Renault Fluence

We ran a story in February which urged the York Council to be more positive about the introduction of low emission taxis and hire cars into the city.

We were pleased to see that the Council is being recommended next week to approve additions to the list of approved vehicles which can be used as taxis. They will, for the first time, include hybrid powered vehicles.

Preference for new licences will be given to those who are prepared to register a low emission vehicle.

While this is progress, it does not address the more fundamental issue of infrastructure. Without recharging points at taxi ranks it is unlikely that the plug in hybrids will find favour with drivers, while the limited range of pure battery powered vehicles would make their use impractical.

We hope that the Council will address that issue quickly. They should also ensure that low emission cabs are easilly identifiable by potential customers – so that they can choose them in preference to ordinary vehicles if they wish.

The regulations are also being changed to include the following paragraph;
“The council will be sympathetic towards the introduction of taxi buses for use in rural areas and work with possible future providers to investigate how such services may be introduced”.

There is no reason for the Council to restrict potential taxi bus use to rural areas. Off peak services in parts of the urban area also represent an opportunity for this type of service.

Unfortunately, when tenders were invited to provide such a link to part of the Heworth area last year, the Council received no response what so ever from taxi operators.

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between Wednesday 18 April and Tuesday 24 April 2012.

•A64 between Barton-le-Willows and Jinnah
•A64 between Barton Hill and Whitwell Hill
•A64 east-bound carriageway Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•A64 west-bound Carriageway, Bowbridge Farm, Tadcaster
•Ryecroft Avenue, Acomb, York
•Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe, York
•A1036 Tadcaster Road, York
•A1237 Monks Cross, York
•Strensall Road, Huntington, York
•Millfield Lane, Poppleton, York
•Beckfield Lane, York
•Green lane, Acomb, York
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We have advocated for some time the use of technology to make paying for car parking in the city as easy as possible.

One result was the introduction of payments by mobile phone and subsequently by text.

We hoped to see the introduction of “Touch in, Touch out” systems using the new enabled bank charge cards but is seems that there may be an intermediate step before this becomes possible.

Enter mobile wireless technology which was launched last week in Tunbridge Wells.

Users swipe their Smartphone and enter a 3 digit code. Like payment by phone, there is no ticket issued. The registration numbers of vehicles, whose owners have paid using the system, are displayed on a hand held device by each parking warden.

The system does away with the barrier operated exit arrangements which are so costly to install and maintain at “pay on exit” car parks. Users are automatically offered the opportunity to extend their stay to avoid incurring a parking fine.

The new system can be used with any “near field communication” enabled smart phone. Users have to first download an “app” into their phone.

It is expected that the option will expand to include York before the end of the year.

More here: http://tinyurl.com/pay-by-phone

Details of next Monday’s meeting, which will review the decision to scrap the cycle lane in Water End, have been published. They can be found on the Council web page by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/call-in-water-end

The agenda for the special Council meeting, which will consider saving the Beckfield Lane recycling centre, has also been published. It can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Beckfield-Special

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 24th April in the Guildhall commencing at 6:30pm

Following a number of two-in-one burglaries around the county, North Yorkshire Police are warning residents to be vigilant.

A two-in-one burglary occurs when criminals break into your home with the intention of taking the keys to your car so they can steal it.

Taking some simple crime prevention measures can deter thieves from targeting your homes and vehicles.

High-performance vehicles tend to be targeted, but if criminals spot an opportunity any vehicle is under threat of being stolen.

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As part of the York 800 celebrations, the University of York are offering a range of one-off learning events exploring the history and heritage of the city. July the 9th 2012 sees the 800th anniversary of York becoming a self-governing city. Back in 1212, King John signed the charter which allowed the people of York to collect and pay the annual tax to the Crown, hold their own courts and to appoint a mayor – but how much do you know about the city and its unique history and heritage? All of these sessions, offered in collaboration by the Centre for Lifelong Learning, and York Mansion House, are aimed at adult learners and will be held at key heritage sites around the city.

More details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/York800-Uni

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There are lots of summer fair’s planned for York’s parks and open spaces this year! With lots of great activities to try and things to see and free entry too!

Hob Moor
Saturday 26th May 1:00pm – 3:30pm

West Bank Park
Sunday 24th June 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Rowntree Park
Saturday 14th July 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Hull Road Park
Saturday 11th August 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Acomb Green
Saturday 25th August 1:00pm – 3:30pm

For more information contact:
Tel: (01904) 553392 email: parks@york.gov.uk
http://www.york.gov.uk/environment/Parks_and_open_spaces

The school on Trafalgar Street is set to expand with the erection of a school hall, first floor and two storey extension to south wing to create extra classrooms, and single storey reception, cloakroom and toilet extensions.

The school intends to increase the number of pupils from 260-420 over the next 3 years. To accommodate the extra capacity it is proposed to reconfigure the internal layout and planning permission is sought for the following extensions:-
• Single storey flat roof extension to provide w/c and cloakrooms at the end of the west wing (by Lorne Street entrance).
• New main hall to the east side of the south wing (between the school and the cottage which faces Campleshon Road).
• An extension at the end of the south wing, to provide 2 further classrooms at ground floor level and 2 within the roof void.
• Single storey extension to main entrance and new heads office.
• The temporary classrooms currently on site would be relocated to the main school playground and removed when the works are completed.

The facilities within the school (learning resources, new hall and sports facilities) will be available for community use.

An additional 7 full time members of staff are expected to be employed as a result of the School’s expansion making 32 in total.

Thursday’s Planning committee is being recommended to remove a Planning Condition, on a Millfield Lane club house in Nether Poppleton, which restricts it to a football related use only.

The removal of the condition would allow other activities such as fitness classes, seminars and meetings (max 40 persons), art classes, craft classes, weight watchers, chess and dominoes, children’s fitness classes, bingo, beetle drives, afternoon tea dances, baby ballet and signing groups and other baby activities, and children’s parties.

Officers report that many of these activities are already taking place.

It seems that the recycling centre will remain open until at least 24th April (when the special Council meeting to decide its future will take place)

The summer opening hours now apply
Weekends; 10:00am – 2:00pm
Weekday evenings: 5:00pm – 7:00pm