Contractors working on the refurbished Lincoln Court development on Ascot Way, have dumped a public noticeboard on the nearby verge. It is now unusable.
The board had been upended last year when building work started and, for a while, it was fastened to the perimeter security fencing.
There was adequate room available to position the noticeboard well away from the work area, but this never happened
It’s very disappointing to see this example of poor contract management and civic vandalism.
Meanwhile work on the Lincoln Court building itself is complete and furniture has been delivered.
Lincoln Court work complete and awaiting tenants
Work on the adjacent centre for the disabled is still underway. It now seems unlikely that the target completion date of October will be achieved.
Yesterday workers were ripping up the surface of The Mount prior to moving on down Tadcaster Road.
Initially new gas main pipes will be installed. These will be followed by the new drainage channels which should have been provided in the spring when the carriageway was last dug up.
Roadworks in Tadcaster Road area will mean 6 months of disruption and a £5.6 million cost to taxpayers.
The scheme can be contrasted with other urgently needed repairs elsewhere in west York.
School Street was reported this week for the umpteenth time only for the Council to respond saying that “no further work is required”
School Street area – a patchwork of potholes and faded white lines
Good to see that some street level public service standards are improving in west York. As we observed some months ago, the health crisis caused a rethink on street cleansing with a neighbourhood management approach producing better results. This has improvement has generally been sustained
The York Council had a challenging time in 2019 when parts of the City were blighted by weeds following the award of a poorly specified treatment contract. This year the streets have been largely clear of weed growth following the award of a new £58,000 contract to Munro Weed Control.
There are still some problem areas (snickets, back lanes, garage forecourts) but generally standards have improved.
Routine weed treatment has worked well in most areas although some snickets and garage forecourts still aren’t routinely treated
Some progress seems to have been made on long term, seemingly intractable, problems such as rubbish storage and fly tipping in the Front Street back lane area. Notices have now been displayed indicating the penalties for fly tipping. Most rubbish storage areas are now tidier although there are some exceptions
Front Street/Beaconsfield Street tidier but not yet perfect
Less good news on highways maintenance. There are still too many uneven road surfaces including long outstanding problems in the School Street area in the Acomb. White line repainting is also behind schedule.
School Street & Bellwood Drive
The Councils new graffiti removal service has been successful although utility boxes and some private boundaries are still subject to attack. The utilities in particular take a long time to clean their boxes. We’d like to see the Council team undertaking this work and more effort being made to fine those who are responsible.
Utility boxes and private boundaries stills subject to attackGood to see local bus shelters have been repainted. Missing or damaged perspex panels need to be replaced at some locationsAnti social behaviour has been an increasing problem in some neighbourhoods recently
It seems that completion of work at both the new disabled centre and a remodelled Lincoln Court will shortly be competed. The builders equipment is being removed and the compound on the school land and the MUGA are almost clear.
New Lincoln Court entrance is imposingDespite being largely clear of equipment, it seems unlikely that public use of the games area will be allowed. This is the replacement site on Thanet Road slated to be the home of the new games area. However discussions about the project have dragged on for nearly 2 years.
Meanwhile at Lowfields work continues with several homes likely to be ready for occupation early next year.
The has been no recent update from the York Council on when they expect the communal housing, self build, health centre, older persons accommodation, public buildings and community facilities on their Lowfield development to be completed (or even in most cases started!)
The off road cycle paths in Rawcliffe are obstructed by overgrown trees and hedges. York Council must inspect the route and make sure that it is clear and safe.
We asked 4 weeks ago what had happened to the promised replacement for the children’s games area on Kingsway West.
The area is currently being used as a building compound. The contractor was beginning tt remove storage containers from the area today although work on Lincoln Court and the new centre for the disabled won’t be completed for a few weeks at least (it is running behind schedule with COVID partly to blame according to the Council).
A response to a Freedom of Information request was due today but the Council now says that they can’t reply before 3rd Ocotober.
The enquiry resulted from a promise made on 18th March 2019 when the Council’s Executive agreed to provide a replacement for the Kingsway West Multi User Games Area (MUGA) which has been taken out of use as part of the project to extend Lincoln Court.
The minute read; “a ii) To note that in approving Option 1 a commitment is made for alternative recreational facilities following community consultation including Sport England within Westfield Ward in mitigation for the loss of the Multi Use Games Area. The alternative facilities provided are to be agreed by Executive and will be subject to a further report and budget approval.”
18 months later and there has been no further word from the Council on how the replacement plan is going.
The contractor has started to remove storage containers from the building compound. Most external work on the new and refurbished buildings has been completed. The wire fence around the games area has been realigned.
Nice weather today but the Front Street area was noticeably quieter. Possibly the new health restrictions are beginning to have an effect.
The development on the Bowling Green site is now well advanced with some homes now occupied. Sadly with good weather comes more weed growth. A particular problem in the pedestrian area
Good to see that the litter bin on Tadcaster Road, which we reported last week as being full, was quickly emptied by the Council.
Shame that we are now seeing an increase in other examples of environmental crime
Empty cans blight the cycle underpass at London Bridge despite two litter bins being provided. Graffiti also a continuing problem.
London Bridge
Seat dumped in Acomb Wood. Been a lot of problems with litter there. The wood is maintained by volunteers, is a heaven for wildlife and a popular walk for locals.
