York Council using hi tech equipment to improve service stadards?

New road sweeper

Weed killing by quad bike

After a poor few years there are signs that some of the street level public services provided by the York Council are beginning to improve.

Last year saw parts of the City engulfed in weeds.

This year a quad bike is already zipping round the area applying weed killer to paths and gutters.

Blocked drainage gulley in Hammerton Close

Litter and detritus is also another major problem as these photos show.

We hope that the new specialist street sweeping machines (above left) will soon make an impact…and that the Council has thought through how it will cleanse difficult to access areas.

We hope that the York Council will also make its street cleansing – and weed control – timetables available on their web site. Taxpayers should know how often they can expect their streets to be swept

Detritus at Grange Lane cycle path entrance

Detritus in Chapelfields Road garage area

Litter in Walton Place snicket

We continue to report any issues that we see using the excellent “Fix my Street” web site

Grange Lane Park – dog fouling problems

The installation of railings around the play equipment on Grange Lane has not entirely eliminated problems with dog fouling.

Gate being left open at palygorund

Unfortunately the access gate does not have a spring on it and it is often being left open.

We hope to have a spring fitted and a notice erected reminding people to kept the gate closed.

Meanwhile we’ve reported the full poop scoop bin for emptying

Full poop scoop bin on Grange Lane reported for emptying

Fears for childrens safety as service standards wobble

Thorn bush overhanging public footpath

Snickets are often a source of concern to both users and neighbouring property owners.

None less so that that linking Parker Avenue to Grange Lane.

Often problems are reported there with graffiti, litter, weeds and vandalism to boundary fences.

Today we have had to report a badly overgrown rose bush which is almost blocking the footpath. The thorns are a particular hazard for young children who may be wheeled past in prams.

We hope that the Council will act quickly to have the bush cut back

Grange Lane play area

Meanwhile the Grange Lane play area is once again the subject of litter and dog fouling. The swings have also been vandalised.

The playground really does need a fence round it to prevent access by dogs and to stop litter drift.

It should become a “poop scoop” area with proper enforcement.

Again an issue overdue for Council attention.

Acomb play equipment labelled “dangerous”

Weeds overwhelming play equipment

Aerial wire broken

Play equipment in Grange Lane, Acomb has been labelled as “dangerous” by parents due a lack of maintenance.

Earlier today two pieces of play equipment were unusable with one – a wire ride – potentially hazardous for users.

Weeds and nettles were growing up through another piece of equipment making use impractical.

Litter

The area was badly littered.

The council has been heavily criticised in the past for failing to secure the playground against dogs.

Fouling continues to be an issue.

Grange Lane play area petition – decision next Wednesday

The 251 signature petition which asked for a dog proof fence, poop scoop and litter bins to be provided at the Grange Lane playground will be discussed next Wednesday.

Grange Lane petition. click to enlarge

Residents collected the petition following problems with dog fouling around the play equipment.

Officials say that there is no money to pay for a fence and, of course, Labour Councillors voted last year to substantially reduce the numbers of litter and dog bins in the City.

It is possible that an existing bin might be re-positioned closer to the playground.

The cost of the fence is put at £7,200. Officials say that the scheme should be one of those funded from the estate improvement budget.

However this totals only £9,500 and must address all the needs of the Chapelfields area.

Some might think that a small reduction in the £1.4 million that the Council is going to spend – in a single day – on the start event for a stage of the Tour de France, might be more usefully be spent addressing safety and environmental problems like these.

Residents may attend and speak on the proposals at the meeting which is taking place at West Offices on Toft Green on Wednesday 9th October starting at 4:00pm.

You must register to speak before the meeting. The deadline for registering is 5pm on Tuesday 8th October 2013. Telephone – (01904) 552062 Laura Bootland.

Written representations must be made by 5pm on Monday 7th October 2013. They should be E-mailed to laura.bootland@york.gov.uk

Grange Lane play area petition to be considered on 9th October

Grange Lane petition. click to enlarge

The petition asking for the Grange Lane play area to be kept free of dog fouling will be discussed on Wednesday 9th October.

Residents will be entitled to attend and speak at the meeting.