Woodthorpe school gets this one wrong

Walking bus

Walking bus

The media are reporting that Woodthorpe school is trying to charge parents whose children use the “walking bus”  to get to and from the school.

Given the amount of money being spent to encourage children to walk (rather than be driven on the “school run) this seems a shortsighted policy.

Walking is healthier and minimises the, sometimes chaotic, parking problems which occur around many school entrances. 

If the school can’t bear the organisational costs of the project then the York Council would be wise to intervene.

The Council is spending a lot of money on low profile videos and surveys aimed at encouraging walking and cycling. The money might be better spent supporting initiatives like the walking bus.

The Councils advice on setting up and running a walking bus can be downloaded by clicking here

Where next with flashing speed signs?

The Council says it is reviewing the use of Vehicle Activated Signs.

These signs, which typically flash the prevailing speed limit to approaching vehicles, were introduced in York about 10 years ago.

Flashing speed signs indicating those that are afulty

Flashing speed sign locations indicating those that are faulty

York locations where speed is a concern Click to enlarge

York locations where speed is a concern Click to enlarge

They are now seen across the country with many now using a system which alerts drivers to their actual speed.

Sadly the Council has not maintained the signs in York and several have not been working for many months.

Those that are faulty include the sign on Wetherby Road on the outbound carriageway. This was a problem location with the blind bend making it potentially hazardous  for drivers reversing into their driveways.

A report to a meeting next week identifies £50,000 which will be used to repair the faulty signs. The signs have had some success as anyone, who watches vehicles approaching an illuminated sign, will often see brake lights being applied by speeding drivers.

List of street where layout changes are proposed. Click to enlarge

List of street where layout changes are proposed. Click to enlarge

We think that a trial, where the actual speed of the vehicle is displayed, should be implemented  in the City.

There is also now a “smart” sign available which records the actual speed of passing vehicles (but not the identity) which would give traffic engineers valuable information about behaviours but without the need to set up special equipment.

Another  concern is the suggestion that the signs may only be used where an accident has been reported in the previous three years.  

Whereas accident locations should get priority for signs and camera enforcement, we believe that sites where a significant proportion of vehicles exceed the 30 mph limit, would also justify maintenance of the signs.

The report proposes action to reduce speeding at 16 sites.  Most involve low cost lane marking changes. A complete list of detailed proposals for all locations can be viewed by clicking here

A list of sites to be reassessed – which includes Green Lane and Askham Lane – can be viewed by clicking here

There are three roads – including Moor Lane in Woodthorpe and two roads in Copmanthorpe – which have acknowledged speeding issues which have still to be addressed

Wetherby Road

At Wetherby Road officials propose the introduction of cycle lanes.

 They don’t claim that there are large numbers of cyclists using this section of the highway (a new off road route for cyclists linking Rufforth was opened recently) but they claim that lanes – and the removal of central markings – would prompt drivers to be more cautious.

We have our doubts about that.

As a minimum, we would like to see the area added to the rota of visits by the Police speed camera van.

The faulty speed warning sign also needs to be repaired quickly.

Wetherby Road proposed highway layout changes click to enlarge

Wetherby Road proposed highway layout changes click to enlarge

12 month gap in York Councils speed check data …… accident levels up

A report to a Council meeting taking place next week has admitted that there have been no vehicle speed checks undertaken in the City for over 12 months.
Serious road traffic accident levels in York up during last three years

Serious road traffic accident levels in York up during last three years

The equipment is used to build up a picture of the speeds that traffic using specific roads has apparently been faulty.  The equipment is normally used by the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service although its maintenance (and replacement) rests with the Police Commissioners Office in Northallerton.

Roads awaiting speed monitoring equipment Click to access

Roads awaiting visit from  speed monitoring equipment Click to access

Judging by published meeting minutes, the issue of the missing equipment does not appear to have been discussed by any committee of either the Police or Fire Authorities. It is mentioned only by the York Council in an annual speed management update.  Money taken from speeding fines was used to purchase new equipment in July although “teething problems” prevented it being used for three months.

There is a backlog of 45 sites where speed surveys are required. Some date back 2 years.

The Police have continued to use their camera vans to monitor “problem” locations but they rarely use them for “reassurance” visits roads like Green Lane and Wetherby Road.  20 mph speed limits

Residents remain concerned about vehicles speeds (in both locations vehicle activated warning signs are in operation – and they are triggered by about 25% of passing vehicles).

The Council promises that the results of all speed checks will in future be made available publicly on a “Traffic Bureau web site”.

An electronic form which would allow residents to report speeding concerns was promised over 5 years ago. Officials claim that its introduction is now imminent.

Pupils get in to gear with cycle training

 cycle dog Funny-Cycling-291Pupils at Hempland Primary School have proved they are wheelie good at riding their bikes after becoming the first pupils in York to receive advanced cycle training thanks to a partnership with City of York Council’s Road Safety Team.

The training is part of the Bikeability National Standard Training Course. Pupils at Hempland school were able to take part in a combined Level 1 and 2 course in year 5 and Level 3 training was offered to year 6 pupils.  Level 3 training see’s pupils learn the skills to cycle on busier roads, navigate complex road systems, understand road position and decision making.

(more…)

City centre access review by York Council

A number of options to “help further improve city centre access for pedestrians and give greater clarity of the restrictions to motorists” will be discussed on 12 November .

The Council’s last attempt to tinker with access arrangements ended in a farce as the closure of Lendal Bridge and Coppergate both had to be abandoned.
Coppergate - Time to move on

Coppergate – Time to move on

The Council’s Executive agreed last week to reinstate the access restriction  times of 8:00am to 6:00pm on Coppergate (although they will apply 7 days a week).

It remains unclear whether spy cameras will be deployed again to enforce restrictions.

The Council report  says, “York has one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe, which creates a safer and more attractive city centre for residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors.”

City of York Council carried out a review of its city centre pedestrian zone in 2012, which identified a number of improvements to help reduce city centre through traffic and ensure pedestrians continued to have safe access.

Building on this review, further proposals outlined at the time are now being put forward for consideration to simplify restrictions in the pedestrian zone further and create a better understanding of the traffic regulations in this area (e.g. loading and unloading times),

These include:

  • Extending loading and unloading times either side of the pedestrian zone to 7am (previously 8am) to 10.30am and 5pm to 7pm (previously 6pm). This will give delivery drivers more time and greater priority over general traffic.
  • Unify the access restrictions outside the pedestrian and loading only hours (as above). This will ensure drivers have more clarity on restriction timings whilst aiming to help reducing the volume of traffic in the city centre in the early evening and through the night.
  • Extend the road closure at the Nessgate / Spurriergate into the evening or through the night. Also investigate extending the period of time when the bollards are in place, to either reopen at some point during the evening or in the early hours of the morning.
  • Review the Blue Badge and Green Permit holders access in the pedestrian zone and reviewing the Piccadilly / Pavement / Stonebow vehicle access and enforcement.
  • Investigating vehicle access and enforcement on Piccadilly / Pavement / Stonebow / Fossgate / St. Saviourgate. These recommendations would tie in with the outcome of the Coppergate proposals, which will improve driver compliance with the regulations and reduce general traffic on key public transport routes through the city centre.

(more…)

City-wide traffic signal replacement scheme for York

York’s ageing traffic signals are set for a complete overhaul – the largest scheme the city has seen in over 20-years.Press 17th Oct traffic lights

Overdue really as we have been reporting increasing problems with traffic light reliability over the last 3 years.

A report will be taken to a Transport and Planning Decision Session on Thursday 12 November to ask the Executive Member to give the green light to implement a new five-year replacement roll-out.

The last major overhaul of York’s traffic signals was in the mid 1990s with the introduction of the city’s new Urban Traffic Control system (UTC), which controls the city’s transport network.

Over the years, City of York Council’s priority has been to repair immediate maintenance issues, to ensure that the safety and general reliability of the city’s signals requirements are met.

As such, signals have only been replaced on an ad-hoc basis as isolated schemes, or as part of larger improvement projects, such as the works on Boroughbridge Road for the new Poppleton Bar Park&Ride service. However, a recent detailed ‘condition survey’ which inspected the age and condition of every traffic signal in the city found some to be in poor or end of life condition.

This highlighted that there is a need for significant investment and to address this, the authority is proposing to take a new approach.

The council is proposing to replace approximately half of the 122 traffic signals and 54 pedestrian crossings in the city over a five-year rolling programme with modern equipment.

Work has already been undertaken at numerous traffic signal sites across the city, and the rollout will help to further address the backlog of maintenance and ensure the signals continue to operate at the level required.
(more…)

Improved cycle links introduced on Monks Cross route

City of York Council is carrying out works to introduce improved off-road cycle facilities and provide a new crossing and resurfaced road on a busy route leading to one of York’s top retail and business destinations.

road worksThe first phase of works started this week on Jockey Lane, leading to Monks Cross, which is programmed to last up to six weeks.

Works involve modifications to the kerb lines and improvements to the southern footway between The Range store and Sainsbury’s, which will widen the footway to accommodate shared use by cyclists and pedestrians. A new zebra crossing will also be introduced near the Sainsbury’s store entrance.
(more…)

Police urge bikers and drivers to keep safe

“We are getting towards the end of the motorbike season and for many bikers it’s been a great season – they have got lots of miles in and confidence is up.

Motorcycle crash

 Over the summer we have had a lower number of biker deaths than we have seen over recent years, which is great news. So it’s really sad to say that already this autumn we have seen four bikers die in road accidents in North Yorkshire.

If you are thinking about getting the leathers on and going out for the last few weekends of good light and good weather, please do take care. Read the road, slow down for junctions and be particularly careful on bends and when overtaking.   Also to keep safe assume that other road users haven’t seen you.

Insp Dave Barf of the Roads Policing Group said – ‘I want you to enjoy your driving and rides on the roads in North Yorkshire.  Most importantly I want you to go home at the end of your trips to enjoy your homes and families. Please treat the roads and other road users with the respect that you yourself would expect.’

‘Car drivers should make sure that they make good observation and take account of motorcycles.  Check your mirrors before altering position or turning.  Bikers keep an eye on the vehicles around you.  Expect the unexpected and don’t assume you’ve been seen”.’

Free safety training for York primary school children

City of York Council is offering York primary school students’ free pedestrian safety training in partnership with the region wide 95 Alive campaign.

Green cross code“Between April and July 2015 nearly 800 children received this vital pedestrian training and over 300 children have already benefitted from training since the start of the new academic year.”

The pedestrian training is delivered by City of York Road Safety Instructors and teaches children aged from 7 – 9 how to be safer pedestrians. Road Safety Instructors take children out onto roads and show them how the right decision-making and behaviour can really help them to keep safe and is the start of life long learning about road safety.

During the training children are helped to recognise dangers and hazards and identify alternative crossing places, they are also taught about using different crossings correctly. Pupils are taught to use the Green Cross Code, with the key words being Stop Look and Listen. Children are also encouraged to wear something bright when crossing roads particularly on dark mornings and after school.

For more information on road safety visit www.itravelyork.info/journey-planning/road-safety-and-skills/

Cllr Ian Gillies, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said: “Road safety training with school pupils is an important part of their learning. By teaching pupils to keep safe and negotiate risks on the roads it gives them essential skills that they will continue to use for years to come.