1600 update. Flood warnings have now been issued for river front properties in York as river levels continue to rise.

1400 – It looks like record high levels are being reached on the Swale (Catterick Bridge), Ure (Ripon) and Nidd (Gouthwaite). http://tinyurl.com/Ouse-catchment

All this water will be heading for York so it’s mildly reassuring that neither the Council nor emergency services seem to be concerned enough to issue high level warnings or put their contingency plans into gear?

A lot, of course, depends on when it stops raining.

These are the direct links to the Environment Agencies water level monitoring stations for York.

They give the current river levels and compare them to historical records.

Levels are all now in the range where some flooding is possible and the Agency is forecasting further rises in the levels later today.

Holgate http://tinyurl.com/Holgate-beck-level

City centre http://tinyurl.com/York-City-centre-river-level

Foss barrier http://tinyurl.com/Foss-Barrier-river-level

New Earswick http://tinyurl.com/New-Earswick-river-level

Skelton/Poppleton http://tinyurl.com/Skelton-river-levels

Update 1300: A1 north & south blocked near Darlington. East Coast main line services to and from the north suspended.

Mid day Update: St George’s Field car park in York is beginning to flood. City of York Council ask any motorists parked there to return to their cars

Check out the current river level position on this Kings Staith web cam http://www.farsondigitalwatercams.com/live-webcams/north/Ouse/York/#

It the water level rises above the top of the “no entry” sign then some properties are likely to flood.

You can register to receive flood warnings from the Environment Agency here https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home

Energise on Cornlands Road are saying, “The fitness suite will be closed on 11th and 12th October for the completion of the new extension. All the new equipment will be installed ready for full opening on 13th October”.

The AA are seeking volunteers to help with a detailed survey of highway conditions across the country.

They say,

“Each year AA Streetwatch volunteers help us check out the state of the nation’s neighbourhood roads and pavements. Our 2012 Autumn survey will commence on the 6 October and once again I am seeking your help with our simple survey.

We ask our volunteers to take about thirty minutes to stroll around their local area noting the number of various defects, such as potholes, that we have listed. It can be carried out on a day and time to suit you during the two weeks after 6th October. Surveys like Streetwatch are vital to the AA’s role as the motorists’ champion.

This time we are also asking whether any of the defects you see would be hazardous for cyclists. We will provide guidance, a checklist to take with you and tell you how to submit your results in a further e-mail to you once you have registered here http://tinyurl.com/AA-survey-2012

When completed your survey will provide valuable data that we can share with the highway authorities. Last year the information you provided was published in a report commissioned by the (LibDem) Transport Minister Norman Baker”.

Given the deteriorating condition of Yorks roads we hope as many volunteers as possible will help with the survey.

The arguments about the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit across the whole of York seem likely to intensify with the publication and distribution by the Council of a highly misleading leaflet on the subject.

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The cost of producing and distributing the leaflet is not revealed – a clear breach of the agreement that there would be transparency about such issues. Since 2001 all Council publications have included a line indicating publication costs. Generally publishing a leaflet and delivering to every household costs around £10,000.

The tone of the leaflet is highly patronising and seeks to mislead the public about the level of support for the 20 mph proposal.

It disingenuously quotes 80% support for a 20 mph limit in South Bank without revealing the number who responded to the consultation nor revealing that in 2009 – when the decision to implement a trial 20 mph limit in South Bank was taken – it was in the wake of speed surveys revealing that traffic speeds in the area were already well under 20 mph. The only issue was whether the large cost of putting up 20 mph repeater signs represented a prudent use of taxpayer’s money.

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The introduction of 20 mph limits elsewhere in the country, where recorded speeds were already around 20 mph, resulted only in a 1 mph actual reduction in mean speeds.

It would be unsurprising if residents in the South Bank area, which is comprised mainly of relatively narrow terraced streets with large volumes of “on street” parking – which effectively slows traffic , would vote in a way which might be interpreted as encouraging vehicles to travel quicker.

Accident levels in the area were very low with no killed or seriously injured (KSI) victims recorded when the matter was considered in December 2009. There had been some minor accidents and it was hoped that the trial introduction of a lower speed limit would reveal whether these accidents could be eliminated. Prior to the approval of the trial in December 2009, there had been fifteen slight accidents in the previous ten years and five slight accidents in the previous three years.

What changed, was a decision by the new Council in 2011 to include Bishopthorpe Road in the trial. The shopping area might have been included as it was another section of highway where the daytime average recorded speeds were only around 15 mph. This is, again, hardly surprising given the location of the pedestrian crossing, traffic lights and road junctions together with high congestion levels at peak times.

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A wall of chocolate tablets is the mouth-watering medium on which people can etch their tales for York Stories 2012 from 25-30 September as part of this year’s Festival of Food and Drink.

As part of York Stories 2012’s Sweet Thoughts project, the out-size cocoa bars are housed in York Cocoa House’s marquee at St. Sampson’s Square from 9am-5pm daily and people can write or draw on it as part of York 800’s drive to collect people’s stories, thoughts or memories for future generations to enjoy.

So, what was your favourite chocolate bar? Or your weekly sweet treat? Did or do you work in York’s confectionary industry and have something to share about that? Tell your Sweet Thoughts on York’s unique chocolate wall.

Anyone can draw on the wall. The work on the walls will be photographed during the wall’s life.

City of York Council is joining forces with cities across Europe, including Dijon and Helsinki, by engaging local businesses and residents in tackling climate change.

In partnership with York Environment Forum, the council is launching a campaign this week (Tuesday 25 September) called ENGAGEd! which aims to encourage businesses and residents to understand the implications of a changing climate and take action by building a sustainable energy future for York.

The campaign will create tailor-made posters of residents and businesses in the city taking real actions, and hopes to encourage others to engage.
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The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dr Vince Cable MP paid a visit to Nestlé York on Thursday to meet apprentices and see for himself the investment and transformation the site has undertaken in recent years.

The Nestlé York site is one of the World’s largest confectionery factories and over recent years been transformed in a world class facility producing up to 6 million chocolate bars a day. Nestlé has invested over £200 million into the site, £50 million in the last five years including a new AERO factory and upgraded KIT KAT wafer facility.

The Business Secretary Vince Cable was shown the Aero and Kit Kat factories where he met with Ed Wilson, and Jordan Phillips, engineering apprentices and Quintan Thornton who recently completed his apprenticeship and now a full time engineer. The apprentice programme is only one part of the Nestlé Academy launched nine months ago. Through the Academy, Nestlé UK & Ireland committed to double the number of graduates, apprentices and internships and supporting the economy through the training of skilled workers.

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City of York Council’s Eng-AGE 50+ Games will be kicking off next week and getting the ball rolling for a whole week of sporting opportunities for people over 50 years old.

The games aim to promote sporting opportunities across the city that are available for people aged over 50 to take part in, linked to the York 50+ Festival and supporting Move Week, an annual European-wide campaign which promotes wider participation in sport and physical activity by The International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) and its partners.

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Mayfield Grove nature reserve

Council officials are recommending to a meeting which will take place on Thursday that the open space in Mayfield Grove is managed by the York Natural Environment Trust (YNET).

The recommendation will come as a surprise and disappointment to the Chase Residents Association who had put forward a detailed plan which would have seen them manage a site which lies at the heart of their community.

Although YNET has experience in managing local nature conservation areas, the proposal does seem to fly in the face of both Council and Government policy which seeks to involve local residents in maintaining neighbourhood facilities.

An officer report confirms that land, to the rear of Hob Moor Terrace which was sold in error by Taylor Wimpey, has now been secured by the Council.

It is to be hoped that a compromise can be found which will utilise the expertise of YNET while fully harnessing the drive and enthusiasm shown by the Chase Residents group.

Thursday’s meeting is open to public who can register to speak if they wish.

Details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/Mayfield-27th-Sept-12

Criminals are living it up at our expense – Why should they?

North Yorkshire Police is launching the 2012 Why should they? campaign today (21 September 2012) with another £25,000 of criminals’ cash up for grabs.

The Police media release reads, “This is the third year in a row that the force has made the cash available to local good causes, having seized it from crooks who have made money from their crimes.

Between Friday 21 September and 31 October 2012, non-profit making organisations, charities, volunteer and community groups whose work makes a positive contribution to reducing crime or anti-social behaviour can apply for up to £3,000 from the fund.

The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) allows the police to take money and assets from criminals such as drug dealers, fraudsters and thieves if they have gained them as result of their criminal activity.

Over the last two financial years, North Yorkshire Police’s Financial Investigation Unit seized more than £2.3m from criminals under POCA. Some of this money is returned to North Yorkshire Police and other criminal justice partners, and it is by using some of this cash that the Why should they? campaign can help local communities.

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