There has been some persistent rain in York. This has brought some issues with flooding and surface water.
Please take the opportunity to report any blocked drains or other issues which may be a hazard for residents. Click here
Residents in Foxwood have complained to the Council about continuing problems with leaves and other tree detritus impeding footpaths.
Not all paths were swept of debris in the autumn and now the recent high winds have added to the backlog of work.
The Foxwood Residents Association at its meeting on Wednesday decided to support once again the “Great British Spring Clean” initiative.
They are asking residents to join litter picking teams on the following dates
Saturday 28th March – Dickson Park
Saturday 4th April – Thanet Road Sports Area
Saturday 11th April – Central Foxwood Lane estate
It is hoped that residents groups from other parts of York will join in with the initiative
It’s been difficult weather conditions for York Council staff attempting to clear the back log of this years leaf-fall.
Residents should use https://www.york.gov.uk/reportproblems to report outstanding issues
We’ve reported several instances where fallen leaves could resent a safety issue.
Wear and tear takes its toll of street furniture and access gates. Maintenance work is needed at several locations.
We’re reporting leaf fall issues when they represent a safety issue. No one expects the Council to clear all leaves immediately but footpaths do need some priority.
We reported the self seeded Sycamore tree on Balfour Street several months ago and were promised that it would receive attention. The tree has damaged the adjacent railings and made the adjacent path uneven. The tree needs to be replaced, with an appropriate species, on the ample adjacent site.
In the meantime Balfour Street is covered in tree detritus and needs to be cleared
Initially we thought this was a joke but apparently not.
The York Council is now seeking volunteer “Leaf Wardens”. Their job will be to sweep up fallen leaves from (Council owned) public places including highways.
Now we know that many residents do try to keep the area outside their homes clean and tidy. Many will pick up litter, remove weeds and even mow verges.
Some may sweep up fallen leaves while others may clear snow.
The motivation for most volunteers is to improve the appearance of their neighbourhood over and above what is possible using the resources available to the local authority.
But it is what the label suggests – a voluntary action prompted by community pride.
In our view, the Council is now trying too hard to institutionalise and exploit that goodwill
So we now have “snow wardens”, “flood wardens” and “litter pickers” all kitted out by the Council.
The collapse of the weed killing programme this summer, footpaths blocked by overgrown trees/ hedges and, most recently, a sharp decline in the reliability of the bin emptying service should have acted as a “wake up” call to the Councils leadership.
What residents first want to see – before they are asked to do a second job as well as their day job – is the Council delivering good quality public services at street level on a consistent basis.
No one expects leaves to be swept up immediately the first bad weather of autumn arrives. But they do expect to be told what the Council will do, when and to what standard.
The council should publish revised “customer contracts” or “Service Level Agreements” and report back regularly on improvement plans.
They should then consult Parish Councils, Councillors and residents associations before they offer any patronising training on how to sweep up leaves.
High winds have been blamed for he increase in litter seen today. Insecure recycling has been blown around many suburbs with the Council struggling to catch up on their collection schedules post New Year.
Full litter bin on Bellhouse Way
Leaf and tree detritus in gutters on Askham Croft
Litter blown by high winds today in St Stephens Road
Surface water problem at junction of Ashford Place and Ascot Way
Waterlogged verges are being damaged by vehicles
As we reported last week, the Council has been slow to deal with a hazard presented by an overgrown rose bush on the Tedder Road park. Its thorn branches have been overhanging a footpath at eye height for several weeks.
Cllr. Sheena Jackson has now taken direct action herself over the weekend and cut back the dangerous branches . We hope that the Council will soon trim the rest of the bush.
While in the park, Sheena took the opportunity to sweep up the leaf fall in the well used snicket which links Otterwood Lane and the Tedder Road park. The Council has been asked to clear broken glass from several locations in the area.
Residents are reminded that the current cycle is the last for emptying green bins (garden waste – including leaves) until April.
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”
