The Westfield Ward Committee has agreed to provide soft surfacing to make the Hawkshead Close access to Acomb Wood passable. Cllr Sheena Jackson (photo) has been pressing for the change – which will have to wait until the ground has dried out – for some months.
Unfortunately we have had another outbreak of graffiti in west York. Problems in Kingsway West, Bramham Road and Kir Crescent have been reported this weekend.
Some good progress has been made over the last week by the Council when responding to reports of litter and fallen leaves.
The new on line “report it” system seems to be working better now for cleansing issues. Click here to try it out.
Other types of issue are still best reported using “fix my street”
If so, join us during a hands-on information session at Hazel Court, on Saturday 15 October between 10am-12 noon.
The drop-in session will have City of York Council teams and partner agencies on hand with advice and demonstrations on how residents can get involved in their local community.
Throughout the morning council teams will be demonstrating how to use graffiti removal kits and litter pickers, enabling residents to tackle some of these problems first hand. Staff will also be demonstrating the One Planet York app which allows residents to check their recycling and waste collection dates amongst a host of other features.
Residents will also be able to learn more about volunteering opportunities from the council, Environment Agency and York CVS on roles such as being a flood warden or joining over 200 other residents and becoming a snow warden.
Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for the Environment, said:“Volunteers are important, and many residents want to find out how they can take a more active role in their local community. This session will help people find out how the council will support them to do this. Many residents want to assist with taking pride in where they live, or else help with efforts during flood or snowy situations, so they can find out more by coming along.”
For more information about the event or volunteering opportunities in York, email: shapingneighbourhoods@york.gov.uk , call 01904 551832, or visit: www.york.gov.uk/volunteering
Problems with fly posting (and graffiti) have been under control in York until quite recently.A crackdown 6 years ago resulted in a general agreement that posters would be restricted and would be removed within 2 days of an event having taken place.
Space might be made available, for worthy causes, to use public noticeboards while the growing number of web sites – like this one and that of the Council – offered modern, free publicity alternative for charitable events.
Unfortunately more posters have been put up recently which breach those guidelines.
In some cases the publicised events have already taken place. Many posters disfigure telephone kiosks & telecoms cabinets while some have even been put on boards and fixed to lampposts.
The Council has previously said,
“We expect officers from the Community Safety Hub will take steps identify perpetrators and write to them requiring that posters are removed within two days. If a follow-up visit shows they are still there, the posters will be removed and the perpetrators will be sent a bill for council time, along with a letter explaining that any repeat offences will be prosecuted under the Town & Country Planning Act.
Legally permitted posters include those the council is authorised to display such as dog fouling warnings and planning notices.
For organisations which have exemptions – such as local charities or community events – they will be reminded of the guidelines. These specify that exempt organisations are allowed posters not more than 0.6m2 (approximately A2 size) which are permitted 28 days prior to the event and 14 days after. If these guidelines aren’t followed, action will be taken, starting with a bill for their removal”.
Meanwhile there has also been an increase in graffiti in the Gale Lane area.
All cases that we have seen have been reported but we urge residents to use https://www.fixmystreet.com/ to highlight any continuing problems
Following action by Cllr Sheena Jackson, the hedge has been cut back from the footpath at the junction of Osprey Close and Acomb Wood Drive.
Acomb Wood Drive/Osprey Close hedge cut
Sheena is also following up issues with holes which have been dug near the children’s play area on Chesney’s Field (Foxwood Lane). They are a potential hazard.
Hole on Chesney’s Field
Cllr Andrew Waller has reported another instance of dumping on Bramham Road.
Dumping on Bramham Road
Meanwhile visitors accessing the City from the Selby – York cycle track get their usual colourful welcome. We’ve reported a plague of graffiti which dominates all the bridgeworks on the route.
Graffiti on cycle path brdige
Anarchists love graffiti
Graffiti anarchists also hate Communists (and, apparently, spell checkers)
Graffiti at entrance to Fossbank car park
Graffiti at entrance to York – Selby cycle track
Graffiti is unfortunately the first thing that some visitors to our City see. The entrances to the Fossbank shoppers car park are particular blackspots.
We think that – as well as getting the graffiti cleaned off quickly – the authorities should install cameras aimed at identifying and prosecuting those who are disfiguring the City
Meanwhile signs (below) are still displayed in Goodramgate giving directions to the Tour de France start.
This event concluded over 2 years ago and the signs add little to the streetscape in what is a Conservation Area.
Commemorative plaque or just forgot to take the sign down?
Graffiti now removed from second set of flood gates on North Street
Pose Bridge
Riverside Walk
Riverside walk
Cycle barriers Teal Drive Carrfield snicket
There seems to have been an improvement over the last few days with complaints, about several problems with street services, having been rectified by the York Council.
Last week we used “Fix My Street” to report problems with dumping, litter and full bins on Chesneys Field.
These issues have now been addressed.
Shame though that parts of the city centre are still blighted by graffiti.
Among the worst instances are the flood barriers on North Street but even as far out as Jubilee Terrace problems are occurring.
Graffiti North Street
Graffiti Jubilee Terrace
Before the clean-up
We are pleased to report that action by local LibDem Councillors, to get rid of the graffiti which had been daubed on the back of the Lovel House garages, has had a successful outcome.
The garage wall backs onto the well-used cycle and footpath that runs from Thanet Road by the side of the bowls club through to Bellhouse Way.
After the clean-up
Please let us know if you spot any similar problems.
