York to trial electric waste vehicle

City of York Council are set to trial a new state of the art, zero emission, electric refuse collection vehicle this week.

The vehicle is the first of its kind, using electric to both power the vehicle and compact waste, meaning there are zero emissions.

The three day trial will give the council time to see how the truck performs. The 27-tonne truck runs on lithium-ion batteries and is designed for urban environments with short routes and can complete a full ten hour shift on one charge.

Deputy leader of the council and executive member for the environment, Cllr Andrew Waller, said: “As a council we’re always looking at ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint and emissions to improve air quality. Electric vehicle technology has progressed at an extremely quick rate over the past years, allowing larger vehicles to travel longer in between charges.

“We’re keen to see expanding our electric vehicle fleet with electric waste vehicles is a way in which we can look to reduce our carbon footprint without affecting the serve residents receive.”

Russell Markstein, Electra’s Commercial Director commented: “The City of York is the conclusion of six months of trials of the Electra in both urban and rural locations. York is the perfect environment for the Electra to operate, with zero emissions and near silent operation, the residents and businesses in the City will visibly see the Council’s efforts in reducing its carbon footprint”

The trial has been offered to the council for free from Electra Commercial Vehicles.

That was the week that was in west York in pictures

As the Council has stopped edging verges some paths are now gradually disappearing. Short sighted policy. Several residents in Ridgeway have signed a petition asking for action on this issue.

Also in Ridgeway there are problems with deteriorating footpaths. They could get pretty dangerous after frost gets to work this winter.

Nearby, this is a section of the Askham Lane path which will be resurfaced before the end of the year

Unfortunately parking on verges in Ridgeway is making a mess of the newly reinstated verges. Leaf fall is also a hazard.,

Problem with leaf fall on Askham Lane footpaths as well. We have reported the problem to the Council for attention

We’ve also reported litter in the planted areas in Dickson Park

To end with some good news. The Christmas lights in Front Street are brightening up the area. Good work by the Acomb Alive traders again this year.

Acomb War Memorial work completed

The York Civic Trust has completed its work on the restoration of the Acomb War Memorial on The Green. The Trust has paid for much of the work from their exemplary City Enhancement Fund

The Westfield Ward Committee has funded a new access footpath to the base of the memorial. It is hoped this will make the monument easier to reach particularly for people with disabilities.

There will be a Service of Remembrance at the Memorial on Sunday starting at 10:45am 

Restored Acomb War Memorial rear

Restored Acomb War Memorial front

New monument access path paid for by the Westfield Ward

1922 cutting from local newspaper

Acomb War Memorial shortly after completion in May 1922

Delays on street lighting and other York Council repairs

It looks like there is a backlog developing on street lighting repairs in York. Cllr Sheena Jackson has been pressing for a lamp at the end of Foresters Walk to be repaired but has now been told that it could be as long as a fortnight  before it is working again. Officials blame an increased number of fault reports for the backlog, although an extra member of staff has been taken on.

Elsewhere recycling collections have been erratic with several instances reported where cardboard has not been collected.

The Councils web site instructions on how much cardboard can be collected at the kerb are byzantine and really could do with simplification before the peak Christmas period arrives

We were disappointed to find that a “keep left” bollard on Gale Lane – reported 5 weeks ago – still hasn’t been repaired

We’ve asked for the repair to be expedited The darker nights, and potentially foggy weather, mean that illuminated bollards are often a key safety aid for drivers

There have also been problems in getting overgrown hedges cut back for some public footpaths.

We’ve asked for some self seeded bushes on the Thoresby Road garage area to be removed.

We reported the full litter bin on Askham Lane near the bus stop and asked it to be emptied.

Fixed penalty notices issued in York

Fly posting, fly tipping, littering and dog fouling

As they promised, the York council has now updated its “open data” web site to include details of the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued.

An FOI request was prompted by a large number of fly posting incidents in west York advertising the arrival of a Fair.

The published stats only go up to June at present but they reveal a downward trend on FPNs issued for fly posting.

In total 36 were issued during the first 6 months of the year.

Fly tipping is also a continuing problem in some areas. Here the figures reveal that no FPNs were issued during the first part of this year.

It was similar picture for dog fouling with no FPNs issued between January and June.

Only 1 FPN was issued for littering.

Statistical information has also been published for

Council acts on fly posting blight

Legal Action Promised.

Fly posters advertising a Fair at ROKO Health Club

The York Council has taken action to remove posters which were illegally fly posted across west York.

The posters advertised a Fair taking place at ROKO

Officials say that 40 posters have been removed and that they plan to take legal action against those responsible.

The posters had caused particular concern because they were attached to street furniture using sellotape which is difficult to remove.

Council officials say that they have removed over 40 posters.

They ask that if a resident sees any others which have been missed that they report them.

A Freedom of Information request has been lodged with the Council asking them to reveal how many prosecutions for fly posting have been undertaken during the last 3 years.

That was the week that was in pictures: more dumping and fly posting in west York

A mattress and other items have been dumped in the Cornlands Park

Bus shelter in Askham Lane damaged

Council asked to confirm a date when the much promised, never delivered, lay-by on Askham Lane will be constructed?

Hedge on snicket linking Gale Lane and Haddon Close reported. Needs cutting back

Snicket between Haddon Close and Tennent Road needs clearing of litter (not for the first time)

Fly posters advertising a Fair at ROKO Health Club are blighting the City

Far to much litter, broken glass and detritus on Tithe Close/Tedder Road snicket