Updated Dringhouses residents survey results
These are the public opinion survey results for West York updated as at 20th December 2013.
| Traffic congestion getting worse? | Agree | 91% |
| Disagree | 2% | |
| Unde | 7% | |
| Lendal Bridge closure a success | Agree | 7% |
| Disagree | 80% | |
| Unde | 13% | |
| Lendal bridge – lift access restrictions | Agree | 87% |
| Disagree | 5% | |
| Unde | 8% | |
| No justification for building in Green Belt | Agree | 90% |
| Disagree | 3% | |
| Unde | 7% | |
| Public service standards are deteriorating | Agree | 89% |
| Disagree | 2% | |
| Unde | 9% | |
| I am opposed to city wide 20 mph speed limit | Agree | 81% |
| Disagree | 7% | |
| Unde | 12% |
The Council is also conducting an “on line” poll on the Lendal Bridge “trial”
It can be accessed by clicking here.
Hob Moor development gets go ahead
Hungate, Askham Bryan, Terry’s, Lawrence Street also approved
Approved plan for Hob Moor site click to enlarge
The controversial house building plans for the former Our Lady’s school site on Windsor Garth were approved by the Planning Committee last night. It appears though that the scheme may now be referred to the Secretary of State for his views.
Although the revised plans were an improvement on those originally submitted, it remains a very dense development which will add further pressures to public services in the area.
No provision has been made to provide additional parking spaces for those vehicles which will be displaced from the access road.
Astonishingly no restrictions were imposed by the committee on the use of tracked plant outside the line of the existing railings, opening up the possibility that – in wet conditions – parts of the Moor adjacent to the site might be subject to severe damage.
Although most of the existing metal railings area now being retained – allowing the existing trees and bushes to remain in place as a visual screen – on the north side of the site a new wooden fence will be installed.
No reason has been given for replacing the railings with this inferior fence, which is likely to provide less security for both residents and the Moor.
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The committee also approved development plans for offices in Hungate (Haymarket car park), an extension to Askham Bryan College, detailed design features on the Terry’s site as well as the provision of new student accommodation on Lawrence Street.
Latest Lendal Bridge report reveals 3000 drivers a week still being fined
No significant change to Park and Ride bus service journey times as total number fined climbs to 45,000.
The Council have now published an updated report on their web site assessing the impact of the Lendal Bridge closure.
Traffic on Lendal bridge after closure
Any hopes that the information would be objective and impartial are quickly dispelled as the report resorts to sloganising “York remains very much open for business” whatever that is supposed to mean.
The figures for Park and Ride show small increases in the number of passengers (following a trend evident for the last 6 years over which passenger growth on the services has been sustained each year).
Some services show small reductions in journey times since the Lendal Bridge restrictions were introduced. Others – like the link to the Designer Centre – show increases in journey times.
This rather confirms what is so obvious to many – that traffic congestion, on alternative routes to Lendal, is continuing to increase.
No information is provided on normal “stage carriage” bus services.
There was a 10% increase in traffic volumes on Clifton bridge when comparing November 2013 with the same month last year. Increased traffic volumes on Foss Islands Road are also evident.
The report makes no attempt to assess increases in journey times or costs for drivers. There is no information about pollution levels
The Council has also updated the tables showing the number of Penalty Charge Notices issued to drivers on Lendal Bridge and in Coppergate.
The numbers fined on Coppergate doubled to 595 during the St Nicholas Fayre week.
The number issued on Lendal Bridge is still regularly in excess of 2500 a week.
70% of the tickets issued are to visitors to the City
| Lendal: | |
| 02-08 Sept (4 days enforcement, commenced Wednesday | 1675 |
| 09-15 Sept 2015 (6 days enforcement, because of the Skyride event) | 2015 |
| 16-23 Sept (5 days enforcement, cameras updating) | 1766 |
| 23 – 29 September 2,762 PCNs issued (6 days enforcement) | 2762 |
| 30 Sep – 6 October 1,885 PCNs issued (5 days enforcement) | 1885 |
| 7 – 13 October 2,487 PCNs issued (5 days enforcement) | 2487 |
| 14 – 20 October 3,640 PCNs issued | 3640 |
| 21 – 27 October 3,879 PCNs issued | 3879 |
| 28 Oct – 3 November 4,098PCNs issued | 4098 |
| 4 – 10 November 1,921 PCNs issued | 1921 |
| 11 – 17 November 3,172 PCNs issued | 3172 |
| 18 – 24 November 2,801 PCNs issued | 2801 |
| 25 Nov – 2 December 2,553 PCNs issued | 2553 |
| Coppergate: | |
| 15-18 August (4 days enforcement, commenced Wednesday) | 1085 |
| 19-25 August | 1741 |
| 26-01 Sept | 880 |
| 02-08 Septd | 850 |
| 09-15 Sept (6 days enforcement, because of the Skyride event) | 841 |
| 16-22 Sept (5 days enforcement, cameras updating and gas works commenced) | 324 |
| 23 – 29 September 405 PCNs issued (6 days enforcement) | 405 |
| 30 Sep – 6 October 345 PCNs issued (5 days enforcement) | 345 |
| 7 – 13 October 593 PCNs issued (5 days enforcement) | 593 |
| 14 – 20 October 869 PCNs issued | 869 |
| 21 – 27 October 755 PCNs issued (6 days enforcement) | 755 |
| 28 Oct – 3 November 416PCNs issued | 416 |
| 4 Nov – 10 November 146 PCNs issued # | 146 |
| 11 – 17 November 240 PCNs issued # | 240 |
| 18 – 24 November 251 PCNs issued # | 251 |
| 25 Nov – 2 December 595 PCNs issued | 595 |
– Of all PCNs reviewed, up to Monday 8 December 2013, there was a 30:70 split on YO and non-YO postcodes.
# – only one camera operational.
Eat in? Take away? – preferably both!
Good company, great food, Christmas crackers and all the trimmings are usually the ingredients for a great meal out during the festive season. But what about the food hygiene rating? Whatever your recipe for eating out this Christmas, make sure you choose one of the 1,604 of eateries in City of York with a rating of 3 or more.
There are over 800 establishments in York with the highest hygiene score of 5. They include the Acomb Explore Library.
Currently there are 4 premises with a zero food hygiene rating in York.
Look out for the green and black food hygiene rating stickers displayed on windows and doors to find out how businesses in the City of York area are doing. If you can’t see a sticker, then ask staff or check online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by officers from the City of York Council, Food and Safety Unit. Businesses in the area are rated on a scale ranging from 0 which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of 5 which is ‘very good’.
So, whether you’re planning a festive meal out with family, friends or work colleagues or just grabbing a quick lunch when out Christmas shopping; don’t just consider the menu – make sure you check the hygiene rating too!
Dial and ride service seeks more passengers in Dringhouses
York’s Dial & Ride service has helped thousands of elderly and disabled residents travel from their door to their destination for over 20-years
Established in the late 1980s, the flexible bus service helps residents who cannot use conventional bus services, or who require extra assistance at either end of their journey, with door-to-door transport to the city centre or major supermarkets.
Dial & Ride is operated by York Wheels, a voluntary sector service.. York Wheels has a team of 32 volunteers who work for the organisation from one to five days a week
Passengers can book in advance by telephoning01904 551441 during office opening times (weekdays from 9am until 12 noon), but a message can be left outside of these times.
To book the Dial & Ride service, residents follow these four simple steps:
Christmas Decorations at Dringhouses
DATE: Fri 20 Dec
TIME: 10am to 11.30am
VENUE: Dringhouses Library
COST: £3 per child and adult
Bring your children for a Christmas storytelling and make festive decorations to hang on the tree, put in windows or sit on the mantlepiece.
More
Unemployment down in York
Unemployment levels fell again last month across the country.
In York the number claiming job seekers allowance has fallen to 1.6% of the population. That is down from 2.10% in November last year.
Employment trends click to enlarge
A total of 2133 York residents were claiming Job seekers allowance last month. This figure is likely to increase in January as seasonal jobs come to an end.
The lowest ever unemployed numbers were recorded in 2004 when only 1.2% were looking for jobs.
The change reflects an improving economy. The trend in the City almost exactly mirrors the national picture.
Nationally unemployment has dropped by 0.8 percentage points over the last year.
In York the improvement has been less at 0.6 percentage points.
At the last York Council, meeting the Labour Leadership tried to claim that the change was due to their decision to borrow and spend a £28 million Economic Infrastructure Fund. The Fund was started early in 2012.
However, by that time. unemployment had fallen from a peak of 4134 to 3682; a trend that continued.
The only quick way for the public sector to create jobs quickly is – as Hitler and Mussolini demonstrated – by spending on public works (autobahns etc). Such a short term policy does increase the number of construction jobs for a time at least.
The only work of this kind announced by the Council is the so called “bridge to nowhere” at the York Central site. Work on this won’t start for another couple of years at least.
The rest has been squandered on a plethora of uncoordinated initiatives ranging from “free” public WiFi to arts barges and the like.
The only direct effect that the present Council could claim to have had on the local economy is the creation of around 100 apprentice posts at the Council. These post were more than outweighed by job losses incurred as public service standards were been slashed.
The legacy will of course be a huge increase in the debt burden of each resident living in the City.
More disabled parking spaces in York
City of York Council is increasing the amount of disabled parking spaces in York’s city centre.
Blue badge holders are able to park free of charge anywhere in all council owned car parks, which provide a number of spaces that are wider and set aside specifically for use by blue badge holders only.
Work has now begun on expanding the number of disabled spaces in car parks in the city centre to try to better serve those who have restricted mobility.
The number of disabled spaces has increased in the following areas by:
•· Castle car park- increased from six to 13 spaces
•· Bootham Row car park – increased from two to nine spaces
•· Monk Bar car park- increased from three to seven spaces
•· Piccadilly car park- increased by five – which will see an increase in the number of spaces set aside for use at the shopmobility scheme
Groups and individuals can submit suggestions to be considered by emailing highway.regulation@york.gov.uk
Local public service standards threatened by Leeds super authority
Liberal Democrats have raised fresh concerns over York’s membership of a new super council after it was revealed that money could be cut from frontline survices to fund the city’s contribution.
Labour run City of York Council has decided to join with Leeds, Bradford and other West Yorkshire metropolitan authorities in a new super council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, from April 2014. York will be expected to contribute around £4million-a-year to the authority, which will have a range of roles including deciding major local transport schemes and overseeing economic development.
At last week’s Full Council meeting, in response to a question from Lib Dem Councillor Keith Orrell, Labour confirmed that they did not know where the £4million-a-year would come from but they would consider taking it from York’s revenue budget – which funds frontline services.
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