Wains Road parking bays take shape

New parking bays are taking shape on Wains Road, which have been jointly funded by the Ward Committee and the Estate Improvement Grant.

Wains Road layby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The parking bays are being built outside the flats at the top end of Wains Road. The nature of the bend in the road has created parking difficulties at this spot, which the new bays will help to alleviate.

Unfortunately, some nearby grass verges have been badly damaged at the same time as the works have been done (pictured below). We will be asking that the contractors make good the damage that has been done (if vehicles are found to have been responsible).

Wains Road verge damage

Stephen secures enquiry into grass verge management

Local Lib Dem councillor Stephen Fenton has secured a scrutiny review into the state of grass verges across the city.

Stephen called for the review in response to local concerns about damage being done by vehicles parking or driving on the verges, particularly in suburban streets.

His call for a review was approved at the council’s Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 16th March. Details of the proposed scope of the review can be found here.

The cross-party review will look at the council’s current policies and legal procedures. It will also explore how the council can work in partnership with residents to protect and improve the condition of verges. A council survey in 2000 found that just over 11 miles of verges across the city were considered to be in a ‘poor’ condition.

'Grass' verges around Dringhouses are taking a hammering

‘Grass’ verges around Dringhouses are taking a hammering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen commented: “Since being elected last May, residents have raised concerns with me about the state of grass verges. Parking and driving over verges makes some areas of our city look like badly ploughed fields and these verges can cause problems for other motorists and pedestrians. However, there often seems to be a lack of clarity whether parking is allowed and what enforcement work currently takes place.

“With continued national funding cuts the council does not have money to throw at the issue so we need to look at what currently happens and how we can work in partnership with residents. I also want to look at what other councils have done to tackle the issue whether this be trees, posts, grass filled plastic cells or other solutions.”

Stephen is asking residents to e-mail him with examples of verges being destroyed by inconsiderate motorists, at cllr.sfenton@york.gov.uk

Dringhouses library celebration

Dringhouses Library will be celebrating its history as a Victorian school, reading room, and library with a celebration on Friday 18th March at 12.30pm.

Dringhouses library

 

 

 

 

In conjunction with York Civic Trust, the library has has commissioned a YCT blue plaque which will be unveiled on Friday. Guests at the event will celebrate the history of this fantastic building, and raise a glass to many years to come.

Dringhouses & Woodthorpe planning applications – 7th March

Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the council’s planning portal website – https://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

 

Ref No:      16/00277/FUL

Location:   16 Silverdale Court York YO24 2SL

Proposal:   Dormer to front

Applicant:  Mr Michael Cox

Consultation Expiry Date     28 March 2016

Case Officer:      Elizabeth Potter  Expected Decision Level     DEL

 

Ref No:      16/00306/FUL

Location:   Aldersyde House Aldersyde York

Proposal:   Conversion of storage garage into 2no. dwellings with associated alterations

Applicant:  Mr Richard Gorwood

Contact      Mr Jake Stentiford

Consultation Expiry Date     30 March 2016

Case Officer:      Sophie Prendergast    Expected Decision Level     DEL

 

Ref No:      16/00402/FUL

Location:   98B Tadcaster Road Dringhouses York YO24 1LT

Proposal:   Single storey rear extension and dormers to front and rear

Applicant:  Mr And Mrs Charles Anelay

Contact      Mr Tim Hatton

Consultation Expiry Date     28 March 2016

Case Officer:      Carolyn Howarth          Expected Decision Level     DEL

 

Ref No:      16/00438/CPD

Location:   33 Gower Road York YO24 2JA

Proposal:   Single storey rear extension

Applicant:  Mr Mike Thorpe

Consultation Expiry Date     28 March 2016

Case Officer:      Carolyn Howarth          Expected Decision Level     DEL

 

Ref No:      16/00443/FUL

Location:   Land Between 8 And 12 White House Gardens York

Proposal:   Erection of 2no. dwellings

Applicant:  Mr & Mrs David Blackwell

Contact      Mr Peter Summers

Consultation Expiry Date     28 March 2016

Case Officer:      Sophie Prendergast    Expected Decision Level     DEL

 

Ref No:      16/00457/FUL

Location:   240 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1ES

Proposal:   Two storey rear extension

Applicant:  Mrs H Gration

Contact      Mr David Chapman

Consultation Expiry Date     28 March 2016

Case Officer:      Elizabeth Potter  Expected Decision Level     DEL

 

Ref No:      16/00499/TPO

Location:   1 Weddall Close York YO24 1EG

Proposal:   Prune and thin Lime tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No.: 9

Applicant:  Miss H Dawe

Contact      Mr Tim Gordon-Oxford

Consultation Expiry Date     28 March 2016

Case Officer:      Esther Priestley  Expected Decision Level

‘Clean for the Queen’ success

The ‘Clean for the Queen’ weekend of community clean-up activities was wholeheartedly embraced by many residents, including in Foxwood and Woodthorpe.

Lib Dem councillors Sheena Jackson and Andrew Waller (Westfield ward) and Stephen Fenton (Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward) joined volunteers in a clean-up at Foxwood Park, which forms part of the boundary between the two wards.

Andrew, Sheena and Stephen, suitably tooled up!

Andrew, Sheena and Stephen, suitably tooled up!

As well as litter picking, there was a lot of environmental work done, such as cutting back some of the trees along the boundary with Bellhouse Way.

A good morning's work!

A good morning’s work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen also ventured further afield to do some litter picking at Woodthorpe shops, on the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s Woodlands estate and at the old Park & Ride site at Askham Bar.

Action on drainage in Woodthorpe

The council is taking action to address drainage issues in Woodthorpe.

Work is underway to unblock a drainage channel that runs from Acomb Wood Drive to Alness Drive and beyond.

The channel had been affected by tree roots, which have been removed. Work is also being undertaken to dig out the channel, in order to increase capacity and reduce the flood risk to nearby properties.

Alness Drive, looking down the woodland path towards Acomb Wood Drive

Alness Drive, looking down the woodland path towards Acomb Wood Drive

Patching things up

Action by local Lib Dem councillor Stephen Fenton has resulted in some much-needed road surface patching work being done on Leeside and Ashbourne Way.

Kerbside road repairs on Leeside

Kerbside road repairs on Leeside

 

 

 

 

 

A number of potholes have been patched on Ashbourne Way

A number of potholes have been patched on Ashbourne Way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over on Tadcaster Road, Stephen has asked for action to be taken on the very poor state of the cycle path at the entrance to Little Hob Moor. Excavation work undertaken on behalf of a utility company has left the area in a real mess, and poses a hazard for pedestrians and cyclists.

Damaged path at the entrance to Little Hob Moor

Damaged path at the entrance to Little Hob Moor