A Liberal Democrat view of life in the City of York. This website is edited by Steve Galloway who represented the Westfield area on the City of York Council between 1973 and 2011.
Seems that weed growth is getting out of hand again this summer in the Chapelfields estate. We’ve asked for better street cleaning in the estate.
Too many of the drainage channels near the traffic buildouts are blocked with detritus and weeds
Some of the cul de sacs and garage areas on the estate need to be hand-swept
Several problem areas don’t appear to have had their first application of weed killer yet.
Meanwhile mystery still surrounds the future of the Sanderson House community centre on Bramham Road. The running of the centre was taken over by the Council last year but there is little evidence that activities with a wide appeal will restart there anytime soon.
If any estate would benefit from an active residents association then it is surely Chapelfields. We hope the authorities will provide the necessary support to make this a reality again.
The easing of lockdown restrictions offers the Council an opportunity to try to restore public service standards at least to the level seen in previous, pre-pandemic, years.
Some services are under particular pressure with potholes taking far too long to fill in.
Potholes in Ashford Place, reported several months ago, have still not been filled
Similarly estate management standards have fallen. At this time of year a regular checks needs to be made to ensure that roads and paths are not blocked and that access road surfaces are kept clear of moss and detritus.
Access roads need to be kept free of obstructions
One of the reasons for the decline may be the failure of the Council to fill three of its Housing Management posts. These are the posts that manage individual Council housing estates. They are very much the public face of the Council in their local neighbourhoods.
At least one of the posts has been vacant since last year.
Yet it does not appear among the 57 job vacancies currently being advertised by the Council, none of which are in the housing department. City of York Council Jobs (click)
Simon Daubeney clean up at Foxwood shops
Lack of budget cannot be an excuse for inaction . The housing account makes a surplus of several million pounds each year.
Elsewhere, local Councillor Simon Daubeney undertook a welcome clean up at the Foxwood shops on Saturday.
He will have found and reported the overturned salt bin.
The area has been subject recently to increased levels of vandalism.
The residents association have suspended maintenance of the planters following damage to the plants.
A Great British Spring Clean litter pick is scheduled to take place on Saturday 12th June.
With a period of warmer weather starting, residents are being urged to cut back any hedges or trees which may be overgrowing neighbouring properties or public footpaths.
The work needs to be done before the bird nesting season starts in the spring.
This hedge is obstructing the public footpath on The Mount
Bachelor Hill looking very smart including the wildflwoer meadow.We’ve reported the damaged fence at the Cornlands park play area. The play area is due to officially reopen later this week following the health lock-down.. The fencing was provided to prevent fouling by dogs.Another shopping trolley has made a break for freedom. This one on Tennent RoadWe are still waiting for the goal posts on the Westfield park to be repainted. Been outstanding for three years now. Pitch also needs remarking before the new season starts. Lots of weed growth as a result of the weather this week. Particular problems in Chapelfields and on Askham Lane.Weeds overgrowing the bus shelter on Foxwood Lane again. The Council owned shelter is now looking very shabby now.Damaged utility marker sign on Grange Lane is still lying on the verge despite being reported in January.More snickets now obstructed by overhanging trees.
Thanks to JRHT who have cut back the hedges on, and cleared litter from, the Teal Drive pocket park and also Bellhouse Way. Looks much tidier and safer.
Broken glass on Herman Walk footpath reportedAlso dog fouling on a local snicketUnfortunately the volunteer litter pick had to be abandoned today because of wet weather. We hope residents will find time to clean up their own streets over the next few days. We also still need residents to check that any boundary hedges (particularly thorn hedges) are trimmed back from footpaths.
Mixed outlook on several outstanding public service issues in west York
We’ve reported a broken utility sign at the top of Grange LaneExposed cables have been tied to street signs in Milner Street for several weeks now.Graffiti and litter continue to blight the Grange Lane snickets We’ve suggested that hard core be used to make footpaths in the Grange Lane Westfield Park usable in wet weatherNew record holder for the largest weed award. This 3 metre monster in Dijon Avenue next to a telegraph pole. Loose rubbish continues to blight the rear of Front StreetOvergrown snicket on Gale Lane becoming a crime concern. We”ve asked the Ward Councillors to act.Reported yet again litter, detritus and weeds on the Tithe Close snicket. Issue recorded by the Council as “solved” Clearly not!Weeds flourishing on Hotham Avenue….and Foxwood Lane….and School Street
….But weeds cleared from Dijon Avenue garage area by Council. Now looks very tidy.
Work on levelling footpaths on Front Street has started. A Ward Committee funded scheme aimed at providing level access from the Gale Farm Court area into the shopping area for those using disability scooters.
Litter at the top of Foxwood Lane has been reported
& the weather inevitably means that vehicles parking on verges will damage them. We hope that work on providing a lay-by on Askham Lane will start shortly
Shocking pictures of dumping to the rear of shops on Front Street. Cllr Sue Hunter is following up the issue.
Complaints are increasing about lack of maintenance of the Leeman Road Nature Reserve. There has been a lot of dumping, tree detritus blights surrounding streets and some public footpaths are obstructed.
Work started on resurfacing Front Street. The road will be closed again tomorrow (Sunday) to permit the completion of the work
Cllr Sheena Jackson has started a survey aimed at finding out what improved leisure facilities youngsters in the Foxwood area would like to see.
Cllr Sheena Jackson has been meeting with the Local Police Community Support Officers to discuss anti social behaviour issues in the area
& a quick litter pick by Sheena in the Tedder Road park
Lack of parking space on Windsor Garth is now a major issue. No sign yet of much needed matrix protection
Developers will take down a section of the railings around part of the Hob Stones development in the autumn. It is being replaced with an (ugly) close boarded fence (which is 4 metres high on the north side)
Unfortunately the Council has not updated the notices displayed on public noticeboards in the Kingsway area. There is a lot going on so this is a missed opportunity.
Road works starting on Windsor Garth link road upgrade on 30th August. Plan shows that speed tables will be repaired.
Deep clean needed on Windsor Garth
Recurrence of litter problems on Kingsway West/Green Lane snicket & kick about area
Bus stop paving on Hamilton Drive West disappearing under verge. Litter reported by Cllr Sue Hunter.
Damaged Gully cover Danesfort Ave to be re-aligned to avoid flooding
Weeds and detritus reported on Gale Lane lay-by. We’ve asked for road markings on the adjacent Stuart Road hammerhead to be repainted
Cllr Andrew Waller has reported an overhanging tree Thanet Road
