Damaged and scuffed perspex panels have been replaced in the bus shelter on Ryecroft Avenue, opposite Carrfield.
The shelter had been in a poor condition for some time, with scuffed and damaged perspex panels. A bench was recently installed in the shelter.
A number of e-scooters and e-bikes are to be installed outside the Moor Lane Youth Centre on Wains Road. The location has been chosen in preference to sites initially suggested (on Grassholme and Nairn Close) which were adjacent to residential properties and were not supported by councillors or local residents. There will be space for up to five e-scooters / e-bikes.
We understand that the operator – Tier – is exploring the possibility of creating a parking area for e-scooters / e-bikes on privately-owned land outside the shops on Moorcroft Road.
There is currently one parking bay for e-scooters and e-bikes in Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward, on Tadcaster Road outside the Holiday Inn.
York is part of a Government e-scooter trial which began last October and will last 12 months. E-scooters which are part of the trial are the only types of e-scooters that can be legally used on public roads. There is more information available on the e-scooter trial at https://tieryork.co.uk/
York City Knights Foundation are running free activity sessions for local young people during half-term week.
The sessions will take place on Wednesday 2nd June:
The sessions are open to boys and girls aged 5 years and over. Booking is essential with limited availability. For more information and to book go to https://yorkcityknights.com/future-knights/
City of York Council will be carrying out road maintenance works on the stretch of Askham Lane just before the A1237 roundabout, starting on Wednesday 2nd June for 2 nights (weather permitting). The works will be carried out between 7.30pm – 5.00am.
In order to carry out the work safely, the use of a full road closure will be necessary whilst works are taking place. A diversion will be in place for traffic.
Emergency services will be permitted through the works in any situation.
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Lib Dem ward councillors are seeking residents’ views on a proposal to install lighting in the Hob Moor railway underpass.
In recent months a number of local residents have suggested that installing lighting in the underpass would make it a safer and more pleasant route for pedestrians and cyclists. Similar comments have been made about the bridge over the railway line at Love Lane, and this too is being considered for lighting.
Cllr Paula Widdowson met on site with council officers who have subsequently liaised with Network Rail and worked up a proposal which would see LED light fittings mounted to one side of the underpass at ceiling height across the length of the structure. The light fittings would have vandal-resistant lenses and would be enabled for dimming control both remotely and manually for 24 hour illumination, so the timings and intensity of the lighting could be amended after installation.
The anticipated cost would be around £28,000 with a small proportion of this being funded by the ward budget (‘promoting community safety’ is one of the ward priorities).
Before this scheme is progressed any further, local councillors are asking residents for their views on this proposal, and in particular whether there are any concerns which would need to be taken into account before a final decision is made.
Feedback can be sent by e-mail to cllr.pwiddowson@york.gov.uk or by phone to 01904 787988.
Seating has been installed at two bus shelters in Woodthorpe served by the number 12 service. The shelters are on Moorcroft Road (near the shops) and on Ryecroft Avenue (opposite Carrfield).
City of York Council is consulting on proposals to install double yellow lines and waiting restrictions at a number of locations around Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward.
Residents wishing to comment on the proposals should e-mail highway.regulation@york.gov.uk no later than Friday 14th May.
Local councillors have been informed that in the coming months there will be consultation on proposed parking restrictions suggested by residents at other locations.
Chantry Close, on both sides, between the projected northern kerbline of Ryecroft Avenue and a point 10 metres north of the said line. Ryecroft Avenue, on its north side, between points 17 metres south west and 17 metres north east from the projected centreline of Chantry Close.
Introducing ‘No Waiting from 8.45am-9.15am and 2.45pm-3.30pm Monday to Friday’ restrictions in Ryecroft Avenue on its south side, between points 17 metres Lane (terminal point of existing ‘No Waiting at any time’ restrictions) and 54 metres north east from the projected centreline of Summerfield Road.
Jervis Road, on both sides, from the projected south eastern kerbline of North Lane south west for 10 metres, and both sides, from the projected north eastern kerbline of Thanet Road north east for 13 metres. Thanet Road, on its north side, between the projected eastern property boundary line of No. 12 Ebor Court and a point 30 metres north west of the said line.
Lovel House access road, on both sides, from the projected north western kerbline of Wains Road north west for 8 metres. Wains Road, on its north west side, between points 15 metres south west and 22 metres north east from the projected centreline of Lovel House access road.
North Lane, on its north side, between points 15 metres west and 20 metres east from the projected centreline of Orchard Way, south side, between points 10 metres north west and 10 metres south east from the projected centreline of Jervis Road. Orchard Way, on both sides, between the projected northern kerbline of North Lane and a point 12 metres north of the said line.
West Thorpe on its north side, between points 10 metres (terminal point of existing ‘No Waiting at any time restrictions’) and 32 metres east from the projected eastern kerbline of Chaloners Road and south side, between points 10 metres (terminal point of existing ‘No Waiting at any time restrictions’) and 16 metres east from the projected eastern kerbline of Chaloners Road.
A selection of e-scooters and e-bikes have been installed by the operator Tier on Tadcaster Road, outside the Holiday Inn.
York is currently participating in a 12-month Department for Transport trial which began in September 2020. Initially the e-scooters were rolled out in the city centre and at the University of York, but the aim is to make the e-scooters, and e-bikes, more widely available.
There is more information on the trial at https://www.itravelyork.info/e-scooter-trial
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward councillors are inviting ward funding bids from not-for-profit groups, with a deadline for applications of 30 June 2021.
Councillor Stephen Fenton has welcomed a decision by Network Rail to move a proposed compound further away from homes on Moor Lane.
In February, residents and councillors were shocked to receive notification that Network Rail planned to establish a compound on Moor Lane to support upgrade work on the line between York and Church Fenton until February 2024. Network Rail said that it would be used to provide access to the railway, to store materials and machinery and to house staff welfare facilities.
The initial plans would have seen the compound located 40 metres away from homes on Moor Lane. News of the plans led directly to the sale of a home falling through at the last minute, causing the residents considerable distress. Cllr Fenton called on Network Rail to pause their plans and listen to the concerns expressed by local residents.
Network Rail have now announced that they are proposing to move the compound further downfield to help reduce both visual and noise disturbance from the site. This move will place the site approximately 120 metres away from houses.
Network Rail have written to nearby residents with this information and have promised to host a community event via Microsoft Teams in the near future so that residents can find out more and ask any questions. No date has been set for work to begin on the site, but Network Rail have said that they will give residents at least one month’s notice.
Stephen commented:
“I am pleased that Network Rail have come up with a new proposal that will move the compound further way from homes on Moor Lane. It’s just a pity that this has come after two months of worry and stress for many affected residents, which could have been avoided if Network Rail has engaged with residents and local councillors earlier.
“I welcome the commitment to hold an engagement event, which will be important as there remain many unanswered questions around how highway safety will be managed on a very busy road, and what steps will be taken to minimise the nuisance to residents caused by the operation of the compound.”
Network Rail have also provided a Q&A on the compound plans.
Q1. Why have you chosen to put the proposed temporary compound where it is?
Due to the location of work and where we need to access the track, we looked at the area between York and Dringhouses to identify a section of available land where we would cause the least disruption to surrounding neighbours and locate it away from as many houses as possible.
Once created, the proposed compound in Dringhouses will be one of several linked compounds between York to Church Fenton, which must all be on the same side of the tracks, closest to the two lines where our major work is being undertaken. These compounds have to be spaced around two kilometres apart to enable effective access to the track to carry out the work as efficiently as possible.
We will be doing all we can to make sure we cause the least disruption to neighbours which is why we propose moving the compound location further away from houses. This also includes closely monitoring noise, traffic and light, as well as strictly enforcing our staff on site to be mindful they are working in a residential area. We will continue to explore what further options are available to help reduce disruption from the site and will present these to you at the aforementioned community event.
Q2. How long will the proposed temporary compound be in place?
As yet, we have not established an exact start on-site-date. All we can say currently is that we anticipate it will open later this year and we aim to provide you with clarity around dates in due course. Once opened, the compound will stay in operation until approximately February 2024.
Q3. How far away from the houses is the proposed temporary compound?
The closest house will be approximately 123 metres away from the operating compound. The machine stabling where all machinery will be stored has been placed furthest away from the houses, nearer to the track, to reduce noise and disturbance to residents. The new location further downfield means that the access road to get to it will be longer. Tree cover will mean the compound is less visually intrusive.
Q4. How will the compound impact the traffic in the area and what studies have been undertaken?
As part of our work on the revised compound, we will consider impacts on local roads and measures to manage traffic and any anticipated disruption. More information about the outputs of this assessment will be communicated in due course.
Q5. What level of noise should residents expect to hear?
Once the proposed compound is open, due to it being operational 24-hours a day, this will generate low-moderate noise. Overnight work will start to increase when we begin the piling work, but we do not have work schedules to share just yet. The Road Rail Access Point, once created, will be used regularly during the day and night. We will inform residents in advance of any noisy work due to take place and provide details as to what we are doing to minimise it.
Q6. How will worker behaviour be managed?
Our teams will be briefed and are mindful that they will be working close to our neighbours and the disturbance this can cause. This includes, not running car/van engines, no shouting, no littering. We will be enforcing these measures as strictly as possible.
Q7. Will lighting in the temporary compound come into my house?
We propose that there will be five tower lights placed within the compound (to be used at night) and positioned to ensure they do not directly shine at any houses. Night-time task lighting will also be used for work on track and angled so it does not disturb our lineside neighbours when it is dark.
Q8. What if there is damage to the road or verges?
If there is any damage to the roads or verges that residents have concern about and have been caused by the work taking place, these will be address by the project team and investigated.
Q9. Why did residents receive short notice about the temporary compound?
The original letter about the compound was mailed approximately ten days prior to the initial planned date to open the compound on 01 March. We had to wait to send this out to allow for the conclusion of the landowner lease agreement but appreciate insufficient information and notice was provided.
Q10. What is a topsoil bund?
Topsoil is the upper, outermost layer of soil, usually the top 5–10 inches. It has the highest concentration of organic matter and therefore is a valuable material for farmers. We have to keep this topsoil on site, neatly stored as an earth bank or bund, and it will be returned to the land once the compound is closed.