Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Lib Dem ward councillors are seeking residents’ views on a proposal to install lighting in the Hob Moor railway underpass.
Hob Moor 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.
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.
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.
Cllr Stephen Fenton has reported the tetrapak and bottle banks at Askham Bar Tesco that are overflowing. The responses received are summarised below.
Bottle banks
GRUK, the company which empties these banks, reported difficulties with their vehicles on Tuesday 6th April and are not able to collect until Monday 12th.
As an interim measure, Yorwaste have provided some wheeled bins, labelled appropriately, so that there is at least some provision for glass recycling before GRUK return.
Tetrapak bank
ACE, the company who empty the carton bank, are having difficulty with their vehicles and are not able to collect until the week commencing 12th April. Some stickers have been placed on the bank in the hope of dissuading residents from leaving cartons on site.
Cardboard banks
The second cardboard bank has returned after having to be repainted following an arson attack. The banks continue to fill up quickly, not helped by some residents who don’t bother to flatten boxes before putting them in the bank.
The works being undertaken by Northern Gas Networks on Tadcaster Road have now reached St Helens Road. As previously reported, St Helens Road is not closed but temporary three-way traffic signals are in use.
There is bad news however for users of the number 4 bus. The layout of bollards at the Tadcaster Road / St Helens Road junction is such that it is too tight for a bus to turn the corner. The Acomb-bound number 4 is therefore being diverted along Tadcaster Road, Moor Lane and then up Chaloners Road, with the same diversion followed on the route into the city centre. This means that the stops on St Helens Road and Eason View are not in operation.
In a further twist, it has now been confirmed that St Helens Road will NOT need to be temporarily closed due to ongoing Northern Gas Networks activities on Tadcaster Road.
Temporary traffic lights will be installed to enable St Helens Road to remain open.
The closure of St Helens Road for a two-week period for gas main replacement work – and the subsequent re-routing of the number 4 bus – has been delayed for a second time.
The closure was due to come into effect from 1 March, but that was then postponed until 15 March. And now it has been delayed again, with no clue as to when the closure will come into effect.
