Problem hedge cut back from Osprey Close corner

The Council has cut the hedge back from the corner of Osprey Close and Acomb Wood Drive.

The hedge had grown on “no mans land” over the years to the point where it was obstructing access along the footpath in summer.

The street name plate was also obscured.

Nearby, work on lopping trees in Acomb Wood near Hawkshead Close is due to take place during February and March. The programme of works, which were agreed with local residents last year, is expected to take 6 days to complete.

Before

After

After

Tree management – Council to review policies

Its nearly two years since the York Council changed its polices on the maintenance and management of the trees which grow on public land in the City.

At the time, the then Councillor with responsibility for the service, was told that officials had grossly under estimated the number of problems that were caused by overgrown trees and bushes in the City. He didn’t heed the warning.

Dozens of problem cases have since been reported to the Council with little response. Even when the Ward committee has responded to residents demands for action by making funding available for tree loping and replacing dead trees, progress has been ponderously slow.

Overgrown highway hedges are a problem in some locations.

In others private hedges are completely blocking public footpaths

Now we are promised a review of the policy at a meeting which will take place on 18^th December. A different Councillor is now responsible for this service so hopefully some progress will be made.

The notice of the meeting says that “experience has highlighted the need to include additional policy statements on trees in formal landscapes, woodland management and Ward funding for tree care and management”. Indeed.

But trees need to be loped and bushes removed during the autumn/winter period & that time is now upon is.

Action taken on full poop scoop bin, high hedges and overgrown flower beds in Foxwood

Today we’ve reported a full bin in Oldman Court!

We’ve asked for the bin on Oldman Court to be emptied.

Some access paths across the verge on Bellhouse Way are overgrown with grass. We’ve asked for them to be made safe

Verge crossover disappearing do to lack of maintenance

Elsewhere we’ve reported more overgrown hedges and flower beds. We understand that the Council’s garden care scheme is running behind schedule. Andrew Waller is addressing the issue

Flower beds need trimming in Corlett Court

Dumped rubbish reported

Some bushes are overgrown

Time for York Council to get out the pruning knife

A meeting on Friday will make a final recommendation on the York Council’s tree management policy.

click to read report

The proposed policy was amended at a meeting last week but still fails to fully recognise the impact that 5 years of neglect have had on the City’s trees and bushes.

There are simply too many paths and roads obstructed by overgrown trees and bushes.

What is needed is a proactive management policy.

…..and where a dispute, between the Council’s staff and local residents cannot be resolved, then there needs to be an appeal process where conflicts can be settled as amiably as possible.

In the meantime the Council needs to get on and resolve some long standing issues

View from Askham Lane bus shelter. Reported two months ago the shelter is still engulfed by nettles and rubbish. It is impossible to see approaching buses from within the shelter.

Rubbish accumulating in the shelter

Detritus and weeds still a problem and Ridgeway

Detritus and weeds still a problem on Ridgeway

Meanwhile vandalised trees – which should have been replaced several years ago – are just ignored. This one is on the Tedder Road park

We’ve reported an uneven footpath on Ridgeway

Trees blight Foxwood properties

Overgrown trees prompt security fears

Several trees in the Burgess Walk area of Foxwood have grown so large that they are contributing to a security problem. The trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) which were imposed when the estate was built over 30 years ago. At that time the trees – which had formed part of the boundary of a farmers field – were modest in size. Their conservation was viewed as one way of avoiding the bleak and windswept look that many new developments have until new planting establishes itself.

However the trees have continued to grow and now block out both sunlight and the illumination offered by street lamps. The access footpath is therefore unnaturally dark prompting security fears. Parts of the trees regularly drop off – adding to the list of residents concerns.

Some trees are overgrowing the highway and pose a threat for high sided vehicles

The matter has been discussed by the Foxwood Residents Association who have asked officials to consider taking action to have the TPOs lifted. This would permit the trees to be lopped or even felled and replaced by a species more appropriate for small sub-urban gardens.

There is a broader issue.

The Council is largely reactive in dealing with problems caused by overgrown trees and bushes. We believe that local wards should have a delegated budget which they can use to manage the stock of trees and bushes in an area. The budget could be used to remove or cut back vegetation which is blocking paths and amenity areas.

It could also be used to ensure that an annual tree planting programme is sustained.

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Elsewhere the trial wildflower bed established on Huntsmans Walk (below) as now been moved to a more rural location. The island has been turfed.

Huntsmans Walk grassed area restored