Mixed outlook on several outstanding public service issues in west York
….But weeds cleared from Dijon Avenue garage area by Council. Now looks very tidy.
Action needed, Action taken
£18,000 spent by York Council on ineffective weed control contract
It emerged today that the York Council has already handed over £18,498.70 this year to the contractor charged with controlling weed growth in the City.
The figure conflicts with assurances given at a public review meeting held earlier in the week when the impression was given that payments were being withheld because of poor performance.
The contract states that treated areas must be “98%” free of weed growth. Clearly this isn’t the case in most of the City. In additional several major roads and areas were omitted by the Council – in error – from the contract. These areas, including parts of the A59 and A1237, are still not showing any “die back” as a result of the promised “third treatment”
The meeting on Monday was largely indecisive. A further review is promised but it appears that the existing contract isn’t being terminated.
There are no plans to undertake weed control activities in at least a “trial” sector of the City using the Councils own workforce. This would have allowed work quality claims to be tested.
The latest revelations are likely to lead to renewed calls for greater transparency on the activities of the Councils’ partners. One Councillor (Mark Warters) has already asked for copies of weed control activity worksheets for his ward to be published. In addition, many residents believe that the results of contract supervisory checks should be made public. These issues may be subject to a Freedom of Information request.
A list of suggested initiatives was presented by residents to the meeting (above right). A response is awaited.
Bad news for City centre traders
Grim in Acomb
The latest footfall figures, reproduced by the BID team, reveal that there has been a 4% drop in visitor numbers so far this year. It is even worse on a year on year basis and is below the county average
That is a poor platform on which to approach the, normally busy, run up to Christmas.
In Acomb, the picture is slightly different with some traders reporting steady business trends. This is despite the lamentable performance recently of the Council in keeping open spaces, gutters and the areas around trees and street furniture free of weeds and litter.
The picture in residential areas is also disappointing with weeds disfiguring many streets
Time to spend the cycle budget
More evidence of neglect of our cycle routes. Two of the direction signs on the cycle link between Thanet Road and Sherringham Drive have been removed.
Time to use some of the Councils large cycling budget to get the signs replaced and to get the white lines repainted?
Weed growth damaging York’s appearance
Meeting on Monday to consider possble solutions.
It looks like the improvements to the weed killing programme on hard surfaces have failed to materialise.
A “third” application of weed killer was to have been applied to drainage gullies, footpaths, forecourts and other areas during the last 4 weeks.
While there have been improvements to some traffic islands (the build up of silt on Longfield Lane, Foxwood Lane and Gale Lane has been removed) the vast majority of the A1237 is remains overgrown.
The A59, Water Lane and Jockey Lane – all reported months ago – remain untreated.
There will be some serious questions to be answered at the meeting.
Weeds – The Councils response
The Council response to the collapse of the weed control programme this summer will be published tomorrow.
To prepare us for the shock the responsible Executive member has published a media release including the following comment
” We recognise that we could be doing more to improve weed growth in the city”
We are not optimistic
York cycle paths still obstructed
The Council’s PR department is saying that mechanical means may be used in future to remove weeds from footpaths and gullies in the City.
That can’t happen soon enough for most residents following the collapse of his years – chemical – treatment programme.
More of the cycle network is now subject to obstruction from overgrowing vegetation. It is a problem on Bishopthorpe Road near the Racecourse while the Naburn Lane path is impeded by nettles.
York Council “on a roll” with clean up work
The traffic islands at the junction of Station Road, Poppleton with the A59 have been cleared of weeds and detritus by the Council. The long overdue improvement has given this key entry into the City a much needed boost.
There is still a lot of work to do removing weeds from the gutters while some of the trees still need cutting back from the paths.
….and thanks to the York Bid team who have completed the removal of weeds, cans and detritus from the Ouse Bridge parapet. Another busy location given a much needed face-lift.
York Council making progress in dealing with complaints
More on weed control in York
The Council has now replied to our complaint about inadequate weed control on public areas this summer.
They candidly accept now that the spraying has not been satisfactory.
They are now commencing a re-spray. The spray will include a colouring agent which will show which areas have received attention.
This will be supplemented by Council staff who will work on areas not included on the contract. The areas near Poppleton on the A59 are a high priority.
Another problem has developed with obstructions to public cycle and footpaths.
Again the path on the A59 is one that is blocked
