It looks like many highways defects have been left waiting for attention for so long that expensive remedial works are now needed.
Many carriageways which needed patching in the summer and autumn were ignored. Now some are worn down to the hardcore base while others have multiple surface defects. Several represent a hazard for two wheeled transport users.
We have reported the following streets (but these may just be the tip of the iceberg).
Walker Drive
Vincent Way
Gladstone Street
Hotham Avenue
Lowfields Drive
School Street
There are also some problems also with leaf and tree detritus. We’ve reported two areas
Green Lane
Kingsthorpe
Finally builders waste has been dumped in the little Green Lane garage area. We’ve asked for it to be removed.
Five deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. However there has been some “catching up” done, with 3 of the fatalities having occurred in January but only now being reported.
Two local hospital COVID-19 deaths occurred on Thursday
Test results
THIRTY TWO positive test results announced today. That is the largest single day figure for over a week. Brings the cumulative case total to 11,692
The rate /100k population has fallen to 74.07. That is the lowest figure seen since 14th December 2020.
A further fall is expected tomorrow, although the case number spike may then delay further improvements for a couple of days.
The spike in case numbers mainly comes from the results of tests carried out on Wednesday and Thursday. It mans that the daily average number of new cases may stall at around 20 for a short time. Something similar happened towards the end of Lockdown 2 (see below)
The authrities may be looking anxiously to see whether any increased social mixing over the half term has an effect on next weeks figures.
While national and City figures continue to show a gradual decline, regional figures are remaining stubbornly high.
Neighbourhoods
Only one neighbourhood (Holgate East) currently has a infection rate (marginally) above the English average.
Vaccinations
Tests
4536 PCR test were carried out during the week ending 15th February.
3.7% of the tests produced a positive result. That is the lowest positivity rate recorded since 12th December 2020
907 “lateral flow” test were conducted on 19th February
Council urges residents not to be complacent as rates fall
The York Council issued the following statement yesterday (Friday). Please note the figures quoted are no longer the latest available.
“As the number of Coronavirus cases across the city continues to fall, City of York Council is thanking residents and businesses for their continued efforts and asking them to keep going.
The latest local data:
The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 7.2.21 to 13.2.21 was 86.4. The national and regional averages at this date were 137.8 and 152 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 18.2.21)
As at 17.2.21 54,289 CYC residents have received the first dose and 1,077 had received both doses.
With daylight lasting longer and the weather starting to warm up City of York Council is asking everyone to keep up their efforts and continue to follow the national restrictions to keep the people we love safe.
This includes not gathering in groups when exercising, as crowds give the virus the chance to spread.
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said:
Our collective efforts are making a difference and is saving lives, so thank you for all you are doing.
“We cannot afford to let our guard down and must keep going. We know this is incredibly challenging, so please continue to keep in touch with friends and family and look after each other. The Council’s helpline is there for anyone who needs it, get in touch on 01904 551550 or by emailing COVID19help@york.gov.uk.
“The success of the vaccine rollout offers us real hope that better times are around the corner. Until then let’s keep going and look after each other.”
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health at City of York Council said:
Whilst we have seen a significant fall in the rate of infection thanks to everyone’s efforts, case rates are still higher than we would like. The fewer cases we have means less pressure on our hospital and fewer families worried about what is happening to someone they love.
“The way we are all behaving is making a massive difference, so thank you. Keeping our distance, wearing a face covering and washing our hands regularly gives the virus less chance to spread.
“These restrictions are challenging for us all, please continue to look after yourself and each other. Exercise and fresh air can improve our physical and mental health, as can catching up with friends and family online.
Superintendent Mike Walker, who is leading North Yorkshire Police’s response to the pandemic and chairs the multi-agency North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, urged people to avoid gathering in the public spaces in and around York. He said:
We’re still in a precarious position as the infection rate can fluctuate. We must continue to do all we can to abide by the health protection regulations which are designed to limit the spread of the virus.
“This is not the time to become complacent about the virus. We’ve got to keep going and make sure all the hard work and sacrifice has been for the worthwhile purpose – protecting our loved ones and returning to the lifestyle we have taken for granted in the past.
“As for the reckless minority who think the regulations do not apply to them, we will continue to actively target these blatant breaches, while providing a highly-visible and reassuring presence for the wider community who are doing the right thing and helping to tackle this public health crisis.”
Reporting suspected breaches of the health protection regulations
Incidents should primarily be reported via the home page of the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101.
Shielding update
Earlier this week, government research identified more individuals who may be at increased risk of becoming seriously unwell from coronavirus and are being asked to shield, which will affect a number of residents in the city. These individuals should soon be receiving a letter from the government and the council will be in touch too. Our COVID helpline remains open to help anyone who needs it, whether that is collecting food or prescriptions or someone to talk to. The helpline is contactable on 01904 551550 or by emailing COVID19help@york.gov.uk.
The latest update of data for York is available online. “
Businesses, residents and stakeholders are being asked to share their thoughts on the future priorities of Make It York.
City of York Council are asking businesses, stakeholders and residents to share their thoughts on how Make It York can best work for the city, whilst the future priorities for the organisation are being considered.
The council-owned organisation carries out destination management and marketing functions on behalf of the city, including tourism, inward investment, business support, culture, events and city centre management.
The council are asking people to share their views through their online survey, which can be accessed online from 19 February until 15 March.
With the future priorities of Make It York currently taking shape, councillors will be asked to approve a finalised Service Level Agreement (SLA) once the feedback from the consultation and stakeholders has been assessed. The Council’s Executive approved the outline terms of an new contract (SLA) for the period of 2021-24 at a public meeting on 11th February 2021.
Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said:
We are very keen to hear from businesses and residents across York about how they think Make It York can best support the city, especially with a consideration of economic development functions, the city centre and areas outside of the city walls, the visitor economy and York’s cultural offering.
“We are at a critical moment where the future direction and priorities for Make It York are to be set, and we want the businesses and people of York to play a key role in deciding the way forward.”
Millennium Green will receive the first in a series of major improvements as part of the York Central infrastructure works starting on site next week.
Clearance works started last month across the 42 hectare brownfield site, which will provide up to 2500 new homes; up to 6500 jobs as well as vastly improved visitor access experience at the National Railway Museum.
City of York Council and contractors, John Sisk and Son, are delivering letters to neighbouring residents giving full details of the latest works on both Millennium Green and adjacent to Bishopfields Drive. The works include:
Millennium Green
Clearing vegetation and a small number of trees
Improving around 300m of footpath
A new timber viewing platform and renewal works on the pond
3 new benches
Improvements to the southern culvert wall and footpath including replacements steps, and handrail
New fence along the eastern boundary
Temporary fencing and flooring to protect the Millennium Green oak and mosaic throughout the works
Land adjacent to Bishopfields Drive
Removing a small area of treeline essential to allow the infrastructure works, while protecting remaining trees from the works.
The Millennium Green’s lease included a ‘take-back’ option for a small area of land in the north wet to allow the York Central regeneration.
Following consultation with local residents in 2018, the Trust agreed a package which includes a license to use some land during construction, the landscaping of this land when the access road is finished, the provision of alternative land to replace the area taken back and a payment of £375,000 to the Trust to secure its future and fund an ongoing maintenance programme.
Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:
York Central remains one of the most important and attractive regeneration sites in the country and is an opportunity that many other towns and cities in the UK would envy.
“At the same time as making progress to provide the jobs and houses the city needs, we want to protect and enhance our city’s green spaces. Trees are only being removed where absolutely essential, and will be more than replaced by the 300 mature trees planted during the next phases of infrastructure works. York Central will also include the largest park in the city for 100 years and areas to encourage biodiversity, while the council will plant 50,000 trees in York by 2023.
“The Council will continue to working closely with John Sisk and Sons to limit any disruption to neighbouring residents and businesses, and to keep them informed of any planned works. As ever, we thank all local residents and businesses for their patience.”
All the work has been approved as part of the planning approval on the site.
York Central is being delivered in partnership by Network Rail, Homes England, National Railway Museum and City of York Council. Homes England and Network Rail have supported the development of the site through land acquisition and master planning, and they will now oversee the infrastructure projects.
John Sisk and Son have been appointed as lead contractor for these site clearance works.
This infrastructure work is part of a wider £155m funding pot secured by the York Central Partnership to deliver infrastructure to open up the site for development.
This includes:
£77.1m funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
£23.5m of a total of £37.2m from the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and Leeds City Region Growth Deal, which will also fund the ambitious plans to transform the front of the railway station.
The West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund has been part-funded through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Deal, a £1 billion package of Government funding to drive growth and job creation across the Leeds City Region.
The aim is to create around 20,000 new jobs and add £2.4 billion a year to the economy by the mid-2030s. On top of a £6m Local Growth Fund contribution, from the York and North Yorkshire LEP, a further £35m has been secured to be repaid using retained business rates from the York Central Enterprise Zone.
