Time to tackle the potholes

When the list of streets which will be resurfaced this year was published a few weeks ago, it prompted disappointment in many areas.

For example the Herman Walk access road to Spurr Court had been scheduled to be resurfaced 4 years ago, but mysteriously disappeared for the programme before work could start. The carriageway has now almost worn away with the base layer increasingly vulnerable to ice damage.

Carriageway near Spurr Court breaking up

Not surprisingly other roads in the same area – which were laid at the same time – are also showing signs of wear and tear. Resurfacing now would avoid more expensive repairs in later years. (NB. The Council was allocated additional monies to cover carriageway repairs earlier in the year)

Potholes on the Foxwood estate are getting bigger each week

Highway defects represent a particular hazard for cyclists. We’ve reported several over the last few days that require prompt attention. The last systematic programme of cycle margin resurfacing works in York took place over 10 years ago.

Howe Street needs resurfacing

…as does Lowfields Drive

Some concrete surfaces are now breaking up. Heavy vehicles, accessing sites on Windsor Garth, are wrecking the Kingsway West highway. This is likely to get worse as work commences on the Ascot Way redevelopment plan

Concrete bays on Kingsway West are fractured
A resurfacing programme for back lanes is also required.

York Council budget should deliver improved road surfaces

The York Council budget agreed last night promises to deliver a major increase its highway resurfacing funding. Most of the funding is earmarked for neighbourhood wide resurfacing programmes.

It remains to be seen in which part of the City this programme will begin.

However, since the Council dramatically cut its maintenance budget 7 years ago, potholes have been on the increase and it will take many years to “catch up” and restore acceptable standards.

Maybe they have a better way of doing things in other countries?

Click

https://youtu.be/sIDGSmv5BJs

 

 

Report those potholes

Residents are urged to report any dangerous potholes on their local road or footpath before the bad weather sets in.

Potholes invariably get bigger in icy conditions.

Reports can be made “on line” 24/7 using the “report it” web site https://www.york.gov.uk/reportproblems  click

The Council have been busy today relaying the road surface at the top end of Foxwood Lane. The carriageway there had been subject to repeated problems with potholes. They posed a hazard for cyclists in particular

We’ve reported a pothole that was developing on the surface of the road in Walker Drive

York Council acts to tackle street level problems – potholes, school parking, weeds/litter, footpath repairs etc

Saturdays story, Now action promised on cleaning up streets

Potential boost for York’s frontline services
York’s frontline services could be set to receive a further financial boost, thanks to the efforts of Liberal Democrat Councillors.
In a report published today, it is proposed that:
  • £1.031 million is used to increase capacity in some of York’s crucial frontline services by utilising £620k that has been unspent and a further £411k of unused contingency fund.
  • It is also proposed that an extra £1 million is brought forward from the 2019/20 budget to resurface some of the worst roads in the City, as a result of the recent extreme winter weather. 
If approved by the Executive, it is proposed that this newly released funding be used to support existing frontline services and launch new initiatives, including:
  • Creating a new work programme for footpath repairs across the city.
  • Establishing an additional team to carry out pothole maintenance.
  • Providing new resources for enforcement teams to control dangerous parking, with a special focus on improving safety around schools.
  • Allowing residents who have had recycling boxes damaged or stolen to claim two free boxes per year.
  • Using the Economic Infrastructure Fund to support high street shopping in Haxby and Acomb.
  • Creating a fund to support voluntary and community groups who wish to develop innovative ideas on how to make the best use of our green spaces.
Cllr Andrew Waller, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of the Council, said:
“Frontline services have always remained our number one priority for the Liberal Democrats and if approved by the Executive in June, this additional investment goes a long way top reaffirm that commitment.”
“Subject to Executive approval, this additional funding can be put to good use in order to carry out extensive highways repairs and considerably improve our public spaces.”
“Just as this investment shows, the Liberal Democrats will continue to uphold our commitment to York’s frontline services and work hard to ensure residents receive the highest standards of service from all Council services.”

York to benefit from pothole fund boost

Tudor Road pothole

City of York Council will benefit from a share of a further £100m fund to repair potholes and storm damage, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced today (Monday, March 26).

The City of York will get over £256,000 to repair the roads following this winter’s adverse weather when road temperatures across York dropped as low as -5.9 degrees and froze on many more occasions than a normal year.    Across the North East, local authorities will benefit from over £4.5m in total.

In addition to a pothole repair fund, we will receive £72,000 to build on our pothole spotter trial aimed at improving road safety by revolutionising the way potholes are identified and managed. The trial will explore the use of high definition remote monitoring to allow for accurate and more frequent surveying of the local road network.

Askham Lane pothole

The pothole-spotter system is mounted to refuse collection vehicles comprised of high-definition cameras, an integrated navigation system and intelligent software.   In addition, residents are encouraged to report potholes at https://doitonline.york.gov.uk/mapeforms/Eform/Highways . Several dozen have been reported – mianly in west York – over the weekend

York praised for pothole filling by independent cycling group

The York Council is the best in Yorkshire when it comes to filling in potholes. It came 19th in a survey of cyclists who rated the performance of 214 local authorities nationwide.

Not only was York in the top 20, but the Council had responded to the largest number of reports (1362) in the area.

It has filled in 89% of the reported potholes

“The Fill that Hole” website – run by Cycling UK – says that “the table ranks highway authorities according to hazards reported through FillThatHole.org.uk, and shows which authorities are best at fixing their road defects and reporting back to us.

We encourage highway authorities and hazard reporters to let us know when a road defect has been fixed. They can do this by replying to the emails we send them, using the contact form, or registering for an account and requesting to be associated with their authority”.

Hazards can be reported “on line” by clicking this link

Best rated with 100% filled in was Islington in London. Worst was Blaenau Gwent which apparently hasn’t managed to fill in any of the 20 potholes reported in their area.

North Yorkshire was ranked at 82 having added 24% of reports. Leeds at 178 had managed to fill in only 12% of potholes.

When the current icy conditions are over, it is likely that several more potholes will open up.

Hopefully residents, local Councillors and MPs will report any problems promptly.

A map of current hazards can be viewed by clicking here

Map of current pothole hazards in York

 

Liberal Democrat Councillor encourages residents to report treacherous potholes

Sheena with the potholes that she reported

Cllr Sheena Jackson, Liberal Democrat Ward Councillor for Westfield, is urging residents to report troublesome potholes on their local roads.

Across York, some sections of the highway have deteriorated due to poor weather conditions and general wear.  Whilst many of these issues are reported and subsequently repaired, there are still some areas which go unreported and unattended.

Residents can report potholes in their communities directly to the Council, even if they are relatively small in size.  In turn, this can help the Council improve upon its current highways database, even if the potholes are too small to be filled at the time of reporting.

Cllr Sheena Jackson, Liberal Democrat Ward Member for Westfield, said:

“Potholes are a regular nuisance for drivers and cyclists, and if left untouched, can deteriorate into serious hazards for road users. The first step in repairing our roads is to ensure all potholes are reported.”

“Recently, I had noticed large and dangerous potholes in my Ward.  Given the size of the pothole, I reported both immediately to the Council and within in a week, they were both filled.”

Workmen filling in potholes

“I want to encourage all residents across York to do the same and report potholes in their local areas.  This can help build the Council’s intelligence of its highways and better yet, lead to improved maintenance of our roads.”

“I would urge anyone to report these issues directly to the Council, or to their local Ward Councillors.”

All potholes and any other issues with the highways can be reported directly to the Council via https://doitonline.york.gov.uk/ or 01904551550  However, if any resident is having difficulties reporting a pothole, or the pothole has been reported and following action has been slow, then please do contact one of your local Liberal Democrat Ward Councillors or Action Teams at info@yorklibdems.org.uk. 

Good progress as hedges cut and potholes filled

The Council has finally got round to removing the self seeded bushes which blocked sight lines from the bus shelter on Askham Lane. The bushes had grown to the point where the footpath was being impeded in summer. Now the original hedge around the field should be able to reassert itself.

Before

After

Following work by Cllrs Sheena Jackson (pictured) and Andrew Waller several potholes on Foxwood Lane were filled in by workmen this morning.

Sheena with the potholes that she reported

Workmen filling in potholes today