As we approach the Council elections on May5th , I take a look back at some of the changes that we have seen in the Westfield area since 2007.

So lets start today with a look at 2007.

Spring

Focus reported that a flashing speed sign would be installed on Wetherby Road.

A local MP argued that the Edmund Wilson and Yearsley swimming pools should be closed down and replaced by a large pool at the Barbican. But the Council opted to build a new pool at the Energise sports centre on Cornlands Road and refurbish Yearsley. An 8 lane competition standard pool would be provided on Hull Road near the University.

Lidl were bidding for the land occupied by the library at Front Street but residents backed the alternative new “Explore” library option for the site. A few years later Lidl were to open in Thanet Road.  When the new library opened, the number of users was to treble.

Summer

A revolutionary Telecare system was launched by Sue Galloway. It allows elderly residents to live safely in the comfort of their own homes.

 The first plans for play provision in the Grange Lane park were announced. Plans for a new development off Chapelfields Road were also announced (now The Burn).

Plans for the new York High school were revealed. The school was to operate from Lowfields while building work took place on Cornlands Road.

Work started on the new Askham Lane/ring road roundabout.

Railings were completed around the Tedder Road play ground and plans to build flats on the site of a Chinese restaurant on Gale Lane were announced. The Council stepped up its provision of dropped kerbs/lay-bys to deal with parking problems in the area.

Autumn

A CCTV security camera would be fitted in Front Street. Flower boxes were provided in the same area as Westfield geared up for the Britain in Bloom competition in which it came second. (York was to win 3 years later). Residents on Askham Lane planted dozens of bulbs on a local amenity area.

Reusable jute bags were distributed from local community centres as a campaign against the use of plastic bags got underway.

A 47% drop in crime in the ward was reported but a planning wrangle threatened the new “Energise” swimming pool when Labour Councillors tried to delay the project.

Discovery of a bat haven prompted a small diversion of the approach road to the new ring road roundabout.

A fun day in Foxwood had been voted a big success while railings around the back of the Acomb Wood Drive shops had improved security. Fencing was also provided to stop access to the rear of the sub station on the Tedder Road to Tithe Close snicket.

A new zebra crossing was provided on Gale Lane near the Cornlands Road junction. The York Cares group undertook a project to improve the garden outside the Windsor House home which was now specialising in helping people suffering from dementia.

“A new resilience plan is needed for the City” says Strategy chief Cllr Steve Galloway in the wake of 6 weeks of “terrible weather”.

“I’ll be asking Council officials to work with partners to ensure that the City can deal better with extreme weather conditions in the future.

While a lot of attention was given to the Councils own snow and icy clearing capacity during a review of processes last summer, many difficulties have been experienced by other public services as a result of consistently low temperatures.

There were numerous complaints about failed water supplies. Some were experienced as a result of failures in the Yorkshire Water main supply pipes while others were a result of vulnerable domestic systems.

Now we are seeing emerging problems with bust pipes as the temperature rises.

We will all be watching how the thaw affects river levels in the City over the next few days.

All public service providers need to ensure that they have the capacity to deal with the demands that may be placed on their services even during holiday periods. It is particularly important that 2 way communications with affected customers are maintained.

It certainly wasn’t easy to communicate with Yorkshire Water and some Housing Associations over the last week. All public service bodies need to introduce a system where electronic communications can be dealt with 24/7 when necessary.

I will be asking Council officials to review the water supply and heating supplies in Council properties and to ensure that we are able to deal quickly with faults affecting vulnerable residents.

It may be that we need to invest more in lagging supply pipes in some of our properties and initiatives like this should also form part of a general review of the winter arrangements”.