Works set to improve Monkgate roundabout safety

City of York Council will be improving the layout of the roundabout on Monkgate in an effort to improve safety for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Work will start on Monday 6 November and is expected to be completed by early December. Work will take place from 7am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday. To ensure that it is carried out safely there will be some lane closures during the works.

The improvements will see the approach to the roundabout on Huntington Road altered with improved crossing facilities at the traffic island. There will also be a new mandatory cycle lane on Huntington Road o enable cyclists to bypass any queuing traffic to use the off road route.

A shared use foot/cycle path will also be created on the corner of Huntington Road and Heworth Green. The width of the traffic islands on Heworth Green will also be increased to allow cyclists to use them safely.

The scheme was originally approved at an executive member for transport and planning decision session on 13 October 2016. This followed a consultation with homeowners on Monkgate and Huntington Road with most supporting the safety improvements.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption. Residents in the affected area have been contacted directly and assured that everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum. However, motorists should expect some delays and plan their journey accordingly.

Changes made to Thanet Road highway plans

The responsible Council executive member – Ian Gillies – has today thrown out plans which would have seen use of the bus lay-bys on Thanet Road discontinued.

The plan to close the lay-by on the Rugby Club side of the road caused major concerns with drivers fearing that sight lines would be impeded by buses parked on the highways.

There were also fears that traffic congestion would increase as would pollution levels.

The proposal was opposed by officers of the Foxwood Residents Association who argued that the plans were “over engineered” and unnecessarily expensive.

An alternative, which would have kept the bus lay-bys together with an advisory 20 mph speed limit and guard rails to prevent children running onto the highway, was tabled by local residents.

The bus lay-bys have now been saved but additional road humps are to be installed, despite the fact that the Council has now admitted that average speeds are well below the 30 mph limit.

The Residents Association has asked that they be consulted early on when proposals like these are considered in future.

So how safe are Council flats in York?

We’ve been out checking today

Clearly a check needs to be made on those blocks which have not recently been redecorated to ensure notices are up to date.

Fire procedure notice

We think that the housing department needs to proactively communicate with tenants to reassure them following this weeks tragic news from London.

Combustible storage notice

York has relatively few high rise blocks but, even at those with 2 or 3 storeys, checks need to be made on alarm systems, lighting, fire doors and electrical safety.

The results of the latest Fire Service safety audit needs to be publicly displayed in each block

We think that tenants should be offered smoke alarms and free electrical equipment safety checks.

We hope that the council will ensure that both primary and secondary safety requirements are highlighted in any planning decisions made on new or modernised flat developments ( including conversions such as the one agreed for the former Nestle factory as recently as Thursday).

Fire exit direction sign

Finally the Council needs to reconsider whether it should be consulting on transferring its stock into the management of an “arms length company”. This weeks events point to the insensitivity of such arrangements with both tenants and Councillors frustrated at a lack of engagement by officials.

Better to refine the tried and tested Council housing model which at least allows tenants to exercise some control through the ballot box.

The present system is far from perfect but appears to be better than the other available options.

“Clear your escape routes” say NY Fire and Rescue

Education day aims to ensure York’s students stay safe

Police and educational institutions in York have joined forces to make sure young people studying in the city stay safe.

The day, on Thursday 6 October, focused on vulnerability, providing the right support to students, and protecting them from drinking to excess, drugs, domestic abuse, hate crime and other issues affecting young people.

Attendees received presentations from Supporting Victims, the Lifeline drug abuse charity, and police officers with specialist training in dealing with hate crime, sexual abuse and modern-day slavery.
(more…)

Dozens of cyclists spoken to in bike light safety operation in York

A campaign to keep road users safe in York saw 17 cyclists reported for offences and 12 more given words of advice on Tuesday 18 October.

Officers were at the city’s

Micklegate,
Bootham and
Walmgate Bars

for two hours on Tuesday evening, to target the minority of cyclists who cause a danger to themselves and others by cycling without lights during hours or darkness, as well as those who cycle on footpaths.

The high-profile campaign will continue as the nights draw in, with further evening operations planned.

As part of the campaign, City of York Council has funded high-visibility rucksack covers and small sets of emergency cycle lights. They will be offered to young people and other vulnerable people who would otherwise have to walk home if they were forced to continue their journey without lights. Officers will continue to issue tickets for cycling offences if necessary.

PCSO Chris Turner, of York Police, said: “The nights are getting much darker now, and it is really important that cyclists take their safety on the roads seriously. Having lights on your bike which are in good working order is essential to ensure that other road users can see you and drive accordingly.

“This operation has in the past been well-received by cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Thanks to our joint work with City of York Council, cyclists who put themselves and others at risk can be educated and sent on their way, not just with a ticket or fine, but also with the means to get home safely if they are vulnerable.”

Police out tonight keeping York safe for young people

Organisations in York are working together this summer to help children and young people enjoy their holiday safely right from the start.

Over the school holidays, North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council will head Operation Liberate, an initiative that will identify young people in potentially vulnerable situations, and take steps to keep them safe.

While York is a very safe city, young people may be at risk due to their location, the time of day, their peer group and the potential for anti-social behaviour.

Operation Liberate ran for the first time in 2015, and got underway this year on Saturday 23 July. Under the operation, young people identified to be potentially at risk can be brought to a designated ‘place of safety’. There, they will be spoken to and advised by police and volunteers, and referred on to other organisations if necessary.

Partner agencies including domestic abuse charity IDAS, the NHS, Lifeline and the council will work together with specially-trained volunteers to ensure any particularly vulnerable young people get the support they need.

Inspector Lee Pointon, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “It’s vital that we do everything we can to help young people in York keep safe. During the summer holidays, some youngsters may find themselves in potentially harmful situations. We and partner organisations can support them, to ensure they don’t put themselves at unnecessary risk.

“Operation Liberate is all about working together to support these young people so we can identify their needs at an early stage and help avoid any problems recurring in the future.”

Success as hedge trimmed from footpath but that graffiti!

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 hate Communists (and spell checkers)

Graffiti anarchists also hate Communists (and, apparently, spell checkers)

York St John students join forces with North Yorkshire Police to promote a safer Christmas

York St John University Business Management students have been working with North Yorkshire Police on the force’s Twitter campaign around Christmas safety.

York St John lecturer Mark Dransfield with his Business Management students who have been working with North Yorkshire Police

As part of their Digital Business Communication module students were looking at strategies to develop effective internal and external operational communications. They explored a range of tools, models and strategies and Tom Stirling, Digital Communications Manager at North Yorkshire Police, came into a student session to look at North Yorkshire Police’s use of social media.

Mark Dransfield, Senior Lecturer in Business Management, said: “One of the unique things about this module is that I engage with several partners in industry in order to give more meaning and a direct relevance to the theories we look at. This year I have worked with Portakabin and North Yorkshire Police (NYP).

“I chose NYP because they have a great social media profile, are very active and have won awards for their social media activities.”

Students were asked to develop a campaign for a tweet chat, a live chat – typically an hour long – held on Twitter. Participants use a hash tag to engage with and follow the conversation and tweet chats are often moderated with moderators asking up to six questions to prompt engagement. (more…)

York river safety improvements announced

The York Council is to fund a further £50,000 of work to improve safety near the rivers that flow through the City.

A range of river safety measures were recommended by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents last year

Phase one of the work programme includes the introduction of new life buoys, post and chain fencing along the River Foss and improvements to river side tow paths.

Phase two of the work will see new ladders and chains installed to aid exit from the river and replacement post and chain fencing at Wellington Row and Kings Staith.