York Council must face up to real transport challenge

It came as no surprise yesterday when the government, in urging some people to return to work, specifically said that public transport should be avoided. The government says that only 10% of those using public transport will now be able to do so as work restrictions are eased. They hope that (nationwide) an additional 5% can be persuaded to cycle to work.

While the message may have mainly been aimed at the big City’s like London, there are lessons for York.

York has a successful bus service. 12 million local bus trips are made each year to which should be added 4 million park and ride users.

There are a similar number of journeys made by cycle.

Around 20,000 people walk to and from the City centre, on average, each day. Over 70% of trips to the railway station are made using “sustainable” means of transport (cycling, walking, taxi or bus)

The government says that it is targeting those making journeys of up to 3 miles (who could walk) or 5 miles (who might cycle). Walking 3 miles might take an hour, cycling 5 miles maybe 40 minutes. One likely bonus is improved fitness and relatively low cost.

The negatives include journeys being uncomfortable in poor – or very hot -weather while, for cyclists, York’s creaking infrastructure can present hazards.

Neither mode is suitable for those carrying tools, supplies or heavy shopping. The elderly and disabled also might prefer off peak public transport.

A decade ago the York Council staged a trial where employees volunteered to use different modes of transport to complete a “commute” from the Askham Bar park and ride site to St Leonards Place. One person walked, one jogged, one cycled, one used a battery aided bike, another used a moped with a bus journey, a taxi and a car ride making up the numbers. The moped and battery bike (in their infancy in those days) offered the quickest trip time (both were “parked” on dedicated off street spaces).

We doubt that a similar experiment today would produce different results.

In the ,meantime anyone wanting to buy a new bike may find supply is limited for the next few weeks at least.

The Council holds a lot of information on travel habits in the City. Origin and destination data is already used in computer modelling to forecast the impact that changes to the highway network will have.

We understand that no forecasts were asked for prior to the recent changes in the Bishopthorpe Road area. Nor was a safety audit carried out. There was no consultation.

That is not the way to win the hearts and minds of residents.

As the City becomes busier again changes will need to be carefully planned. Reports should be on the Council’s executive forward programme of decisions.

A programme of works and publicity covering the next few months should be published

If it isn’t, then there may be 15,000 former bus passengers driving into the City centre .

Road repairs promised, Foxwood residents key workers tribute

Dringhouses Councillor Stephen Fenton tells us that the Council have agreed to fill in the potholes on the Askham Lane approach to the A1237 roundabout. Last week the highways department claimed there was no need for any work!
Foxwood Residents Association gardeners (Foxgloves) have unveiled a tribute to key workers in the communal garden at the community centre.
Residents are being asked to check that boundary hedges are not intruding onto public footpaths
Thorn hedge branches which are impeding the Tedder Road – Cornlands Road snicket have been reported for a second time.
Bulky waste removal service recommences tomorrow (Monday). Details on Council web site.

David Horwell RIP

We were sorry to learn of the passing of David Horwell who was a Liberal Councillor representing the old Foxwood & Woodthorpe wards between 1979 and 1988

David Horwell

A long term railway employee he was mostly employed as a guard on long distance British Rail services. He was a worshiper at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Acomb and became Sherriff of York in 1992.

His wife Sandra died in 2001. His son Gary also went on to be a local Councillor.

David was, quite simply, one of the nicest people anyone could possibly hope to meet. He worked hard for west York for over a decade and will be remembered with fondness by many who still live in the area.

NB. The survey results, contained in the Focus newsletters (below) published by David in 1980, may cause a wry smile. Some things haven’t changed much in the last 40 years!

Focus newsletters from 199 – 1984

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

 Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Hop And Glory Ltd 43 Front Street York YO24 3BR

Conditions 3 (extraction), 4 (machinery and equipment) and 5 (noise insulation) – 19/02075/FUL

Ref. No: AOD/20/00124 

—-

Former Lowfield School Dijon Avenue York

Conditions 14, 31 and 33 of 17/02428/FULM

Ref. No: AOD/20/00118 

Relates to discharging the following conditions.

Condition 14 (Bus stop improvements) financial contribution £70,000

Condition 33 (Education places) financial contribution of £438,182

Condition 31 (Football pitches) financial contribution of £300,000

NB. This is the money that is part funding the provision of football pitches near Bishopthorpe. Another contribution is coming from the developers. The location of the new pitches is nearly 3 miles from Lowfields. Work there has been ongoing for 6 months.

The controversial decision not to spend the funding in the local community nearer Lowfield was made by the City of York Council.

No progress on providing improved active leisure provision in the Westfield ward has been made.

——

7 Stuart Road York YO24 3AX

Conservatory to rear

Ref. No: 20/00279/FUL 

——

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received

So are vehicle speeds getting higher on York’s streets?

Much reduced traffic volumes have resulted in some claims that vehicle speeds have increased. Yesterday figures emerged which suggested that a small number of drivers on major roads like the A64 were exceeding the prevailing speed limit. Camera vans had caught 137 speeders during a 2 week period.

More anecdotal evidence suggests that quieter sub-urban and rural roads have encouraged more considerate driving behaviours.

The latest speed check results do suggest that most drivers – before the lockdown – were respecting the prevailing speed limit.

Checks are undertaken by the Fire service which uses equipment which records the speeds 24/7 on particular section of road. The deployment of he equipment is prompted by complaints. Details can be found on this web site (click)

Priority is given to locations with a high accident record. A report is published giving both the mean recorded speed and the speed the limit that 85% of drivers observe.

A decision is then made as to whether any further action is required. This might take the form of enforcement, engineering works or the use of community speed watch equipment.

47 Roads in York have been checked over the last year.

The most striking result is that there  is a high level of compliance with the speed limit on most roads in and around the City.

There are exceptions with the 20 mph limit in Heslington Lane in Fulford seeing (85%ile) speeds of between 25 and 28 mph. A similar picture on New Lane in Holgate where speeds of between 24 and 28 mph were recorded in the 20 mph zone. Sandy Lane in Stockton on Forest saw speeds of 38/39 mph within the 30 mph limit.

No details of any checks made since the lockdown restrictions were imposed, have been published.

The next roads due to be checked are

  • Corban Lane, Wigginton;
  • Moorlands Road, Skelton;
  • Manor Lane, York;
  • Ryecroft Avenue, Woodthorpe;
  • Station Road, Haxby;
  • A1036 Sim Balk Lane;
  • The Village, Haxby and
  • the A166 near Murton Lane.

Good weather brings out bunting and flowers

Good weather brought out the flags today to mark VE Day
Residents hard work last year means there are more colourful flowers breaking through

Good news for bees

It is hoped that the annual Foxwood Residents Association garden contest will go ahead later int the summer. Garden containers are judged by there appearance from the public footpath.

Camera vans catch 135 speeders near York

North Yorkshire Police safety (speed) vans caught 135 motorists speeding on roads near York in April.

The majority of the offenders were detected on the A64.

Most of the offenders have been referred for speed awareness courses although 8 face a court appearance for more serious violations

The figures for the period between 8th – 23rd April are detailed on the police web site (click)

In addition to speeding offences, 6 drivers were found not to be wearing seat belts.

The figures also reveal that the vans have not been used to check vehicle speeds in the urban area.

This may prove to be a controversial use of resources as “reassurance checks” in residential areas have been promised by Chief Constables in the past.

Safety camera van results 8th -22nd April 2020

Monkbar to close for overnight resurfacing on Sunday

Following the completion of the traffic signal renewal at the junction of Monkbar, Lord Mayor’s Walk and St Maurice’s Road, City of York Council will be resurfacing the junction from Sunday 10 May.

To minimise disruption work will take place overnight from 7.30pm – 5am and is expected to take five nights to complete, weather dependant. The work includes resurfacing the road and adding markings.

All crews carrying out the works will be operating under strict social distancing guidance due to the current Coronavirus restrictions. All but essential maintenance has been paused during the outbreak of Coronavirus.

We have worked with trade unions and our supply chain to develop new ways of working during the pandemic. This ensures that works on the road can happen in a safe way for front line operatives and the public, whilst roads are quieter than normal.

This follows guidance from the Department of Transport, which has asked council’s to continue with normal highway maintenance as much as possible.

To minimise disruption the resurfacing work will be carried out in two phases as follows:

  • Phase 1 (Sun 10 May – Tue 12 May): Jewbury/St Maurice’s Road and Goodramgate Closed with traffic on Lord Mayor’s Walk and Monkgate down to a single lane operating under lane closures and temporary lights. Jewbury/St Maurice’s Road will be turned in to a 2-way road allowing access and egress to and from the hotels and Cloisters Walk only (no through traffic). Access and egress will only be granted to St Maurice’s Road/Jewbury from the direction of Layerthorpe/Foss Islands Road/Peasholme Green. The slip road on Foss Bank to Jewbury will also be closed.
  • Phase 2 (Wed 13 May – Thu 14 May): All roads will remain open with traffic on Lord Mayor’s Walk and Monkgate down to a single lane.

The roads will need to be closed during the resurfacing work on phase 1. Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place for through traffic. The closure is to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for local residents, the travelling public and the contractors undertaking the work.

Emergency services will be permitted through the works in any situation. A one way system will be in place on pavements to ensure that people can effectively distance themselves from other footway users.

All on street parking in the working area and within close proximity to the works will be suspended including a small section of on street parking on Lord Mayors Walk during work times.

During phase 1, Bus services 12 and 14 will be diverted via Layerthorpe, Eboracum Way and Heworth Green meaning Monkgate will not be served. Buses from the direction of Haxby to York/Foxwood will not be affected.

For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/monkbar

Don’t make it up as you go along – issues on Bishopthorpe Road

York got its first “social distancing” footpath widening on Bishopthorpe Road today. Southbound vehicles now face a 1 mile detour via Nunnery Lane and Blossom Street. It is said that this will allow those queuing outside the butchers shop to have a 2 metre social distancing space.

Maybe so.

But the execution of the project does suggest planning based on impulse rather than the result of  a more considered approach.

Northbound cycle lane closed

Not least this is because the alternative route is itself obstructed this week as extensive water company road works are take place on Blossom Street.

Blossom Street impeded by roadworks this week

Still it is even more good news for street sign manufacturers. In a week where we have seen £700,000 allocated to new City centre direction signs  and a, largely unnecessary, lamppost replacement programme eroding highway maintenance budgets still further, we now see what can only be described as a confusing forest of road closed signs appearing on Bishopthorpe Road.

Few takers for implied southbound contra flow cycle lane

The big potential losers are those who depend on two wheeled transport. The northbound cycle lane has been scrapped while an ambiguous sign on the southern approach implies that a contraflow lane is available. Not surprisingly few cyclists were today prepared to risk riding against the traffic flow on the improvised – and relatively narrow – new central carriageway. There are safer routes available via St Benedict’s Road or the Darnborough Street/Vine Street loop.

So – just as with the Lendal Bridge closure fiasco of a few years ago – the law of unintended consequences has set in on this well intentioned initiative.

Elsewhere, there are easier gains to be had. Cycle paths (and some footpaths) are once again being overgrown by weeds and bushes. A few pounds spent there would produce a better return than is evident on Bishopthorpe Road.

A trial pedestrianisation of this shopping area may well be worth considering when traffic flows have returned to normal. But everyone needs to accept that less traffic here will mean more passing vehicles in other residential areas.

The Council should spend more time ensuring that cycle paths are free of obstructions. This one on Tadcaster Road is gradually being eroded by weed growth

Thankfully the Council has put on hold its plan to stop traffic using The Groves area as a short cut. Critics of the plan pointed out that it could mean gridlock for Lord Mayors Walk with serious implications for emergency vehicle response times together with a knock on effect on public transport. Trial road closures, in the current unique circumstances, wouldn’t prove anything.

It is another scheme that needs to be re-evaluated as and when the City’s economy – and the Councils finances – return to more normal levels.