Call for re-think on bus diversion

Lib Dem councillors are calling on council bosses and First Bus to reverse a decision which has left bus passengers in the west of York unable to easily get to York railway station.

First Bus posted a surprise message on X (formerly Twitter) on 15th October announcing that the number 4, which connects Acomb, Foxwood and Dringhouses with the city centre, and the number 3 Askham Bar Park & Ride service, would no longer stop at York station until further notice. The move is apparently an attempt to reduce the number of buses stopping at the station whilst the station frontage works are underway.

Many passengers getting the number 4 bus into town this morning (16th October) got an unwelcome surprise when the bus, rather than turning left from Blossom Street towards the station, turned right into Nunnery Lane. One resident contacted the Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Lib Dem councillors to tell of how he had to run to get his train, getting wet in the process. The councillors have asked officers for an explanation and also why there has been so little publicity other than on social media.

Dringhouses & Woodthorpe councillor Paula Widdowson commented: “We were as surprised as many local residents when we heard about this – the communications have been non-existent, with no information on the First York website or the council’s iTravel website. I hope that the council and First Bus reverse this decision.”

Tadcaster Road resident Glenn Sargent said “The decision to divert these very popular bus services away from the station makes no sense. We want more people to use the bus to get to the station, rather than use a car, so I don’t understand the logic behind this decision. It will just make it more difficult for people to get to where they need to be using public transport.”

Cllr Andrew Waller has highlighted the impact that the diversion will have on residents in his Westfield ward:

“For residents in the Foxwood and Cornlands Road areas of the ward, the number 4 bus is crucial in enabling them to access services and onward connections in the city centre. This diversion will cause real issues for many residents for whom the bus is their only means of getting around. There needs to be an urgent re-think.”

Woodthorpe shops pavement repairs underway

Local councillors have welcomed the start of works to make the paved area in front of a busy parade of shops in Woodthorpe a safer place for pedestrians.

Cllr Stephen Fenton has welcomed the work to make the area safer

In recent years a number of residents have tripped and fallen on rocking and uneven paving slabs in front of the shops on Moorcroft Road which prompted councillors to seek to persuade the current leasehold owners of the land – Morrisons supermarket – to take action to make the area safer.

The paved area presented a hazard for pedestrians

A petition signed by 60 concerned local residents was presented by Cllr Stephen Fenton to the previous Leaseholders – McColls – in October 2021, but this did not prompt the necessary repairs.

Then in September 2022 Cllr Fenton notified the leaseholder and freeholder of a particularly nasty incident where a lady had tripped and fallen, sustaining two swollen and badly bruised knees, bleeding hands, a fractured finger and bleeding lip. She was stranded on the ground until a passing motorist stopped and offered help. Councillors also requested that council officers write to the landowner to encourage them to take steps to make the area safer.

Cllr Fenton commented “It has taken a long time and lot of effort, but it is great to see work underway to make the paved area in front of the shops safer.

“There has recently been welcome investment to transform the interior of the nearby Dick Turpin pub, and we want to encourage people to shop locally and support the fantastic businesses that we have in Woodthorpe. If people feel safer when they are out and about, then that’ll be good for business.”

Latest planning application for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

Below are the latest planning applications from the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Address       12 White House Gardens York YO24 1EA

Proposal      Installation of air source heat pump to rear

Reference   24/01084/FUL

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Representations can be made in support of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received

Latest planning applications for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

Below are the latest planning applications from the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

32 Acomb Wood Drive York YO24 2XN

Fell 1no. Oak (T3) and 1no. Cypress and cut back overhanging branches of 2no. Oaks and 3no. Ash – protected by Tree Preservation Order No.10

Ref. No: 24/01692/TPO 

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45 Leeside York YO24 2PS

Two storey side extension and single storey front and rear extensions following demolition of garage

Ref. No: 24/01658/FUL

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16 Nevis Way York YO24 2XF

Two storey rear extension

Ref. No: 24/01635/FUL 

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1 Cherry Lane York YO24 1QH

Single storey side/rear extension, erection of detached double garage to rear, solar panels to side roofslope and landscaping/fenestration alterations following demolition of existing garage

Ref. No: 24/01616/FUL 

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25 Acomb Wood Close York YO24 2SN

Crown lift up to 4m from ground level and remove deadwood from 1no. Oak protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC81

Ref. No: 24/01741/TPO 

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Land Lying To The South Of Nelsons Lane York

Removal of all new epicormic regrowth from Sycamore stumps located on the northern border and epicormic regrowth on the western boundary (removing stems up to a maximum of 75mm diameter) and up to 1m lateral reduction from current crown extents of Leylandii hedge – trees protected by Tree Preservation Order No.9

Ref. No: 24/01701/TPO 

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Site To South Of 24 Chaloners Road York

Reserved matters application for access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of 1no. detached dwelling (plot 3)

Ref. No: 24/01683/REM 

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Site To South Of 24 Chaloners Road York

Erection of 1no. dwelling

Ref. No: 24/01610/FUL 

A design and access statement for this property, which utilises one of the Council’s “self-build plots” on the former garage area can be read via this link (click)

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Representations can be made in support of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online website.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Hopes rise for repairs to paved area at Woodthorpe shops

There are signs that long-awaited repairs to the paved area in front of the shops on Moorcroft Road may be imminent.

In recent years a number of residents have tripped and fallen on the rocking and uneven paving slabs in the area. Local councillors have been trying to persuade the leasehold owners of the land – Morrisons supermarket – to take action to make the area safer.

Morrisons’ latest response does offer some hope of progress. They state “everything has been approved and repair work will be carried out soon. Please note there will be a lot of aspects that need to be for the repairs, please give us some time to get this done with the correct process.”

A petition signed by 60 concerned local residents was presented by Cllr Stephen Fenton to the previous Leaseholders – McColls – in October 2021, but this did not prompt the necessary repairs. Then in September 2022 Cllr Fenton notified the leaseholder and freeholder of a particularly nasty incident where a lady had tripped and fallen, sustaining two swollen and badly bruised knees, bleeding hands, a fractured finger and bleeding lip. She was stranded on the ground until a passing motorist stopped and offered help.

Cllr Paula Widdowson also requested that council officers write to the landowner to encourage them to take steps to make the area safer.

Cllr Fenton commented “Residents and local businesses are fed up with the continued failure of the landowners to make the necessary repairs so that this area is safe for pedestrians. The latest response from Morrisons does offer some cause for optimism, but these warm words needs to be backed up by prompt action.”

Latest planning applications for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

Below are the latest planning applications from the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

32 Acomb Wood Drive York YO24 2XN

Up to 1m crown reduction of 1no. Laurel and 1no. Japanese Maple (rear gdn) – trees protected by Tree Preservation Order 10

Ref. No: 24/01654/TPO 

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9 St Edwards Close York YO24 1QB

Fell self-seeded Sycamore group (TG1) – trees in a conservation area

Ref. No: 24/01614/TCA 

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Representations can be made in support of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received

Construction compound established on the Knavesmire

A compound has been established at the junction of Knavesmire Road and Tadcaster Road to accommodate machinery and materials being used for the Station Frontage development.

At the Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward Committee meeting held on 12th September residents queried why the site had been excavated again only a matter of months after it had been reinstated following its use by the contractor Jacksons for the Tadcaster Road scheme. The view at the meeting was that it had been a waste of resource to reinstate the area given the likelihood of it being dug up again so soon.

A64 lane closure impacts on local traffic volumes

The temporary closure of one lane on the A64 eastbound between the A1036 and A19 junctions is having a significant impact on residential roads in west York, as motorists come off the A64 and join the A1237.

Roads particularly affected are Moor Lane and Tadcaster Road.

The lane closure was prompted by a vehicle hitting the barrier and concrete parapet at the side of the A64. National Highways have stated that they are waiting for bespoke parts to be delivered, which means that the repair work is unlikely to be completed until early October.