Observations over the last 8 weeks have found that congestion at the A1237/A19 junction has substantially reduced since the newly remodelled roundabout was opened. For the first time for several years there is now “free flow” for vehicles travelling west to east through the junction – other than at peak periods. Delays on the A19 have also been substantially reduced.
East to west delays are also down but the main relief for this journey will only be realised when the A59 roundabout is also enlarged. This part of the scheme is dependant on funding for the “Access York” Park and Ride programme which is currently being assessed by central government. A decision is expected towards the end of the year.
There was a lot of opposition to improving the A1237 from Labour and Green councillors. They were wrong in this case.
Similarly, the improvements at the Blossom Street/Queen Street junction have reduced delays and traffic engineers in the City can take a lot of credit for both schemes. They maximise the capacity of a highways network which , in York, is always going to be constrained by the historic layout of our streets, the rivers and – of course –the level of funding available for improvements

The City’s economy has changed beyond recognition over the last decade. A declining manufacturing base had been replaced by expansion in Technology and Higher Education. The tourism sector has shown sustained growth.
As a result, on average, 300 additional jobs have been created each year and unemployment levels continue to be well below the regional and national average. Our economy has been more resilient to the recession, and its outfall, than any other in the north of England.
It is surprising therefore that the Chamber of Commerce should today sound a panic warning highlighting an apparent conflict between conservation of our built and natural environment and commercial growth.
There is no reason why there should be conflict. Indeed, one of the reasons that key investors relocate to York is because of its environment.
There is a significant reliance on the public sector in the City. However, many of these jobs are in – or associated with – Higher Education. That deserves to be identified in a separate – presently less vulnerable – sector of the economy. It is certainly one that is spawning a range of new businesses. Increasing numbers of graduates are looking to make their permanent homes in a City which already has a more highly skilled workforce than its competitors.
Ironically the Chamber cites the controversy over the Union Terrace car and coach park as a sign of lack of a will to encourage the private sector. Yet the expansion of St John’s would effectively mean an even higher proportion of public sector jobs in the City. In any event, most commentators – although not as yet the council’s Labour Leadership – now accept that both parking and additional floor space for St Johns can both be accommodated on the site (and nearby).
In an article in today’s Yorkshire Post, Micklegate ward Labour councillor Julie Gunnell claims – without any evidence – that York had “missed” expansion opportunities in the past. Maybe so. But isn’t this the same Councillor who campaigned so stridently against the redevelopment of the old Terry’s factory site? Delays to that project pushed the eventual approval of planning permission into a period when the economic cycle was in decline. Hence much of the site is effectively now mothballed.
It will be interesting to see how entrepreneurs line up on the Oakgate proposals for Monks Cross. The project would see a new Marks and Spencers (home ware) shop established together with either a new Sainsbury’s or a John Lewis store. Most publicity so far has been about the community benefits – most notably the provision of a Sports Stadium – but over 500 permanent new jobs could also be created by the development.
The planning application will be the first key test for a new Planning Committee which will need to balance community interests, including the viability of the retail sector in the city centre, with what is a rare large scale investment opportunity.

This free event will take place on Sunday 21 August and will feature a variety of fun races for local residents, as well as competitive races for amateur and professional cyclists. Competitors will follow a route that runs through the heart of the historic city and promises to be an action-packed evening for both competitors and spectators.
Amateur competitive cyclists from across the region will go head to head towards the end of the evening in an Elite race, which looks set to attract professional riders from across the UK, will provide a thrilling finale.
Also an opportunity to make a day of it – visit the Latin Festival in the Quarter (the Swinegate area) or the Lord Mayor’s Children’s fun day in the Duncombe Place area – something for all the family! Visit: http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/

Several local issues have been raised with the Council. They include:

Tickets and further information available from Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre
Tel. 01904 552651 email acomb.library@york.gov.uk

Edward Marston & Judith Cutler
Wednesday 10th August Time 7.00pm
Price £4.00 (YorkCard) or £5.00 An evening with Edward Marston and his wife, fellow crime author Judith Cutler. Edward Marston is the hugely successful Inspector Colbeck Railway Detective series, The Restoration mysteries and the historical adventures of Captain Rawson Judith Cutler is the author of five series of Birmingham-based crime novels. Her latest book ‘Guilty Pleasures’ is a Linda Townsend mystery.

Join the Crime Team, with Steve Skidmore
Friday 12th August 11.00 – 12 noon
Suitable for 8 – 12 year olds £2 per person or £5 per family (maximum 2 adults and 3 children). Join author Steve Skidmore as he tells us all about his new series “Crime Team”. Help him to solve the clues and crack the mystery. We need you there. Only you can prevent disaster!

It is difficult to see a happy outcome now for the Union Terrace saga.
A little more patience and a compromise with broad support might have been found.
Now the scheme looks to be heading for the law courts although not until the item has been “called in” for scrutiny (the Leadership don’t have to respect any criticisms that may result from that process) and subsequently the formal consideration of the public consultation exercise (which is devalued because it excludes the “no sale” option)
The Councils consultation document can be found at http://www.york.gov.uk/council/consultations/current/
It’s a shame, what has happened, because the Council did have a way of resolving competing priorities, with the full involvement of residents and other stakeholders, through the LDF local plan process.
I have been asked to publish my statement on my knowledge of St Johns ambitions and the timeline which led up to the sale proposal being tabled by the Council’s Labour Leadership. I am happy to do so below.

In the interests of transparency the minutes of the Labour Group meeting, which decided not to include in the Councils forthcoming consultation exercise the option of not selling Union Terrace car/coach park, are reproduced below. Kersten England’s interpretation, of events leading up to James Alexander’s announcement on June 18th that the car/coach park was to be sold to St Johns, are disputed. (see next article)

Hugh Bayley MP has acknowledged that he was mistaken when claiming that the Union Terrace sale had been under discussion for 18 months. He has promised to write again to all those who received his letter, containing the bogus information, clarifying what really happened.

Separately the St Johns Vice Chancellor has written to confirm our understanding of the timetable which led up to the matter being coded. He says in an Email to me,
“I am sorry, I think Hugh must have mis heard/understood me when we talked recently, my apologies if I wasn’t clear. I took up post in June 2010.
I first talked to council officers about the idea in the autumn of last year. Regular and detailed discussions took place from early this year between my colleagues at York St John and Council officers.
I also recollect we had a discussion in the spring of this year, can’t remember the event, where we touched on the subject of Union Terrace. This was , I think, our first discussion on the issue.
Hope this helps and apologies for any unintended misunderstanding”.

York Central Labour MP Hugh Bayley has been writing to some constituents claiming that the sale of Union Terrace has been under discussion for “18 months”. In the letter to a constituent (see below) he claims that I met with St Johns Vice Chancellor David Fleming in “January 2010” to discuss the Universities expansion plans.
That would have been a truly remarkable achievement on both our parts as David Fleming only took up his post at St John’s 6 months later in June 2010.
I have invited Hugh Bayley to retract his, obviously bogus, claims.
It just goes to show though how the truth has been the main victim of this ill considered project.

Although Labour have decided not to give residents the option of “no sale” when consultation starts shortly on the Union Terrace issue, it is apparent that their party is divided on the issue.
What has been forgotten is that there are many other controversial proposals that they have in the pipeline. Having endorsed the Simpson “Beautiful City” report, with what seemed indecent haste last year, the Labour Leadership know that they now have to deliver a traffic free “Great Street” – with a tram link (!) – amongst other things.
Car parking will be a big issue as the Councils local plan approaches completion. The Haymarket car park is already on the Council “for sale” list and several groups want to see the Castle car park grassed over.
The Council’s current policy – agreed in 2009 when all 3 major parties backed it – is to retain broadly the same number of parking spaces in the City centre as exist now. This hasn’t been changed by the new administration so one wonders where these spaces will come from?
The Council now needs to pause. It needs to have a clear and practical vision of where its wants to be with the City centre in the short and long term.
One piece of good news for James Alexander though. I understand that he took second place in the George Michael look alike contest over the weekend. Congratulations!