Streets cleaner, reporting systems improving in York
Although there is still a long way to go, many streets in the City are noticeably cleaner than they have been in recent years. It represents a success for the Council’s revised street sweeping processes where the emphasis now is on doing a thorough job rather than concentrating on speed.
Communal areas and parks are still liable to litter problems. In some parts of the City residents are getting together to promote “clean up” events on or around 4th March. A range of support items for the “Great British Spring Clean” can be found by clicking here
The Council’s own “on line” reporting systems are also improving although only the litter response team seem to be fully up to speed. Click here to access
Help play a vital role in preserving York’s orchards
A new citywide project which hopes to encourage more communities to play a vital role in finding and preserving orchards in York through a new York Heritage Orchard Group has launched.
Traditional orchards are wildlife havens which contain elements of woodland, pasture and meadow grassland, and are often bordered by native hedgerows.
They are recognised as representing ‘biodiversity hotspots’ and have been identified as priority habitats through both the national and local Biodiversity Action Plans.
However, statistics from the national charity Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has found that around 90 per cent of these habitats have been lost since the 1950s.
In order to help halt this decline and to protect these important habitats, City of York Council is inviting individuals and communities to get in touch if they own or care for an orchard, which they believe may be of heritage interest to help get this new group off the ground.
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York talk on climate change ahead of United Nations conference
Experts in the field of sustainability and climate change are inviting community groups to join them at one of several events being held across the region to talk about tackling climate change.
The special event takes place at City of York Council’s West Offices (Snow Room) from 12noon on Thursday 3 December.
The engagement session focuses on the new ‘For the Love of Yorkshire’ climate campaign and also the benefits of tackling climate change for cities and regions.
This session takes place during the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference on 30 November to 11 December, which is recognised as being one of the most important international efforts in recent years. The’ For the Love of Yorkshire’ campaign will also be taking climate messages from York to the European conference.
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Mixed response to litter clearance requests
The York Council has actioned some requests for litter to be cleared for amenity areas. Chesney’s Field now looks very tidy and workers were out on the A1237 by pass yesterday clearing litter from the hedgerows.
Chesney’s field clear of litter
Meanwhile other amenity areas on the west of the City have not fared as well. Bachelor Hill is covered in empty cans while the Cornland’s park has its usual covering of detritus.
Bachelor Hill – still not recovered from authorised environmental dumping and now covered in detritus
Graffiti and worn path spoil entrance to Bachelor Hill
Overgrown and damaged entrance to Bachelor Hill from Askham Lane
Detritus and damaged gate at Tennent Road entrance to Bachelor Hill
York shortlisted in the Low Carbon Champions awards
City of York Council, First York Buses and Optare have been shortlisted in the Vehicle Operator category for the 2015 Low Carbon Champions awards.
The council, in partnership with First Bus York and bus manufacturer, Optare have been nominated after creating two fully electric Park&Ride routes.
New electric bus fleet
A fleet of six buses were first introduced in June 2014 at the new Poppleton Bar Park&Ride site. This was then extended to include Monks Cross Park&Ride in May 2015.
The electric buses are helping to reduce CO2 emissions by 62 percent in real world operation according to First Bus data. The most recent data shows that when operating in service on York’s Park&Ride routes, the ‘Well to Wheel’ efficiency is 409g/km of Carbon emitted compared to a standard diesel Park&Ride bus at 1078g/km.
Cllr Ian Gillies, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said: “I am delighted that the work that the council is carrying out in partnership with First York Buses and Optare is being recognised on a national scale. I hope we will be able to continue to build on this and help make York an even more sustainable city.”
Ben Gilligan, Managing Director of First York added, “We’re thrilled to be short-listed for a Low Carbon Champion Award which is recognition of the really positive impact of the electric vehicles in York. By working in partnership with City of York Council and Optare we’ve been able to provide a better environment for residents as well as continuing to deliver high quality, great value services.”
Enrico Vassallo, CEO, Optare, said, “I am delighted that our electric bus technology has been recognized and shortlisted for this prestigious industry award. We continue to work with the LowCVP, DfT, SMMT, TfL, operators like First York and local authorities, such as the City of York Council to promote the uptake of electric vehicle technology and ensure sustained successful operation of these vehicles, whilst gaining data for the continued development of electric vehicles.”
The Carbon savings achieved through the operation of these buses complement the improvements in air quality delivered over and above Diesel bus operation, with harmful Particulate and Nitrogen Dioxide emissions reduced to zero.
The Low Carbon Champions Awards help to identify and promote examples of outstanding and innovative practice in accelerating the shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels and reducing road transport emissions.
For more information on the Low Carbon Champions Awards, which are taking place on 9 September visit http://www.lowcvp.org.uk/news,shortlist-for-2015-low-carbon-champions-awards-reflects-innovation-in-green-transport_3302.htm
Cloudburst tests new local drain covers
Just a few weeks after new drain covers – which catch litter and detritus in an easy to clean grill – were fitted to some gullies in the Cornlands Road area, yesterdays downpour provided an early test.
Elsewhere we are currently experiencing good growing conditions. This may be one of the reasons why the annual Foxwood Garden Competition – being judged tonight – has attracted a record number of nominations
Some hedges which have been obstructing paths have now been cut back
Hedge cut in Oldman Court
Other hedges are now causing problems
Hedge needs cuttng in Oldman Court
There seems to be no halting the advance of weeds which are now prolific almost everywhere
Weed problems ion streets like Vincent Way are increasing
We’ve asked for detritus to be swept from some paths (see below)
Detritus to be swept from Greenwood Grove snicket
While the warm weather has encouraged people out onto the local communal areas not everyone has taken their litter home with them.
Weeds gaining ground in York
Each year we seem to have problems with weed growth in one part of the City or another.
Ouse Bridge 7th August 2014 Weeds take over parapet
As well as being unsightly, if untreated the weeds can cause damage to footpaths, roads and bridges.
Last year weeds seemed to win the war so, when the York Council said that they had completed the first of three planned applications of weed killer in May, we hoped for the best.
But today, 4 weeks later, when the weed killer should have taken effect, there are still areas which seem to have been missed.
We are not sure whether this is down to the contractors who were employed to do the work, the type of weed killer which was used or just unfavourable weather conditions.
Whatever the reason, some action needs to be taken quickly to free our streets from this problem.
Weeds Milner Street back lane
Weeds and dumped trolly on Dijon Avenue
Weeds growing in Queenswood Grove gutters
Rear entrance to Lowfields school site
rubbish and weeds Front Street back lane
Indecision grips York Council’s Environmental Services Director recruitment?
It looks like there could be a gap of over 18 months before a new senior manager is appointed to administer the Environmental Services Directorate at the York Council. The Directorate has many important responsibilities covering transport, planning, the Community Stadium and the York central development together with other economic development projects.
Darren Richardson left the post in June 2014 in the wake of the Lendal Bridge fiasco. He was replaced by a (somewhat controversial) consultant whose contract is due to expire on 9th July.
It looks like the Council are set to temporarily promote one of its existing staff to take up the responsibility pending a report on other aspects of the senor management structure at the Council.
It looks like this re-organisation report will not be ready until December 2015!
A report to a meeting taking place on 22nd June recommends that non Council staff would also be able to apply for the temporary post during a narrow widow of opportunity between 26th June and 10th July
The post will be advertised on the Council’s jobs web site and could attract a, pro rata, salary of around £90,000 pa.
The York Council jobs web site can be accessed by clicking here https://jobs.york.gov.uk/index.aspx
As we remarked on Friday; it is one of what seems to be a proliferation of web sites now operated by the York Council (to the general confusion of many citizens)
A64 getting a Spring Clean today
“Not before time”
As part of the Big Spring Clean 2015, City of York Council has planned a major clean-up of the verges and laybys on the A64.
Alongside 45 different community activities to support the Big Spring Clean, council staff will start work on the stretch of the outer ring road from Bilbrough Top to the Hopgrove Roundabout on 23 March.
Motorists are advised that sections of the dual carriageway’s single, inside lanes will be closed to protect workers, from 8pm after the evening peak and reopened ready for the morning peak.
Council teams will be undertaking other aspects of spring cleaning in the same week including brushing up signage and traffic islands across the city. Following council work to prune trees on the riverbank, together with the River Foss Society, council teams will also help clean up the Foss waterway and banks.
Council staff are also volunteering to join in litter picks organised for the areas in and around Hazel Court and West Offices.
To volunteer or for more information about the Big Spring Clean, visit www.york.gov.uk/smarteryork email smarter.york@york.gov.uk, call 01904 551551, follow @CityofYork #SmarterYork