The latest bus map can be viewed by clicking here
First are currently reviewing their routes in the light of the results of recent public consultation.
Changes are expected in the autumn.
Road accidents in West York
Following the revelation on this site a couple of months ago that the largest number of road traffic accidents were occurring on roads where the proposed 20 mph speed limit would not apply, the responsible Councillor (Dave Merrett) was asked at the last Council meeting
“How much funding he intend to devote to reducing the number of accidents on roads in west York where there are no plans to introduce a 20mph limit, what schemes will this funding be used for, and what reduction in the annual toll of casualties can we expect to see as a result of this investment?”
In total of 334 accidents – including 35 where the victims were killed or seriously injured – had occurred on these roads over the last 4 years.
The roads with the worst records are Tadcaster Road (48 accidents), Boroughbridge Road (33)Holgate Road (30), Poppleton Road (16), Thanet Road (15), Gale Lane (15), York Road (14), Askham Lane (13), Moor Lane (13), Beckfield Lane (12), Acomb Road (11) and Front Street (10).
In response Cllr Merrett admitted that there would be no additional road safety investment in the area during the present year.
“Our 13/14 local safety scheme programme does not include any cluster sites in the west York area, which tends to suggest the roads in this are experiencing low accidents numbers, which is a considered to be a consequence of the work we have done in the area over recent years”.
He highlighted the work done to improve safety at the Askham Lane/Moor Lane/A 1237 junction by the last Liberal Democrat led Council.
The roundabout there has resulted in a reduction in the number of accidents at that location.
Bus consultation “Yes”, facts “No”
A Council spokesman was asked at the last meeting to agree to bus service reliability stats being published.
“Would the Cabinet Member join with me in congratulating First York on arranging to consult with passengers before deciding what changes to introduce to routes in the autumn, and would he also join with me in urging First to publish the service reliability data that it holds for each route to ensure an informed discussion on the need for changes?”
The response was cautious
“We understand that First will be looking to implement changes resulting from the consultation over the coming months and we look forward to working with them and with the City’s other bus operators to deliver a local bus network which better meets the needs of York’s residents”.
And Monty Python would have been proud of the response to the question on reliability,
“With regard to service reliability data, First operates services on a commercial basis, and continue to regard this data as commercially sensitive.
Certainly this data is key to understanding how services might be improved and the Council will continue to work with First and with other bus operators, to encourage them to demonstrate, including to the public, that network improvements are evidence based and that any changes made produce improvements.
So that’s a “No” then!
Lendal bridge – figures begin to trickle out
Lendal bridge – always been busy at 5;00pm
Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Firth managed to squeeze the following information out of the Council at its last meeting.
“During the closure period on Lendal Bridge, what will be the average increase in:
• Mileage
• Journey time
• Cost
for private car drivers who otherwise would have used the bridge?”
The answer was:
Your question cannot be answered with certainty – that is why we are undertaking the trial.
However the worst case scenario from the modelling work that was undertaken, which ignores, positive transfers to alternative forms of transport that we and coalition Government policy supports, shifts in times of travel, etc., indicates a 0.82% increase in km travelled, but is based on 2010 traffic levels which are higher than current flows.
For the 630 motorists currently continuing to make cross river journeys by car in the hour over lunch,
The average increase in mileage = 1.3 miles
Journey time to do this extra 1.3 miles = 5.7 minutes
Additional cost = 37 pence
However if there was an 11% shift of drivers from cars to buses, cycles and walking, the average traffic reduction in a study of similar measures across Europe referred to in the previous Cabinet paper, there would be a reduction in distance travelled (pcu/km) of 10.3% within the simulation network (roughly the CYC boundary).
There would also be an improvement in driving conditions with an increase in average speed from the current 17.4 kph to 17.8 kph in the Inner Ring Road and Water End cordon area (it would go down to 16.9 kph without any overall traffic reduction), an increase of 2.3% in average speed.
The figures are similar to those that we published last month.
They reveal huge potential increases in journey times and costs for residents living in the City centre.
The Council has now set the bridge closure date for 27th August
Cheaper bus travel for 11 to 18 year olds this summer
York’s 11 to 18 year olds will get cheaper bus fares throughout August.
The All York Young Person’s Day ticket will cost just £1.30 – £1 cheaper than the normal price – for unlimited travel anywhere, all day, within York’s boundaries. 17-18 year olds will also see a huge savings of £3.70, from their normal standard fare of £5.
Tickets will be available to anyone between the ages of 11 -18 (the normal age is 11- 16), and will be subject to suitable proof of age. Tickets are valid at any time of day (9am weekday restrictions normally apply) and any time at weekends and bank holidays.
For more details please visit www.york.gov.uk/allyork
All York tickets can be purchased from the driver on board any of the participating companies’ buses: (more…)
Labour force through Lendal Bridge Closure
Lendal bridge without traffic
Labour blocked a Liberal Democrat attempt to stop the Lendal Bridge closure last night despite a petition signed by over 1,200 local residents.
At the Full Council meeting a petition was presented for debate and the Lib Dems attempted to turn this into a binding vote of all councillors. However, Labour used their wafer-thin majority to block this move – meaning no vote was taken and the last chance to stop the controversial closure was missed.
Cllr Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport, commented after the meeting:
“It is very disappointing that despite a petition signed by over 1,200 local residents, Labour blocked a proper debate on their decision to close Lendal Bridge and are refusing to reconsider or even put their plans to a vote of all councillors. Public opinion has been ignored and it is a dark day for democracy and debate in York.”
The closure is due to come into effect in August. Lib Dems have argued that local businesses and residents should have been consulted before a decision was taken and estimates show that the closure will increase congestion in and around the city-centre.
The Lib Dems attempted to suspend standing orders in order to move the following motion:
“This council resolves that Lendal Bridge will not be closed to private vehicles at the present time.”
Labour Councillors voted not to consider the motion
1244 residents signed the petition against closure.
20 mph crunch meeting today
Several residents have written to the Council in an attempt to influence today’s decision on the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit in west York.
All the published representations are opposed to the proposal.
The representations can be read by clicking here
Residents have also responded to the Councils plans for the management of the open area and pond on Mayfield Grove.
Here the balance of representations is more even although the local Chase Residents group appear to have most backing (including Dringhouses Councillor Ann Reid).
Several residents have registered to speak on the two issues at the meeting
The meeting is open to the public (Friday 19th July 4:30pm at The Snow Room, West Offices).
Given the controversial nature of the decisions to be made, it is surprising that it is not being web cast (there again, perhaps it isn’t so surprising!).
Latest mobile speed camera locations
The latest list of roads likely to be checked by the mobile speed camera van over the next week has been published here.
www.northyorkshire.police.uk/11632
The Police seem to be returning to the same roads each week.
There are others where speeding is an issue and which could usefully be monitored (Wetherby Road, Acomb Wood Drive, Moor Lane etc). The York Council could usefully review the data that it holds for roads with a poor accident record – or evidence of persistent high speeds – and work with the Police to refocus resources.
Meanwhile the latest enforcement results reveal that last week the largest number of offenders were caught on Murton Way (19) followed by York Road Haxby (18), and Tadcaster Road (10).
26 offenders were caught on the A1237 during four separate visits by the camera van.
20 mph speed limit plan – “Pull back from brink”
Residents are being urged to lobby Councillors in an attempt to head off plans to introduce a wide area 20 mph speed limit across west York.
The Labour Councillor responsible for the plan is being urged to delay implementation for at least 18 months so that the impact of the 20 mph limit – introduced earlier in the year in South Bank – can be assessed.
If, as has happened elsewhere, the new limit results in an increase in the number of road accidents, then the scheme should be abandoned say campaigners.
Papers released to inform a decision meeting (taking place on Friday 19th July 4:30pm at West Offices & open to the public) reveal that accident numbers, in City’s which have introduced wide area 20 mph, limits have increased.
Additionally residents in Bristol say that the new limits have not addressed their concerns about vehicle speeds.
Written representations have to be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday
York residents have been reminded that written representations can be emailed to the following address with a request that they be circulated at – or before – the decision meeting laura.bootland@york.gov.uk copied to cllr.dmerrett@york.gov.uk . The representations should be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday 17th July
Residents can register to attend and speak at the meeting. You must register before 5:00pm on Thursday 18th July. Telephone Laura Bootland on (01904) 552062 to register
As Cllr Merrett has publicly said that he intends to press ahead with the new limits and overrule resident’s views, it is likely that opposition Councillors will “call in” any such decision for further consideration.
Liberal Democrats spokesperson Cllr Ann Reid will also be attending Friday’s meeting to put the case for, at least, deferring the introduction of the new limits
New pedestrian crossing plan for Jo Ro school
Jo Ro crossing plan click to enlarge
Walking and cycling in the vicinity of Joseph Rowntree Secondary School have been reviewed by Council officials.
Pupils who live south of the school were found to have fewer direct facilities.
To address this, a highway improvement scheme has been developed to provide a raised zebra where most pedestrians cross, and off-road cycle links to give less confident cyclists an alternative on this busy narrow road.
There have been no objections to the principle of the scheme during consultation.