Cycle path still blocked/Future of MUGA

Despite promises by Highways Yorkshire, the cycle path on the A64 slip road next to Pike Hills golf course remains obstructed, The overgrowth problem was reported in June. Shortly afterwards Highways Yorkshire (who are responsible for the path up to the junction with the A1036) tweeted to say that the whole path would be routinely freed of obstructions during July.

That has proved not to be the case.

Now the issue is set to be escalated to the local MP but this really shouldn’t be necessary. A team could clear the hazardous overgrowth (thorn branches) in just a couple of hours.

We hope that the issue is not left to volunteers to tackle. If the government is serious about encouraging sustainable transport – the the very least they should do is maintain existing paths in a useable condition.

UPDATE: Highways Yorkshire have tweeted to say that the path “is due to be cleared in the very near future”

We’ve also reported overgrowth near the cemetery and at the Tesco roundabout (York Council responsibility)

A64 cycle path blockages and overgrowth at Tesco roundabout.

MUGA Mugged

Separately we have queried with Councillors representing the Westfield ward what the future of the former Multi User Games Area (MUGA) site off Kingsway West is. It was used as a building compound for a couple of years but was subsequently abandoned.

The expectation was the the area would be leveled and grassed over. At present it is a weed infested eyesore.

The Council mowers studiously avoid cutting the area. They stick religiously to a route outside the line of the MUGA fence (which was removed last year).

If the area isn’t to be maintained as grassland then there is scope for more tree and wildflower planting. Neglect shouldn’t be an option.

Sadly there is still no news of the promised replacement games area. An all-weather surface, to replace what was lost, was due to be provided at the Thanet Road Sports Area, but progress has been glacial.

Former MUGA site off Kingsway West

Some progress on cycle path blockages

Following on from our story yesterday, there has been some progress with getting cycle paths cleared of overgrowth

Workers were out on the SUSTRANS York – Riccall path today. They had cleared vegetation blockages from about 50% of the track by mid afternoon. They hadn’t reached the path near Riccall whichsuffers the worst obstructions

York – Riccall cycle path near Escrick sidings (being cut) and Riccall (still obstructed)

Meanwhile Highways England have tweeted (left) to say that the section of cycle path next to the A64 will be cleared later this month

The York Council responded today to say that the section of cycle track on Tadcaster Road next to the golf course had been cleared. Sadly, on checking today, we found that it hadn’t been touched.

It is remans obstructed by nettles and thistles

Tadcaster Road cycle path is still obstructed.

Litter shame on A64

The pile of litter continue to grow next to a layby near Tadcaster. Problems on the A64 were reported several weeks ago but without any lasting improvement.

Deliberate fly tipping has now added to the woes.

Its a real shame that people don’t take their litter home with them and that enforcement action is rarely effective.

It is a shame as this is the first sight that some visitors will get as they approach York.

Elsewhere we have re-reported two fly tipping and leaf detritus issues in the little Green Lane area.

Graffiti on utility boxes in Windsor Garth has been reported.

Reports are coming in that 8 trees, planted by volunteers in Dickson Park during the summer, have been vandalised. The incident is being investigated by the local residents association.

Camera vans catch 135 speeders near York

North Yorkshire Police safety (speed) vans caught 135 motorists speeding on roads near York in April.

The majority of the offenders were detected on the A64.

Most of the offenders have been referred for speed awareness courses although 8 face a court appearance for more serious violations

The figures for the period between 8th – 23rd April are detailed on the police web site (click)

In addition to speeding offences, 6 drivers were found not to be wearing seat belts.

The figures also reveal that the vans have not been used to check vehicle speeds in the urban area.

This may prove to be a controversial use of resources as “reassurance checks” in residential areas have been promised by Chief Constables in the past.

Safety camera van results 8th -22nd April 2020

Big pothole on A64 near North Lane junction reported

It isn’t just the York Council that is struggling to keep on top of the pothole problem. A large pothole has opened up on the eastbound carriageway of the A64 trunk road near its junction with North Lane.

This has been reported to the Highways Agency via the useful “Fix My Street” web site https://www.fixmystreet.com/

Meanwhile we have been able to report some other issues via local Councillors

  • Missing play equipment on Chesney’s Field
  • Damaged fencing in the same area

A64 / A19 Fulford interchange overnight closures for surfacing works

Works to resurface the A64 / A19 interchange, which supports the £2 million Department for Transport funded Pinch Point scheme in the area, will start next week.

A19 pinch point

A19 pinch point

The A64 / A19 Fulford interchange will be resurfaced over four consecutive nights from Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 September, with full road closures between the hours of 8pm and 6am.

All traffic diversions will be clearly signed in the area and are as follows:

  • North and south traffic on the A19: will be able to continue through the A64 junction using a single lane and working with traffic light control.
  • Southbound (towards Selby) A19 traffic wishing to travel east on the A64: will not be affected as the A64 slip road will continue to be open.
  • Southbound (towards Selby) A19 traffic wishing to travel west on the A64: will need to be diverted initially eastbound on the A64 via Grimston Bar to enable them to return westbound.
  • Northbound (towards York) A19 traffic wishing to travel both east and west on the A64: traffic from the south (Selby) wishing to travel on the A64 (in either direction) will be diverted via the inner ring road and Hull Road A1079.
  • A64 traffic wishing to use the A19: No direct access to the A19 at the A64/A19 junction. Traffic will be diverted via either Tadcaster Road A1036 or Hull Road A1079 and the inner ring.
  • A64 East-west traffic: east – west traffic on the A64 will not be affected.

• Designer Outlet and Park&Ride: Works will be outside of the Designer Outlet’s opening times, so there will be minimum impact on access to and from the shopping centre. P&R services will not be affected. Patrons and staff leaving the Designer Outlet after 8pm will need to exit via Naburn Lane as St. Nicholas Avenue will be closed after this time.

• Buses: Two routes will be slightly affected, including the 415 service timetabled to leave the Designer Outlet at 9.15pm to York and 9.50pm to Selby. Passengers will need to walk to the stops on A19 Selby Road or A19 near Lingcroft Lane (Persimmon).

Motorists travelling during the hours of the works should expect delays and are advised to plan their journey accordingly. For travel advice visit www.itravelyork.info

Full FAQs and plans of the Pinch Point scheme are available to view at: www.york.gov.uk/A19pinchpoint

The scheme is supported through approximately £2million Department for Transport funding, which City of York Council successfully bid for and secured from a share of a £170 million Government Pinch Point Fund in 2013.

The £2 million funding contributes towards the cost of the £4.7m overall project in this area which will help towards supporting local transport schemes that tackle congestion and support growth.

A64 Hopgrove junction to be “grade separated”

 

Today’s government announcements on major improvements to the road network will attract mixed reactions in York.Hopgrove roundabout copy

Included is a pledge to “grade separate” the Hopgrove  A1237/A64 junction. This means that fly-overs will replace the roundabout (which was itself subject to an £9 million upgrade only 5 years ago).

However, those hoping for the A1237 to be dualled will be disappointed and traffic, at busy times, having avoided the Hopgrove bottleneck, will immediately face continuing congestion on the remainder of the A64 trip to the coast.

Hopes for the A1237 seem to rest on the devolved funding made available to the, increasingly aloof, Leeds based “West Yorkshire Combined Authority”.  

Reports last week suggested that funding for larger roundabouts is the extent of their ambitions.