Hopes that the number of affordable homes provided in York during the 2012/13 financial year would show an increase over previous years have been dashed.

Latest figures, provided by the Labour Council’s spokesperson on Thursday, confirm an outturn of 120 additional affordable homes for the year.

This is the lowest number for 6 years.

Next year things are set to get even worse. The outturn could be as few as 90 units.

Under the last Labour Government Council house building reached a, post second world war, low.

Of these, only 33 are contributions from section 106 agreements (where a builder is required by the terms of a planning permission to provide a proportion of a development for low cost purchase or rent).

Meanwhile both Housing Associations and the private sector seem to be cutting the number of homes that they intend to build on sites which already have planning permission

The Rowntree development at Derwenthorpe (Osbaldwick) will now have 51 units less than was originally intended.

At Germany Beck (Fulford) the latest “reserved matters” planning application is for 655 dwellings. The original planning consent was for 720 dwellings.

Both decisions are likely impact on the number of affordable units which will be provided at each site.

Click the following links to read more

See also Housing completions still falling

Waiting list continues to grow

New homes fail to materialise

York is affirming its position as one of the safest cycling cities in the UK with plans to introduce a major new cycle route in the north of the city.

Propsed cycle path. Click to enlarge

Supported by North Yorkshire Police and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the scheme proposes to introduce a safe off-road shared cycle and pedestrian route along the A1237 outer ring road, between the Haxby Road roundabout and the B1363 Wigginton Road roundabout, connecting over 15,000 people living in this area of York.

The proposed measures also include new crossing links with Haxby Road on both sides of the roundabout, a new bridge over the York to Scarborough railway line with approach ramps on the existing embankments and an additional crossing point on Wigginton Road to safely connect with Clifton Moor.

The provision of an off-road route/safe link opens up access (sustainably, via cycling and/or walking) between Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, Earswick, New Earswick and to the retail, leisure and employment destination of Clifton Moor as well as students attending Joseph Rowntree School.

The new cycle route has been made possible by £4.6 million of government funding.

Residents can find out more about the proposed new cycle route by visiting www.york.gov.uk/haxbytocliftonmoor to view the proposals and to complete a short survey regarding the scheme. The council is particularly keen to obtain the views of any potential users of the route. All responses should be returned by Friday 17 May.

Background information can be found by clicking here

Alternatively, residents can attend the following Ward Committee meetings at:
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The Council confirmed 2 weeks ago that there will be no supplementary charge for emptying the first green bin at each home.

However, at tonights (Thursdays) Council meeting Labour rejected calls from LibDem and Tory Councillors to abolish the proposed £35 a year charge for second and subsequent additional green bins.

The reduced hours of operation at the Towthorpe recycling centre were also confirmed.

Garden waste collection may be scrapped

Liberal Democrats Councillors will make a final bid to have the changes overturned when the Councils Cabinet meets on Tuesday of next week.

A petition containing around 2000 signatures opposing Labours plans has been collected by the LibDems.

Meanwhile, Monday 1 April will see the council resume the schedule of fortnightly garden waste collections.

When residents check their waste collections calendars next week they will probably be surprised to find that it runs out at the end of March and no updated one has been delivered.

In an email to me Officers have said “We will not be sending out replacement ones at this time as in June the round restructure will be implemented and we will be sending out new full year calendars to all households in anticipation of the start of the new collection rounds.

We have however produced interim calendars for April until June that are available on the Postcode Lookup service on the CYC website or by contacting the York Customer Centre either via email or phone. We are advertising their availability widely. Our advertising also advises residents of the return to fortnightly garden waste collections from 1st April.”

With no regular city wide Council publication the Council is relying more and more on electronic communication which can leave those without internet access in the dark about changes to Council services.

Residents will be well advised to keep their eye out for the new calendars as the “round restructure” will be a major change to the current system. Waste and recycling will no longer be collected on the same day on alternate weeks and residents will not only have to remember is it is “grey waste” or “recycling” week but which day of the week to leave their waste out.

Residents can find their collection calendar by clicking here and are advised to refer to their calendar to find out what the arrangements are over the Spring months.

For more information about garden waste collections over the Spring period click here

Residents who would like a paper copy of the collection calendar are asked to contact 01904 551551or email ycc@york.gov.uk

A copy of the new timetables for the much changed 24 service and which will operate from 14th April can be accessed by clicking here

click to enlarge

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The number 26/27 services are also changing on the same date click here

NB Transdev services over Easter will run as follows:
• Friday 29th March (Good Friday) | Saturday service
• Saturday 30th March | Saturday service
• Sunday 31st March (Easter Sunday) | Sunday service
• Monday 1st April (Easter Monday) | Sunday service

The Government has now put comparative road safety stats on line. Click here.

The results show that the City had 27.8 casualties per 1000 population (pk) by 2011 – down from 39.8 pk in 2005.

Ironically the City which has gone furthest in introducing wide area 20 mph speed limits (Portsmouth), was still recording 39.8 casualties in 2011.

Proliferation of unnecessary speed limit signs is annoying drivers

The most dangerous place to travel in the Yorkshire area was Doncaster (46.02 pk).

The number of collisions (per 100 million vehicle miles) in York was 85.9. The comparative figures for North Yorkshire were 54.83 and Leeds 86.13.

York was spending £5.57 per 1000 residents in repairing roads by 2011. This compared to £7.13 being spent in the North Yorkshire area (which has a much larger length of roads).

Capital spend on road safety was £2587 per 1000 population. This compared to only £30.18 being spent in North Yorkshire. (capital expediture varies substantially from year to year)

Since 2011, of course, the York Council has cut its road maintenance budget by 1/3 while large amounts are being diverted into introducing a 20 mph speed limit.

At the budget Council meeting in February the Council announced further cuts including a £75,000 reduction in expenditure on road safety. The cut takes effect in 2014.

Residents will be looking anxiously at the 2012 figures when they are published on the government web site for any sign that the reduction in accidents, achieved in the previous few years, has stalled.

Pothole on Foxwood Lane (now fixed following a report via “my Council” see right)

Meanwhile the number of potholes on roads in the City continues to grow. The AA have recently published an independent survey of road conditions which reveals that Yorkshire has the worst road surfaces in the country.

The Council are obliged to repair unsafe roads. Defect reports can be made by clicking on one of the following web links.

My Council

Fix my Street

“The York Minster Stoneyard is one of the largest in the country, and a centre of excellence for many traditional crafts including masonry, carving and carpentry.

A rare opportunity has arisen to train as apprentice on a four-year contract, reviewed annually, working with and learning from some of the most skilled craftsmen in the country.

The Apprenticeship includes a programme of part-time study at York College.

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic individual with a passion for developing masonry skills and the ability to contribute to the work of one of the great cathedrals of the world.

Click here for further details

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 30 April and interviews are scheduled for week commencing 13 May”.

“The York Minster Stoneyard is one of the largest in the country, and a centre of excellence for many traditional crafts including masonry, carving and carpentry.

A rare opportunity has arisen to train as apprentice on a four-year contract, reviewed annually, working with and learning from some of the most skilled craftsmen in the country.

The Apprenticeship includes a programme of part-time study at York College.

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic individual with a passion for developing masonry skills and the ability to contribute to the work of one of the great cathedrals of the world.

Click here for further details

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 30 April and interviews are scheduled for week commencing 13 May”.

Over the Easter period the following arrangements will apply:

Good Friday, 29th March
Park & Ride services 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 – Normal Friday service
Main network services 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13 & 14 – Sunday service
Main network services 11, 15 & 16 – No service

Easter Saturday, 30th March
Normal Saturday service

Easter Sunday, 31st March
Normal Sunday service

Easter Monday, 1st April
Park & Ride services 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 – Normal Monday service
Main network services 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13 & 14 – Sunday service
Main network services 11, 15 & 16 – No service

Tuesday 2nd April
Normal service resumes