Police appeal for James Street accident witnesses

Police are appealing for witnesses after a moped rider was injured in a road traffic collision in York.

Collision

The rider, an 18-year-old local man, suffered broken ribs and leg injuries, when his yellow Aprilla moped collided with two vans on James Street at around 12.45pm on Wednesday 28 May 2014.

The drivers of the vans initially stopped at the scene of the collision but left without providing any details.

A number of other people stopped to help the injured man and officers are appealing for them to come forward and help the investigation.

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for PC Lauren McGillivray or York police.

Alternatively, information can be emailed to lauren.mcgillivray@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Please quote reference number 12140087525 when passing information about this incident.

Askham Bar Park and Ride site attracting more users

Askham Bar cycle parking in use

Askham Bar cycle parking in use

The new Askham Bar park and ride site on Tadcaster Road has proved to be popular with drivers.

Many have transferred from the, now closed, site adjacent to Tesco – making the most of the additional spaces now available.

At 11:00am today a small queue of bus passengers had formed.

However work on the site has still not been completed.

Official estimates say that it could be another 2 weeks before all the work is done.

Well used car park at Askham Bar

Well used car park at Askham Bar

Still the Council were right to bring the site into service as soon as practical. It has reduced the number of vehicles on Tadcaster Road and buses are taking advantage of the reduced congestion to run into the City centre more quickly.

The situation at the other new site at Poppleton Bar couldn’t be a bigger contrast.

Fewer than 100 vehicles were using the car park there this morning.

A substantial amount of work needs to be done both on the car park and on the nearby highway network.

Askham Bar bus waiting area

Askham Bar bus waiting area


Sources at the Council say that the project – which is 3 months behind its original schedule – will be finished in 3 weeks time. The contractors have apparently been given until the weekend of the Tour de France (5th July) to complete the works.

Unfortunately, by then, damage to the park and ride site’s reputation may be beyond repair.

Buses continue to be mired in a web of temporary traffic lights and lane restrictions.

Electric bus at Poppleton Bar

Electric bus at Poppleton Bar


Today, rather than a queue of passengers waiting for buses, there was a queue of buses waiting for passengers.

Ironically one of the major improvements yet to be commissioned is the cycle underpass on the A1237. This was to be used to encourage cyclists to pedal to the park and ride site before boarding a bus to complete their journey.

It will not be used by the Tour de France competitors!

Free York City Centre WiFi being used to track mobile phone movements

Behind closed doors logo

The Council has admitted that it will use data from its “free WiFi” service to track people movements around the City centre.

The admission comes in response to a Freedom of Information request which can be read by clicking here

The Council says it will not reveal the activities associated with individual phones

The issue has not been discussed publicly by any committee of the Council.

Huntington concert tickets being discounted

Council concert organiser displays sense of humour

Council concert organiser displays sense of humour

As we revealed yesterday, the Tour de France concert, scheduled for the 4th July, is being snubbed by York residents.

Now the Council has halved the cost of a family ticket – down from £100 to £50.

The offer also includes a ticket to the Grand Depart event at the Racecourse and will run until Monday 16th June.

What residents who have already paid the full price for tickets will think of this discount remains to be seen.

The concert features a group called “Loveable Rogues”

Tickets are on sale now from http://www.ticketline.co.uk/ and http://www.exeriencetherace.com/, and will be available from Visit York on Museum Street in York city centre by Friday (13th June) of this week

The Council has declined to say how many tickets for the event have been sold to date.

Meanwhile it looks like Bradley Wiggins – expected to be one of the main attractions for those attending the Tour de France start – may not now be competing this year

Fitness swimming initiative in York

healthy swimming

City of York Council’s HEAL (Health, Exercise, Activity and Lifestyle) programme is introducing a new 6 week course of swimming sessions at Yearsley Pool starting on Thursday 12 June from 2.30pm to 3.15pm.

Welcome Back to the Pool is aimed specifically at people who can swim, or could in the past, but through illness, injury or life changing event may now lack the confidence to get back in the pool.

Swimming has some great health benefits for those returning to exercise. This is another example of a practical session to help encourage regular physical activity amongst residents needing support.
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Acomb Explore Library now open 7 days a week

York carers week starts

York is celebrating the work of carers next week as part of national Carers Week (9-15 June).

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Carers Week is a UK-wide annual awareness campaign, which aims to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for and in York it’s a chance for unpaid carers to take a break and join in one of the many activities on offer.

On Monday 9 June at CVS (Priory Street) from 10am to 3pm carers can have a free health check, visit information stalls and hear short talks. There will also be some live music, a free lunch and complimentary therapies.Please call York Carers Centre on 01904 715490 to book a place.

On Wednesday 11 June York Carers Centre have a stall in the reception area of York Hospital and a bus in Parliament Street where carers can call in. York Carers Forum are also holding a Carers Service at 1.20pm in York Minster, all welcome. At 5.30pm at City of York Council West Offices there is an information sharing meeting for carers who look after an adult on the autistic spectrum.

On Friday 13 June young carers are launching their new play at York St John University.

Carers will also be able to brush up their web skills thanks to a free six-part course offered by Explore York Libraries and Archives and the Tinder Foundation, in partnership with York Carers Forum.

Running from May to September, Explore Digital Care is a free six-part course for local carers. Each carer who enrols on the course will be invited to attend six free lessons in using different aspects of the internet, including staying safe online, using email, searching the internet and using various carers resources and forums online, amongst other things.
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Woodthorpe Wanderers football gala attracts crowds

Football Gala 8th June 2014

Football Gala 8th June 2014

The former Lowfields school playing fields were the location for a football gala today organised by the Woodthorpe Wanderers FC.

Teams had travelled from all over the region including one from Middlesbrough.

The same playing fields are under threat after the York Council’s Housing department made a bid to include them in the redevelopment plans for the site.

Previously the intention had been to develop only the “footprint” of the former school buildings.

The attempt to develop the whole of the site is being resisted by officials working on the Councils new “Local Plan”.

The older persons village –which was scheduled to be completed on the site last year – has not even got planning permission yet so it will be 2016 before any buildings are occupied.

That will be at least 3 years behind the original schedule.

 

 

 

Hob Moor cycle and pedestrian tunnel set to close from tomorrow (Monday)

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The pedestrian and cycle tunnel under the East Coast main railway line will be closed from tomorrow for 3 weeks.

The closure – which has not been widely advertised – is in connection with major electricity supply cable work taking place in the area

The tunnel forms part of the orbital cycle route which is used by hundreds of cyclists each day.

NB. Powergrid have also given notice of a supply cut in the Foxwood Lane area on Monday 16th June from 10:00am to 2:00pm