Campaign launched to reduce anti social behaviour

Cllr Sheena Jackson points out a damaged cycle barrier

Problems with anti social behaviour usually increase at this time of year but recently problems have reached new levels.

A cycle barrier at the entrance to the Thanet Road sports are was knocked over last week. Although there were signs of corrosion on part of the barrier, the responsibility has been placed at the feet of vandals. A temporary barrier is being installed this week,.

Elsewhere in the Foxwood area, noisy mopeds and cars trying to do hand break turns on amenity areas have been reported. We would expect that the police – who didn’t attend a residents association meeting yesterday – will be able to deal quickly with vehicle related issues like these.

Anyone spotting anti social behaviour or potential vehicle offences should report them to 101.

NB. The number of Police officers in the area has reduced over recent years. Crime levels are creeping up.

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. 

Action taken – Sheena steps in to deal with Tedder Road park problems

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.

 

York Council criticised for slow response to fly tipping reports on Foxwood park

….as £50,000 a year expenditure on other parks announced

Fly tipping in Foxwood Park

More fly tipping

Cllr Sheena Jackson has criticised the Council for failing to clear up fly tipping on the Foxwood Park.

The tipping was reported nearly 3 months ago.

Sheena says she received an email from CYC “confirming it was agreed to be cleared it but it is still there”.

This was disappointing news for the volunteers who work hard to make sure that the park is kept clean.

There has been an outstanding display of daffodils this year and work has been undertaken to reduced ponding at the entrance gates to the field. A set of goal posts are expected to be erected on the field later in the year.

Good display of daffodils in Foxwood Park this year. Most were planted by volunteers

Sheena and the team have been cleaning up the park again this week

One issue being reported are potholes in the surface of the grassed area. It is a particular difficulty for partially sighted users.

 

Meanwhile the Council has announced that it will spend £50,000 a year supporting volunteers working in other parks in the City.

A report outlining proposals to “harness the expertise of community groups, provide volunteering opportunities and improve York’s green spaces” will be considered by the executive member for culture, leisure and tourism on 18 April.

The report sets out proposals to allocate £50,000 per annum funding to community projects at five parks in the city. “The proposals follow a wide ranging consultation by York CVS on behalf of the council”.

York CVS engaged with local stakeholders to discover the community needs and the best way for these needs to be fulfilled by local groups through the Growing Green Spaces scheme.

The funding has been specifically aimed towards five sites in the city. Proposals for each site were received by York CVS and have been recommended for approval including:

  • · Rowntree Park – this bid is lead by the Friends of Rowntree Park along with partners. They want to increase their care of the existing shrub / herbaceous borders and develop new garden features which will widen the appeal of the park
  • · West Bank Park – The project will be undertaken by the Blueberry Academy Gardening Team, which provides valuable work experience for trainees largely aged 18 to 24 with learning difficulties.  The proposal is to create a sensory garden in the park which will become an ongoing long term base from which the academy can operate.
  • · Glen Gardens – A bid by Therapeutic Art and Play Therapy Yorkshire with the support of the Friends of Glen Gardens and Refuge Action York. The project will see the group take over an existing shrub / herbaceous border meaning it will no longer need council care.
  • · Hull Road Park – A bid by The Conservation Volunteers will see weekly supported sessions with volunteers undertaking a range of horticultural and non horticultural tasks.
  • · Clarance Gardens – This project will utilise the same approach and source of volunteers as the Hull Road Park scheme.  The programme will focus on continuing the recent work in the Gardens which has seen the brightening up of the shrub beds with new planting.These changes will improve the visual impact of the gardens, be better for wildlife and reduce long term maintenance obligations.
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Final bush and tree lopping before nesting season

Residents in west York have been completing hedge trimming work over the last few days.

Bushes which have obscured the view from the Askham Lane bus stop are being removed.

The Council has promised to cut back overhanging highway trees and the local ward committee has allocated a budget for the work. 

Elsewhere Sheena Jackson and local residents have been giving the boundary hedge in the Foxwood park a final trim (below).

Arrangements are in place for the Great British Clean up next Saturday.

Join the Foxwood Residents Association as they “walk the bounds”