Plenty of issues for Council candidates to get their teeth into
A bridge too near?
First walk across new Scarborough Bridge, York ahead of next month’s opening following £4.4m upgrade
The new bridge is the first over the River Ouse in York city centre for 138 years
Unfortunately it does little for cyclists travelling from, and to, the Leeman Road area who still face an unpleasant journey through the black tunnel of Marble Arch (which lacks a waterproof membrane). It remains a major obstacle to the development of the York Central site.
The first steps across the new Scarborough Bridge, York, were taken during a site visit today (Tuesday 19 March) to see how the £4.4m scheme to boost access for people travelling by bike or on foot between the train station and the city centre is progressing.
The new bridge has been delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through its £60m CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to cycle and walk, City of York Council, and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER EP). The bridge is due to open to the public next month (April).
Scarborough Bridge has been closed to the public since the end of January to allow for ongoing construction works, including the old footbridge being lifted out by rail crane to make way for the new, wider and more accessible shared use bridge.
More than 3,000 people crossed the old footbridge daily, despite access issues.
At 65-metres long the new bridge is three times as wide at 3.7metres, increasing access to more people. It had to be lifted into place in four separate parts due to its size.
Improvement works also include step-free access with ramps as well as new external steps leading to the riverside paths.
On the southern side a new path on the top of the embankment will mean people can travel directly between York Station and the new bridge, providing a traffic free scenic route to the city centre. The new bridge will be accessible even when in flood.
The original bridge was designed and built by Robert Stephenson in 1845. This first iteration saw the walkway placed between the railway tracks and was accessed by internal steps.
When York Station was moved in 1873-5 the bridge was updated to make it suitable. This is when the old footbridge was installed and, until recently, had remained largely unchanged for the last 144 years.
For more information about the Scarborough Bridge scheme visit www.york.gov.uk/scarboroughbridge
Swan observes keep right sign on river Ouse
Work on Scarborough Bridge cycle facility progressing.
Volunteers start to clean up Foxwood park
Foxwood Residents Association Volunteers made a start on clearing dead vegetation from the Foxwood Park this morning.
It is hoped that a bulb planting day will be organised next week
The cycle path markings on Bellhouse Way have been repainted. Much improved for both cyclists and pedestrians
It’s not just the York City centre that needs some weed killer!
We do increasingly wonder whether either Councillors or officials actually routinely check the quality of public services in some parts of the City?
Take the cycle/footpath which links Water Lane to Hazelnut Grove and Rawcliffe beyond.
It is obstructed with nettles, brambles and weeds. It has clearly not been swept for months?
We hope that even if the York Council ignores issues like these, residents will report them using the Fix My Street web site (as we have done today). Regular maintenance can make a big difference to the local environment
Detritus on Water Lane cycle path
Nettles impede Water Lane cycle path
A1237 northern by pass – evening closure for up to a week from 15th November
Cycle bridge to be installed – Unfinished cycle route saga to end?
Improvements to the much criticised cycle path built on the A1237 near Wigginton may be coming to a conclusion.
The York Council has published the following legal notice.
Notice is hereby given that City of York Council, not less than 7 days from the publication of this Notice, intends to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 prohibiting vehicles from proceeding in A1237 York between its junctions with Wigginton Road (B1363) and Haxby Road (closed road) during the period commencing at 1900hrs on the 15th day of November 2014 and ending at 0700hrs on the 20th day of January 2015 (works period) or at time when new Haxby Cycleway Bridge installation works being undertaken by crane operations from the closed road have been completed whichever is the earlier. This is to ensure that the said works can be carried out safely. It is envisaged that the prohibition will only be put in to place, between the following times and dates:
- 1900hrs on Saturday 15th November 2014 till 0800hrs on Sunday 16th November;
- 1900hrs on Sunday 16th November 2014 till 0630hrs on Monday 17th November;
- 1900hrs on Monday 17th November 2014 till 0630hrs on Tuesday 18th November.
An alternative route for diverted traffic will be available via Wigginton Road, Mill Lane, The Village, York Road, Haxby Road and vice versa. Traffic signs/barriers will indicate the extent of the prohibitions.
Speed limit at Rufforth extended
Cycle path to be investigated
A 40mph “buffer” speed limit on the B1224 approach to the east end of Rufforth village is to be established. The planned changes, aimed at helping cyclists, have been opposed by the Police who describe them as “inappropriate”
An off-road cycle link between the village and the bridleway adjoining the B1224 to the east is also being investigated.
As we predicted in 2012, the Council has failed to secure its original preferred route for part of the cycle track and cyclists currently use the busy B1224 for part of its length.
The decision on the cycle route was a controversial one with an alternative (via current rights of way across part of the airfield and an established bridleway to link to Grange Lane) offering a shorter route for many journeys.
However both options failed to deal convincingly with access across the A1237 (northern by pass)
The speed limit plans were agreed at a behind closed doors decision session
A map showing the plans can be found by clicking here