Tree obstructing entrance to Acomb Wood

A fallen tree is currently obstructing the Skiddaw entrance to Acomb Wood.

Blight hits west York

Good to see that the litter bin on Tadcaster Road, which we reported last week as being full, was quickly emptied by the Council.

Shame that we are now seeing an increase in other examples of environmental crime

Empty cans blight the cycle underpass at London Bridge despite two litter bins being provided. Graffiti also a continuing problem.

London Bridge

Seat dumped in Acomb Wood. Been a lot of problems with litter there. The wood is maintained by volunteers, is a heaven for wildlife and a popular walk for locals.

Acomb Wood

Exercise more difficult as York Council route improvements not completed.

We reported before Christmas, that a Council project aimed at reducing flooding in the Osprey Close area, had stalled. The result was that in wet weather the link to Acomb Moor and Acomb Wood became impassible.

The Council promised to put hard core down on an alternative access but this was delayed.

Work on completing the job didn’t recommence before the Coronavirus lock-down prevented further progress.

Although most of the path is accessible now that the mud has gone, the alternative link path is steep and potentially hazardous for the less physically able. This is a shame given the large numbers of people wanting to use this, and similar, routes for their daily exercise.

Nearby the Public Right of Way application for Acomb Moor has also stalled and will not be pursued until normal work resumes at the Council.

In the meantime volunteers are trying to keep hedges trimmed back to allow continued use of the path.

Volunteers are trimming back thorn hedges from local footpaths

Acomb Wood is popular with recreational walkers. It also is maintained by volunteers.

Abandoned barriers at the site of the drainage works

The pedestrian Link to Osprey Close. Passable in dry weather but very uneven

Acomb Moor has been popular with walkers, dog owners and families in recent weeks. Formal approval of the footpath access has still be be agreed by the Council.

Please report ponding & flooding problems

We see that local Councillors are taking up issues with minor flooding on roads and footpaths.

Today’s poor weather is likely to highlight where the main blockages are.

One resident has used https://www.fixmystreet.com/ to highlight a problem near Lidl.

In some cases the “ponding” results from blocked or damaged drainage gullies.

In others, the carriageway has sunk and more extensive repairs may be necessary.

The Council has allocated over £3.5 million for repairs to drainage channels over the next few years. . A Council report published last week said, “It is calculated that more than £8m of investment will be needed over 12 years to address all defective assets on a priority/needs based approach, and the funding included is based on two additional works gangs and materials”

It is not just gullies that are waterlogged.

Off street paths need hardcore to prevent flooding

Several off road paths – including those linking Acomb Wood, Acomb Moor and the Westfield Park off Grange Lane – are obstructed.

The local ward committee has a delegated budget which is available to address problems with cycle and pedestrian routes. We think it should use some of it to ensure that these paths remain usable in wet weather.

Whatever the issue, residents are strongly recommended to report problems to the Council. The sooner work gets into the forward programme the sooner issues will be resolved. https://www.york.gov.uk/reportproblems

Graffiti , bins and footpaths reported

The Council is dealing promptly now with graffiti reports. The new system seems to be working well.

Graffiti on litter bin on little Hob Moor

Graffiti on a utility box also on little Hob Moor. Reports like these are passed on to the utility company but there is rarely a quick response. We think that the utility companies should ask the Council to clean the boxes on a rechargeable basis.

Footpaths in Newbury Avenue need reconstructing now that the new bungalows are almost ready for occupation. The damaged verge on the Newbury Avenue/Kingsway West junction needs to be repaired at the same time.

We’ve reported the full poop scoop bin at the entrance to Acomb Wood

Still waiting to hear when the public footpath at the top of Osprey Close will be reinstated. A local Councillor is now on the case.

Council blocks popular footpath link

Over the last few days contractors have been working on the Council owned section of Acomb Wood near the top of Osprey Close.

They put some hard core down near the entrance gate (good) but they have left a large spoil heap blocking the popular footpath access to the wood.

They have also erected Council owned barriers on the PROW footpath link to Acomb Moor and Foxwood Lane beyond.

As well as the spoil heap, the actions of a tractor have reduced the path to an impassable quagmire. A spectacularly bad time of year to undertaken work like this.

It is unclear who is responsible for the work (the farmer has a right of access but he usually accesses his field direct from Askham Lane).

Paths in the Council owned section of Acomb Wood get very muddy. Their condition contrast with the well maintained – by volunteers – section of the wood on the other side of the road.

Only the Council would have any reason to work on this land – which is a publicly owned amenity area – but to do so without any warning or consultation is remarkably insensitive.

The residents association are planning to discuss the issue at their meeting next week.

There is scope for putting down hardcore on other sections of the popular footpath which goes through the Council owned part of Acomb Wood and which gets very muddy in places.

Changing seasons & changing restaurants

Autumn has arrived in a very scenic Acomb Wood

Nearby at the Acomb Wood Drive shopping centre, a new name and management for one restaurant while another reinvents itself.

West York still blooming in autumn sun

There is lots to admire before the seasons change in west York. Much voluntary effort has gone into making our community colourful this year

Acomb Wood offers a delightful opportunity for a stroll thanks to the hard work of the Friends group

Volunteers help to clear litter from the Foxwood Park. Lets make their job easier by doing our bit

Flower tubs around the Foxwood area are maintained by volunteers

The Foxwood Residents Association will be supervising the planting of more spring bulbs tomorrow. There will be an increased number planted in Dickson Park

Also in Dickson Park, the Residents Association will be discussing, at their meeting on Wednesday, the planting of additional trees. A suggested layout has been provided by the local TREEMENDOUS charity. The meeting, which commences at 7:00pm, is open to all residents who live in Foxwood

Spring clean anyone?

As we’ve pointed out over the last few days, many of our public open spaces are looking clean and tidy at the moment.

In west York parks and amenity areas provide an attractive informal opportunity for leisure although in the Westfield ward several are under threat of development.

But there are several areas where litter and fly tipping are a problem. In some cases, items dumped many months ago still haven’t been removed by the Council.

Time for some action we think.

Fortunately, there is an active residents association in the Foxwood area and they have promised to support a month of action in their neighbourhood.

Elsewhere in the Westfield ward residents are currently less well organised so some proactive management is required.

Actions speak louder than words

Shortly there will be local elections in the area. Some candidates are already delivering literature. Both Labour and the LibDems have been seen on the streets this weekend.

The Tories have resorted to employing a contractor to deliver their leaflets They candidly admit that they don’t actually have any candidates, with only a few weeks to go before nominations close.

But no matter. If the candidates or all parties want to impress why don’t they individually organise a “spring clean” in a problem area? This might help to make a favourable impression on voters as well as enhancing the local environment?

The Keep Britain Tidy organisation coordinates an annual Great British Spring Clean campaign. This year the campaign will run between 22nd March – 23rd April 2019 and will focus on removing single use plastics from our open spaces.

Please visit their web site for more details https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean