling

City centre quiet as lockdown starts

As expected most of the City was noticeably quieter today. However there were more people around than had been the case in April. Schools remained open, public transport was running and more shops were also trading. In the City centre Marks and Spencer had a steady stream of customers.

Things were closer to normal on some suburban shopping streets where the most significant sign of the new restrictions was that hairdressers and charity shops had remained closed.

Several food shops open in Acomb Front Street.
High Ousegate quieter than normal (!)
Short Que at Marks and Spencer where the Big Issue seller had made an effort to stir Christmas spirit.
The level of the River Ouse is slowly receding

Latest from York Council

Following guidance from the Government we can confirm that the following council services and facilities will still be available to residents: public toilets, parks and children’s play areas and household waste and recycling sites will remain open

Public meetings will continue remotely with residents encouraged to take part children’s and adults services will continue with further guidance expected

York, Tang Hall and Acomb libraries will remain open for people to go into to use the public computers and to collect items ordered online. All others will close.

There will be some services which are impacted by the new regulations, including: foot streets restrictions will revert to finishing at 5pm rather than 8pm and the temporary loading bans will be removed. This is to ensure additional help for local businesses moving to delivery services

Wedding services will not be going ahead during lockdown outdoor and indoor gyms, sports facilities and swimming pools will be closed
the Mansion House will be closed

We will be holding our next Facebook live on Wednesday 11 November, from 5:30 – 6:30pm, with a focus on emotional health and education. You can submit your questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk.
Getting the help you need
These will be difficult times for many of us. If you are struggling, please talk to someone. Our helpline is still running to provide support, whether that be collecting food and medicines, or giving advice. The helpline is available on 01904 551550 or by emailing
COVID19help@york.gov.uk, where our volunteers and staff will be able to help you.
Getting exercise, ideally in the fresh air, can make a real difference to your physical and emotional health and will help make the next month more bearable. Remember, you can also meet one person from another household for outdoor exercise which is vital if you live on your own.
The Every Mind Matters campaign has lots of helpful tips for everyone to look after their emotional health. You can find their website at: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters.
Live Well York have directions on how to access a range of free support and services. You can find directories of help and advice on their website at: https://www.livewellyork.co.uk/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=2251&lockLA=True
As a city we always look after each other and this has been demonstrated time and time again this year.
Anyone needing help, be it food or medicine collections or someone to talk to our helpline is there to help you. Call 01904 551550 or email COVID19help@york.gov.uk to ask for help. For information on what financial support may be available visit www.york.gov.uk/COVIDfinancialsupport. This includes details of the £500 self-isolation payment which you may be eligible. You can find out more at: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/09/28/coronavirus-covid-19-self-isolating-protects-your-friends-family-and-community All the latest government advice can be found at
https://nhs.uk/coronavirus
Please visit our coronavirus webpages: https://www.york.gov.uk/coronavirus. For more news from us, visit: https://www.york.gov.uk/news Information on council services during the national restrictions can be found at: https://www.york.gov.uk/news/article/383/council-supports-york-through-the-national-restrictions

Tinkering with traffic schemes in York

The new lockdown arrangements will alter once again traffic flows in the City.

The changes will affect the monitoring of schemes like The Groves, where the Council have so far been unable to produce before and after figures for air pollution and congestion.

A review of the scheme was promised early in 2021.

Very low traffic levels on Penley’s Grove Street during first lockdown

The effected streets were – like many in other parts of the City – virtually deserted during the first lockdown. Alternative routes have also been quiet since the beginning of the year.

Now the Council has formally changed the The Groves restrictions twice in the space of 7 days.

As no figures have been shared with residents it is impossible to judge whether the changes are justified.

However, the absence of any action on safety aspects of the scheme – including the controversial contra flow cycle routes – tells its own story.

Reopening the restricted access, at least for emergency vehicles, would also have been worth addressing as pressures on the NHS grow. .

Elsewhere, West Offices leaked a plan to the media yesterday which said that foot-street hours were being changed to 10:30am – 5:00pm during the lockdown.

There was no consultation on the proposal and no decision appears in the Councils official “on line” log. Sources say that it is aimed at making access to “takeaways” easier.

Maybe so.

But it is unclear why the revision simply didn’t reinstate the traditional footstreet hours (10:30am – 4:00pm). At least the signage for that restriction is already available!

York Central

It seems that the Council will determine the detailed planning application for the York Central site during the lockdown.

The proposal is likely to go to a public inquiry but when and how that could be arranged under the pandemic restrictions remains to be seen.

The applicants have failed to satisfy perfectly reasonable objections to transport access proposals for the site.

The Marble Arch pedestrian access

The Leeman Road tunnel (next to Marble Arch) would still be made one way with cyclists apparently expected to brave a deluge of liquid manure during wet weather.

Wilton Rise existing footbridge

Problems with the poor access for cyclists in the Wilton Rise area have also not been addressed.

Local residents – quite legitimately – are objecting to losing pedestrian access down the current line of Leeman Road as the railway museum stubbornly pursues its “annexation” policies.

Other more extreme objections have been lodged – including the impractical “no vehicles” lobby – but it is the failure of the developers to satisfy the concerns of “moderate” residents, which may lead to lengthy delays is getting this important scheme actually built.