St Helens Road will be closed for (what seems like) its quarterly dose of road works
This time it is repairs to the gas mains.
The road will be closed between 1st and 14th March
(& yes they will be digging up the section of road that was resurfaced last summer)
Hopes were raised last year when the York Council established a second pothole filling team in the City. It was hoped that the initiative would at least slow the rapidly deteriorating condition of highways in the City.
Expectations were further raised when the Department of Transport allocated part of its “Pothole challenge fund” to the City.
Sadly, the hoped-for improvements have not materialised.
Many highways are breaking up under the impact of ice and frost. A well-maintained surface is less vulnerable to frost damage but lack of urgency in patching roads in the summer and autumn, means that large stretches are now unsafe for users.
Now hidden within a large report, being considered by the Council later this week, is a proposal which would see less spent on resurfacing.
£600,000 will be taken from pothole filling/resurfacing and instead used to partly fund new schemes like the cycle path link from Wheldrake to Fulford.
Even the most extreme pro cycling campaigners are now realising that maintaining existing paths should be the Councils priority when funds are limited.
The existing cycle and highway networks are in poor condition. Why not fix them first before building more paths?
Sadly, one of the reasons seems to be that highway resurfacing activity is not very glamourous.
There will be no official naming of the pothole that Andy filled in.
On the other hand, a new path may – for a while – attract favourable publicity for its sponsors, at least until it too needs to be resurfaced.
Separately, the same report says that
Work can begin this Autumn to create a fitting gateway to York after plans to transform the railway station entrance planning committee approved.
The plans to modernise the arrival to the station include removing Queen Street bridge, which hasn’t been needed since trains stopped passing under it in the 1960s. Removing the bridge will create space for vastly improved access for all modes of transport while revealing hidden sections of the city’s historic walls.
The scheme has been developed by the Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Network Rail and LNER.
The plans will change and improve the entrance to the railway station in order to:
Ageing and outdated traffic signals at the Crichton Avenue and Wigginton Road junction are set to be replaced from next week, by City of York Council.
Ageing and outdated traffic signals at the Crichton Avenue and Wigginton Road junction are set to be replaced from next week, by City of York Council.
Works are estimated to take around six weeks to complete and will start on Monday 8 February. Works were initially due to start in January, but were postponed due to the impact of lockdown.
New, more reliable, traffic signals will be installed on the junction of Crichton Avenue and Wigginton Road. Layout changes are being made to make the junction work more efficiently, this will include introducing new pedestrian crossings, extended double yellow lines on the ‘access road’, kerb line changes and removing the small pedestrian island on Crichton Avenue.
The new traffic signals will be cheaper to run and more reliable. It will also enable the new systems to link direct to the council’s Traffic and Control Centre, so that the Network Monitoring Officers can manage the flow of traffic better in busy periods by adjusting traffic lights to best suit traffic conditions.
To help minimise disruption work will be carried out from 9am to 4.30pm during the week and also will take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm. Temporary signals replicating, as closely as possible, the current operation of the junction will be in place throughout the works.
During the works it is anticipated that there will be significant delays when travelling through the junction.
Those using the junction are urged to plan ahead, allow more time for journeys on these routes and to consider alternatives and to use public transport where possible. Bus services will be operating as normal for the majority of the works but passengers are advised to visit the iTravel website for more information.
Some temporary footway closures will be in place to allow works to be undertaken, however, full access will be retained to all businesses and properties during construction and pedestrian and cyclist routes through the works will be clearly signed. Access to and from the Foss Islands foot/cycleway will be maintained at all times throughout the works.
To find out more about the scheme visit this website.
City of York Council will be carrying out essential roadworks on key roads in York including Hamilton Drive East, Huntington Road and Haxby Road throughout February and March.
City of York Council will be carrying out essential roadworks on key roads in York including Hamilton Drive East, Huntington Road and Haxby Road throughout February and March.
The following works are being undertaken:
Hamilton Drive East:
Works will take place overnight on Monday 8 February (weather permitting) between 7.30pm to midnight.
In order to carry out the work safely, the road will need to be closed for the duration of the works from, but not including, the junction of Holgate Road up to, but not including, the junction of Barbara Grove. The road will be fully open outside of works times.
Huntington Road:
Works will start from Monday 8 March for a period of two weeks (weather permitting) between 7.30pm to 5am.
The works have been split in to two phases to minimise disruption:
Phase 1 – Road closed from, but not including, the junction of Ramsey Close up to, but not including, the junction of Fossway / Haley’s Terrace. This work is scheduled Monday 8 March until Friday 12 March.
During phase 1 Bus Service 14 will divert via Heworth Green, Dodsworth Avenue and Fossway in both directions.
Phase 2 – Complete closure of the junction of Huntington Rd / Haley’s Terrace and Fossway. Somerset Road will also be closed. This work is scheduled Monday 15 March until Friday 19 March.
During phase 2 Bus Services 5/5A will divert via Haxby Road and Link Rd in both directions (not serving Haley’s Terrace or Huntington Rd). Bus Service 14 will divert via Heworth Green, Malton Rd, Elmfield Ave, Monkton Rd and Byland Ave in both directions (not serving Huntington Rd between Monkgate roundabout and Byland Ave junction).
In addition to the above, kerbing and drainage works will take place on Monday 1 March for a period of five days working 9.15am – 4pm. These works will be carried out under local traffic management, will not affect access/egress and the road will be open as normal. Parking will be suspended in sections to enable us to carry out the works.
Haxby Road:
Works will start from Monday 22 March for a period of five nights (weather permitting) between 7.30pm – 5am.
In order to carry out the work safely, the use of a full road closure from, but not including, the junction of Walpole Street up to, and including, the junction of Rose Street will be necessary whilst works are taking place.
The bollards at Fountayne Street and Vyner Street will be removed during the hours of works to allow residents access and egress via Wigginton Road.
Bus Services 1, 5 and 5A will divert via Lord Mayor’s Walk, Monkgate and Huntington Road.
In addition to the above, kerbing and drainage works will take place from 15 February for a period of five days working 9.15am – 4pm.
During all of the above schemes, road closures may be necessary to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for both local residents, the travelling public and the contractor. Site staff will be on hand to advise and assist residents about any access restrictions once the works are ongoing.
If on-street parking is suspended residents have been notified in advance. Parking may be suspected during the hours of the works for the full duration, but specific access requirements can be arranged by speaking to the site Traffic Management Operatives, who will coordinate with residents (and business requirements) around the ongoing work operations.
The contractor will be operating under social distancing guidance wherever possible due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.
Emergency services will be permitted through the works at all times. However, please note that cyclists will be required to dismount and push their bikes along the footways.
As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to the public. However, the contractor will at all times try to keep any disruption to a minimum.
For more info about current roadworks in York visit our website.
The current icy spell is taking its toll on poorly maintain road and path surfaces. The Council recently agred to undertake some repairs on teb potholed – and well used – section of Foxwood Lane near the sports area. The work has yet to be completed and the potholes continue to pose a hazard particularly for users of two wheeled transport.
The Council promised to repair damaged roads, paths and verges when the building works on Newbury Avenue and Ascot Way were completed. There is little sign of progress.
Traffic lights are in operation on Askham Lane at its junction with Tedder Road. Yorkshire Water are attempting – not for the first time – to deal with a recurrent leak near the bus stop.
The lockdown restrictions mean there is little impact on traffic volumes which are very light (and most buses are running empty).
It looks like more may emerge over the Councils blunder in resurfacing Tadcaster Road in the summer and then deciding to dig it up again in the autumn.
In total over £5.5 million is being spent on the road with Northern Gas networks currently installing a new supply pipe along one side of the road.
When this work is completed the Council intends to lay new, surface water, drains.
The Councils scheme is being funded from a grant announced in June by the government. The announcement came a few days after the initial resurfacing scheme had been completed.
At the time there was some scepticism that York Council officials had not communicated with their DpT counterparts and explained that the work had been completed. We commented on the plans earlier in the year.
Now correspondence has been unearthed which suggests that the Northern Gas Network repairs were known to the Council in February (before the resurfacing contract was let). An email says that the gas main would need replacing within 5 years.
It is one of several in west York that will need to be upgraded before 2026 as metal pipes are replaced with plastic. They are shown in purple on the plan.
An internal Council Email dated 2nd July confirmed that Tadcaster Road would be dug up again. It gave utilities a second chance to get their work done before the Council moved in again.
It was a response to this invitation which led to the current Northern Gas works, which are due to be completed in February.
We suspect that – like several other transport schemes – officials were keen to use the first lockdown period to get disruptive works out of the way while traffic levels were light.
Although the right approach in principle, it led to corners being cut and, in this case, has resulted in a substantial waste of taxpayers’ money.
We understand that the Foxwood Lane/Askham Lane roundabout will be closed for roadworks from 7:30pm to 5:00am on Nov 9th-11th. This includes the section of Foxwood Lane up to Otterwood Lane.
The Number 4 bus route will be diverted
No notice has been given to the residents association or neighbours of these plans
A Council reports says,
“City of York Council will be carrying out road maintenance works at Askham Lane commencing on 9th November 2020 for a period of 3 nights (weather permitting). The works will be carried out between 7.30pm – 5.00am
To carry out the work safely, the use of a full road closure on Askham Lane and Foxwood Lane will be necessary.
This is to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for both local residents, the travelling public and the contractor. Site staff will be on hand to advise and assist residents about any access restrictions once the works are ongoing.
The contractor will be operating under social distancing guidance wherever possible due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, and has permission from the local authority to undertake this essential work at this time. Your co-operation throughout the duration of the works will be much appreciated.
All on-street parking will be suspended during the hours of the works for the full duration, but specific access requirements can be arranged by speaking to the site Traffic Management Operatives, who will coordinate with residents (and business requirements) around the ongoing work operations.
Bus Service 4 will be diverted straight along Gale Lane, not serving stops on Foxwood Lane, Askham Lane or Cornlands Rd.
Emergency services will be permitted through the works in any situation. However, please note that cyclists will be required to dismount and push their bikes along the footways.
As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to the public. However, the contractor will at all times try to keep any disruption to a minimum”.
Work on resurfacing part of Cornlands Road was delayed yesterday because of weather conditions. More rain is forecast for tomorrow (Thursday)
The resurfacing contractors are expected to move on to Gale Lane next week
It is disappointing to see that repairs to the verge at the junction of Kingsway West and Newbury Avenue have not been completed. The damage was caused by large delivery lorries trying to access the (now completed) bungalow building site. We expected the reinstatement to be completed before the bungalows were occupied.
Elsewhere, electrical cable works on Dijon Avenue are taking a long time to complete. This means more nuisance and inconvenience for residents living in the area who also have to put up with the mud generated by vehicles accessing the Lowfield development site.
