Call for review of 20 mph speed limits in York

Study in London finds wide area 20 mph limits have led to an INCREASE in average vehicle speeds

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Hot on the heels of revelations that accident rates have increased in some City’s where wide area 20 mph speed limits have been introduced now comes news that average vehicle speeds may also be increasing.

The main objection to the York Councils £600,000 programme of 20 mpg speed signs has been that it would have little, if any,effect on driver behaviour.

If the effect is neutral then there would be little point in throwing good money after bad next year when a new Council would have to decide whether to pay for the signs to be removed (other than from accident blackspots and locations like school entrances where there is a higher risk of an accident)

If any of the following tests are not satisfied the – post Labour – Council would have little option than to consult residents about changing the speed limits back to the default 30 mph

  1. If accident levels on areas, with the new limit, increase
  2. If vehicle speeds on the roads increase
  3. If police enforcement time is diverted way from other locations with a higher accident potential.

The York Council has been reluctant to report on the effects that the wide area speed limit in the Bishopthorpe Road area have had.

A Freedom of information request will reveal whether average speeds have reduced and to what extent.

Residents will also want to know whether any of the, increased number of, serious accidents which occurred in the City last year took place on roads with a 20 mph limit. (Most accidents in the York area occur on trunk roads or are slow speed impacts in the City centre).

All in all it seems to be time for the Council to provide residents with more feedback on their controversial project..

Lendal Bridge fine refunds confirmed

Lendal ManConfusion over process continues

The York Council confirmed yesterday that it will refund the fines levied on Lendal Bridge during the 6 month closure trial.

However controversy continues as the Council does not intend to proactively tell those affected that they are entitled to a refund!

Labour Councillors claim that social and commercial media will be used to alert claimants but – with as long as 12 months having elapsed since some of the fines were issued and in many cases to drivers from other parts of the UK and Europe – most are unlikely to ever hear about the need to apply for a refund.

The Council should agree to write to every driver telling them of their right to claim a rebate and how to go about doing so

The Council have withdrawn their appeal against the “unlawful” ruling on Lendal Bridge.

They are continuing to pursue an appeal on Coppergate where no fine notices have been issued since April.

 

Arriva Yorkshire first to secure five star Eco rating

Arriva Yorkshire has become the first bus operator in England to secure a five star Eco Stars rating after signing up to City of York Council’s York Eco Stars fleet recognition scheme.

 

Arriva bus

Arriva has signed up 15 of their vehicles that operate in the York area to the scheme. This means that 45 operators are now part of the scheme with nearly 3000 vehicles signed up and individually assessed.

The ECO Stars (Efficient and Cleaner Operations) Fleet Recognition Scheme helps York’s fleet operators gain recognition for their commitment to improving efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and reducing emissions – all helping to improve local air quality.

The scheme awards each member a star rating based on an assessment of how ‘clean’ their vehicle fleet is and how they demonstrate good practice in key areas of:

  • · Fuel management
  • · Developing driver skills
  • · Vehicle specification and maintenance
  • · Use of IT support systems
  • · Fleet performance monitoring

 

Key to the ECO Stars scheme is the bespoke ‘road map’, an action plan developed for each new member to help them take steps to improve their star rating. The ‘road map’ will highlight any issues and advise members on how to combat them, such as alternative fuel or technology that is available.
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York first in Yorkshire to get rapid car charging points

York is the first city in Yorkshire to  run rapid car charging points. The rapid charging points can fill a car from flat to 80 per cent charged in just 20 minutes using high power 50kW chargers.

Charging points

Charging points

The rapid chargers will work by using either a swipe card or by downloading a free app, both of which are available from  ‘Charge Your Car’. The charging points are located at the Sports Village and Poppleton Bar (outside electric bus operating hours). They will also support the use of electric buses and taxis in the city.
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Another day, another missed deadline

Continuing road works, lane closures and car park construction at Poppleton Bar 1st August 2014

Continuing road works, lane closures and car park construction at Poppleton Bar 1st August 2014

Poppleton – Road works continue

Despite absolute guarantees given at the last Council meeting -that the A59/A1237 road works and Park and Ride construction would be finished by the end of July – work is still in full swing today.

There are lane restrictions, big tail backs on the A59 and temporary traffic signals.

Footpaths have still to be completed and there is no sign of the permanent traffic lights which were due to be installed at the Park and Ride site junction.

The Park and Ride site itself is also far from finished.

The Council can’t blame poor weather for a project which is now over 4 months behind its scheduled (final) completion date.

Confirmed – numbers killed or seriously Injured on Yorks roads increased in 2013

Labour refuse to set improvement target

 

 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
KSI 60 62 63 51

58

The York Council has confirmed that the number of serious injury accidents on York’s road s increased by 14% last year.

The Cabinet member who now has responsibility for accident reduction in the City has refused to set a target for accident reduction this year.

The number of accidents has reduced over the last 7 years from a high of 95 – a figure which gave rise to the “95 alive” campaign which saw a sustained reduction in accident levels.

The latest increase –and Labour’s reaction – does suggest that they have taken their “eye off the ball” and have spent too much money on the ineffective roll out of 20 mph speed limits.

Electric car charging points in York used 212 times in 8 months.

Toyota Prius Plus

Toyota Prius Plus

The six electric vehicle charging points installed by City of York Council in Council car parks and Park&Ride sites have been used 212 times since activation in October 2013.

  • 62001 – 35 uses
  • 62002 – 45 uses
  • 62003 – 23 uses
  • 62004 – 85 uses
  • 62005 – 9 uses
  • 62006 – 24 uses

Usage by Council of electric pool car is on-site at Ecodepot, not public charge point so the usage has been by private residents/visitors/businesses.