Recurring Event (Free
Grab a bargain at our sale of withdrawn library stock, with books suitable for all ages and prices starting from 50p.
Every Saturday. Admission free.
Date: Saturday May 25th
Time:9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Cost:Free
Residents were promised that new cycle barriers would be provided on the cycle route which links Thanet Road and Sherringham Drive.
The old barriers were removed following damage last year. A temporary replacement (aimed at halting misuse by motorcyclists) was provided in the form of building blocks.
Over 6 months later and they are still there with no communication form the Council about what progress is being made in providing a permanent solution.
Poor customer service from the City of York Council.
There may be some new hope that cyclists will get a better deal from the new administration which is taking over at West Offices this week.
Both the LibDems and the Green Party promised better road surfaces in the City.
Potholes represent a particular hazard for cyclists.
There is talk of an emergency budget in June which would present an opportunity to rejig transport priorities.
We hope so.
In the slightly longer term, the Council needs to take a fresh look at its off road cycle network.
One notorious section in Acomb comes to a dead end in the middle of Front Street with no one apparently able to decide how to safely continue the route towards the Askham Lane and Foxwood areas.
In other areas stop gap measures, introduced 20 years ago, are still in place. These include the makeshift metal channels which were installed on the approaches to several railway bridges. They are supposed to make it easier for cyclists to push their machines up steep access stairways.
In reality, it is often easier to carry the bike or – more likely – just take a longer and possibly more hazardous route using the ordinary road network
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a violent incident that occurred in York on Cornlands Road.
It happened at about 8am on 17 May 2019 and involved two women in their 20s.
We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number NYP-17052019-0084.
A copy of the prospectus can be downloaded from this link
The proposals are both ambitious and respectful tot eh heritage of both the Cathedral itself and the surrounding City.
They include a new “Queen Elisabeth Square” adjacent to the west end of the Minster. This is a welcome move towards the pedestrianisation of Duncombe Place. A vehicular access route – which will apparently still accommodate the Railway museums “Disney” train – has been retained.
The role of Deans Park as a quiet part of the City centre has been respected.
Likely to be more controversial – with the devil being in the detail – are plans for new buildings in the area where Constantine currently sits. The Roman will be rehoused further down Deangate, where he will be joined by a statute of Queen Elisabeth II
A separate Deangate cycle track is planned ending the present shared space arrangement with pedestrians. Access only restrictions will be enforced ending the visits of parents to the entrance to the Minster School. They will have a separate drop off point at the end of Duncombe Place. The school itself will get enhanced facilities.
St Williams College will be brought back into use – not before time – and will accommodate Minster office staff. It is an old building, with an arcane layout, so good look to them with that.
The existing Church House administration offices will be converted into flats which will be rented out.
There are plans to develop the Deanery garages as residential accommodation for workers.
That may not suit everyone and there are some potentially awkward interfaces with the surrounding community. The new square, for example, doesn’t seem to make the best of the possible linkages to Stonegate.
But overall the proposals represent good progress and are being progressed in an inclusive way which reflects well on their authors.
Responses to the consultation can be made via this link The consultation closes on 16th June 2019.
No, not a reference to the influence of the Green Party.
More the steady advance of weeds on amenity paving areas, back lanes, snickets and on footpaths. Weed growth is heavily influenced by weather conditions, of course, but the Council doesn’t help by being secretive about when they have scheduled weed treatments for this year. Treatment hasn’t always been effective in the past.
Works have started on the demolition of the bowling green buildings on Front Street. Planning permission was granted last year which allows developers to build 10 houses there.
The proposals were highly controversial as they ruled out a coordinated development which would have secured the future of the Council owned land (former allotments) to the rear of the library car park as well as the open aspect at the back of Chancery Court. A holistic approach was favoured by those residents who completed an opinion survey.
The planning committee inexplicably agreed a Section 106 contribution to the provision of alternative sports/green space facilities but at a site located in the Holgate area.
Now local residents are complaining about the noise and disturbance being caused by the contractors. It has been suggested that the contractors are trespassing on the Council owned land, which itself has a nature conservation role.
Residents have called on local Councillors to take action to ensure that the contractors respect the amenity of neighbouring properties
The future of the former allotments site needs to be clarified quickly by the Council which has owned it for over 10 years.
It was slated to be an extension to the library incorporating a “pocket park” to retain a green aspect for the benefit of the Front Street area.
However no progress has been made on that project.
The Post Office in Woodthorpe closed earlier in the week. Little notice was given of the plans.
The Post Office is now consulting about future provision for their services on the area. In effect they are looking for a retailer who will take on the sub post office role.
Details can be found by clicking this link
The consultation expires on 13th June.
Buckingham Group Contracting (currently building York Stadium Leisure Complex at Monks Cross) is offering a second Apprenticeship Taster Day on Tuesday 28 May.
The young people who get to attend will find out what it’s like in a real construction environment around employees and apprentices working on the Community Stadium.
Places are limited and students will be given places on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to apply for this taster, please visitwww.york.gov.uk/apprenticeshipevents
For more information, or to find out how to be involved in 2020’s Year 11 Taster Day in January, contact the York Apprenticeship Hub onyork.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk or 01904 553732
The new LibDem led Council will be expected to make an early difference in this area.
We have long campaigned for the York Council to devote more resources to improving public services in poorer neighbourhoods. The symptoms of derivation include lower life expectancy levels and poor health. The latter is often connected to the availability of healthy living facilities and advice. Obesity levels in children are also an issue in many areas.
The report published by “End Child Poverty” uses national data to estimate the likelihood of child poverty in each ward in the City.
This data is tabulated. Hull road, Guildhall and Westfield are the three most vulnerable areas.
York is far from being the most needy City in the country.
….but there is sufficient objective and anecdotal evidence to suggest that local policies are failing.
The new Council could make a start by withdrawing the threat to build on open spaces and sports facilities in the Westfield area.
