A set of goal posts have disappeared from the playing field to the rear of Westfield Place.
Only one set of goal posts on Westfield park
The removal follows a series of actions by the York Council which has seen sports facilities eroded in what is York’s poorest neighbourhood. The sports field at Lowfields has been built on, the multi user games area closed and a (private) bowling green sold for housing.
No consultation took place before the set of goalpost were removed.
One set remains. The ward committee had been expected to arrange for the posts to be repainted, and the pitch remarked, before the start of the football season.
As problems with the weed control programme in the City
intensify, one Councillor has discovered that contractors may have been using
the wrong type of weed killer.
The approved weed-killer is Glyphosate
(Roundup). This has proved to be ineffective against many types of weeds including
Horses (Mares) Tail and willow-herb.
Now
Cllr Mark Warters has found that use of the “Diamond”
formulation on Mares Tail in his ward has had good results. He is urging the
Council to use it in the future.
The
news comes as residents wait to hear when – or even if – the Council is going
to organise a clean up of the weeds and detritus which has grown up on the City’s
streets this summer.
Although
a report to an October meeting has been promised more urgent action is needed.
The expectation
was that the executive Councillor with responsibility for street services would
have reported on progress to the scrutiny meeting which is due to take place on
11th September.
However a report to the meeting published yesterday pointedly makes no reference to the ongoing problems on our streets.
Askham Lane footpath gradually being eroded by grassThe footpath on Grange Lane is obstructed by nettlesThe Walton Place/Grange Lane snicket is overgrownWeed growth damaging the footpath on Sherringham Drive was reported 3 months agoMetre high weeds overgrowing railings on Askham LaneDitto on Thanet RoadOne of the underlying problems is poor street sweeping standards. These build outs on Gale Lane haven’t been cleaned for over 6 months. The resulting silt provides an ideal bed for weeds.
All these issues have been reported to the York Council for their attention
Sorry to see that the beacon support post on the Gale Lane zebra crossing have been vandalised. Electricity supply cables exposed. We’ve reported the problem to the Council who we hope will respond promptlyAlso on Gale Lane the detritus build up around traffic build outs has now reached record proportions. Clearly not been swept for months. Another issue for the Council to tackle before winter places extra demands on drainage channelsFull litter bin also reportedand litter near the entrance to the Westfield Place park entrance and around its perimeter
With many eyes on the forest fires
in the Amazon basin, it is perhaps a good time to review the health and extent
of tree cover in and around the City of York.
York lies within the boundaries of the proposed new “Northern Forest”
Northern Forest
By removing carbon dioxide, trees help mitigate climate change. The
shade provided by urban tree canopies can also help minimize the urban heat
island effect.
Trees planted in Kingsthorpe in the 1970’s have now matured into a small wood area.
In addition, trees intercept stormwater, which can reduce flooding and improve water quality, and reduce air pollution, such as ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter. Reductions in air pollution has proven benefits to human health
Not surprisingly in 2019, there is asuite of computer modelsavailable which give use a greater insight into tree cover in particular areas.
Many feel that the key priority –
after the proper maintenance of existing tree stocks – is to maximise the
planting of mature trees which will grow to provide an enhanced canopy.
The models have helped local authorities like Leeds and Wrexham to map their existing tree cover and draw up future planting strategies.
In turn, the work suggest that open spaces – rather than verges – should be the first place to look for new planting sites
There is scope to plant more trees and wildflowers on open areas in York near the rivers.
York has had a voluntary group “Treemendous” which has supported tree planting in public spaces for nearly 10 years.
Some work is already going on at neighbourhood level. The Foxwood Residents Association having already obtained a grant to plant trees on part of the Thanet Road sports area.
Residents from the Huntington and Heworth areas have added their voices to the criticisms of the Council’s performance in keeping local streets clean and tidy. Although, like Woodthorpe on the west of the City, some streets in Huntington appear to have been well swept, they are outnumbered by those where even basic weed clearance has not taken place this summer.
One again it is the main entry roads into the City which are most neglected. It presents a poor image for visitors
Weeds block gutters and paths on Malton RoadPaved area on Huntington Road near Bell Farm has not been sprayedWeeds engulfing street furniture on Jockey LaneA blocked gully on Heworth Green. These need to be cleared before wetter weather arrives with winter. Long term build up of detritus around traffic island build outs on Malton Road
Several councillors have now responded to complaints about weeds, detritus and overgrown hedges in local streets.
Front Street
Joining Mark Warters and Tony Fisher, who operate on the east of the City, Westfield Councillor Andrew Waller has pledged to personally remove weeds from the Front Street pedestrian area. The precinct has been weed infested for over 3 months with growth around street furniture and trees a particular problem.
That is a shame because the image of an area – which in recent years has become more economically successful – can be disproportionately influenced by what people see on arrival. Front Street doesn’t have the advantage of the, York BID funded, clean up contractors that have brought major improvements to the York City centre environment.
Elsewhere we have asked for weeds to be treated in several locations. We think it is now time for the Council to give a public commitment to complete a tidy up programme within a specific timetable.
Overgrown thorn like brambles will be a hazard as darker nights approach. We’ve asked for those on the access road to the Thoresby Road garage block to be cut backAnother example – this one on Kingsway West- where basic spraying or strimming of areas around street furniture has not been competed.Contractors should spray up to the edge of the footpathSnickets are particularly vulnerable to weed growth and litterProblem areas are taking weeks, sometimes months, to addressSome footpaths are now being eroded and will be more costly to repair
Anyone expecting the York Council’s Executive to take decisive action, to address declining public service standards at their meeting yesterday, will have been disappointed.
Despite a plea from Independent Councillor Mark Warters that a team be set up to deal with outstanding complaints, the Councils leadership remained tight lipped.
Cllr Warters was echoing a similar call from a growing number of Liberal Democrat supporters in the City
Many residents may conclude that there is something seriously wrong at West Offices.
Not only is there no timetable for addressing outstanding issues, but communications with residents are poor while many local Councillors (not all) fail to roll their sleeves up and tackle issues directly in their wards.
The York Council is no longer a “can do” organisation. It’s become a “maybe things will get better next year” type authority.
That won’t do. Its the kind of complacent attitude that has prompted a rise in more extreme political ideologies elsewhere in the country and abroad. It needs to be reversed, and quickly.
Not everything is bad, of course. Some individual Council officials are making limited progress in improving our streets as we show here.
The drainage channel on Foxwood Lane has been clearedThe Field Lane cycle track has been cleared of obstructionsBut for every success there is a failure. The footpath on Hull Road remains obstructed despite pedestrians being forced onto the busy highwayand weeds still haven’t been treated even on streets where Councillors actually live!New issues are emerging each day. This footpath on Field Lane, near the Hull Road junction, is now obstructed.Not the Councils responsibility, but there has been a build up of litter on the Teal Drive “pocket park”. Reopened 6 weeks ago, it is being well used but it does need routine cleansing (or a litter bin). Reported to JRHT.
Invasive weeds were being cut back on Hob Moor yesterday. The area is fortunate in having supporters who will undertake this sort of task with the Friends of Hob Moor one of the most successful of local amenity societies
The Friends of Hob Moor organise various interpretation events.
However, there are some problems on the Moor. Hedges have become overgrown with several paths, including part of Kingsway West, being obstructed.
The cycle path link to the railway tunnel is becoming overgrown.
Little Hob Moor (adjacent to Tadcaster Road) is showing signs of neglect.
Weeds haven’t been sprayed and are now overwhelming the cycle barriersAreas around street furniture need to be sprayed or strimmed .The grass was cut yesterday 28th August)
So there is some work to be done. As this area is off the public highway (and relatively “safe”) gardening could be undertaken by – suitably equipped – volunteers. The Council does, however, need to add amenity area management to its promised weed control review agenda.
