Explore York have announced that Dringhouses Library will re-open on 16th March after heating upgrade work has been completed.
The library closed on 13th February in response to concerns about the low temperature in the building, caused by a combination of winter weather and ineffective heating. A new boiler is being installed along with new convector heaters and new radiators. It has been confirmed that Listed Building Consent is not needed for these internal improvement works.
Cllr Stephen Fenton has welcomed the news, commenting “I was grateful that the Chief Executive of Explore agreed to meet with me when news of the closure broke, which came as something of a surprise. It is encouraging that the council’s Facilities team has been able to work with Explore to agree the specifications and get the equipment ordered and ready for installation.”
Proposals have been revealed by Gateway Developments and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust to build 114 homes and a car park on land on Sim Balk Lane, opposite York College.
The developers are distributing a leaflet (copied below) to the local area inviting residents to comment on the proposal, and have set up a website at www.simbalklaneconsultation.co.uk
They are also holding a drop-in event at the York College atrium on Thursday 2nd March from 3.30 to 7pm.
The proposals also include the provision of car parking on the site for use by the Bishopthorpe White Rose Football Club.
The Sim Balk Lane site is not identified as land for development in the draft Local Plan for York, which is at an advanced stage, with the final round of consultations now underway. More details available HERE
Councillors have raised concerns with Virgin Media about the impact of fibre optic cable-laying on the Middlethorpe estate which started in January and is to continue into March.
On Whin Road, tarmac has been used to fill channels that have been dug in concrete driveways and verges have been left devoid of grass.
Cllr Ashley Mason surveys the scene on Whin Road
Virgin Media have responded to say that the verges will be re-seeded and that the tarmac will be replaced with concrete, though they are “waiting for a forecast of a few good days of weather” before doing this work.
Councillors had queried with council officers why the streets are being dug up again so soon after the disruption caused by the TalkTalk / CityFibre UFO works, but were told that they had no powers to stop the works. Virgin Media have said, however, that for 50% of the scheme they will be able to use existing BT Openreach infrastructure, with the remaining 50% requiring digging in roads, verges and footpaths.
In response to a request from local councillors, officers managing the Tadcaster Road highway / drainage / active travel scheme have made more information available on the location and duration of temporary traffic lights.
The implementation of temporary traffic lights at the junction of Tadcaster Road and Knavesmire Road has understandably led to delays, and whilst there is useful information on the council website, a number of residents pointed out that there was no mention of where temporary traffic controls would be used.
The project team will also be holding two further drop-in sessions for local residents at St Edward’s Church on Thursday 2nd March 5-8pm and Sunday 5th March 12:30 – 4pm.
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward councillors were informed by York Explore Libraries & Archives on 9th February that due to issues with the heating system at Dringhouses Library, it is planned to temporarily close the library from Monday 13th February until the end of the month.
Councillors have asked for an urgent meeting with Explore to discuss possible temporary solutions which would ensure that staff, volunteers and residents can safely access vital services.
Explore have said that an inspection identified that the current heating is insufficient to effectively heat the building. They have told ward councillors that a permanent solution has been identified and that action is being taken to obtain appropriate advice and permissions from Conservation Officers at the council before the work can progress, given the listed status of the building.
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Cllr Stephen Fenton commented:
“It’s very disappointing to learn of the proposed temporary closure so abruptly, as no prior notice had been given to local councillors or residents.
“The library is an important much-loved local community asset and provides crucial services to many residents. I am particularly concerned about the impact of the proposed closure on elderly residents, who, for example, use the library to access the internet, to get help and advice and to have some social interaction. Any closure would also be a blow to young people for whom the library is a place for learning and enjoyment, particularly with half-term around the corner.
“Of course, the health and safety of the library’s staff, volunteers and customers always comes first, so it’s crucial to ensure permanent solutions are brought forward as soon as possible. However, in the meantime, temporary arrangements need to be put in place until the heating issues are fixed. I will discuss this urgently with York Explore Libraries & Archives.”
A number of ward schemes are belatedly coming to fruition around the ward.
The state of the verges on Bracken Road (particularly at the entrance to Knavesmire Wood) has been a concern for residents for many years, with cars parking on or driving over the verge leading to it being churned up and the road covered in mud.
Bracken Road (underneath the mud!)
Local councillors consulted residents about potential solutions such as bollards, planting or verge reinforcement, of which the latter proved to be most popular. So during the week commencing 23rd February some reinforcement will be installed in the verges either side of the entrance to the wood. If this proves to be successful, this approach could be implemented elsewhere on Bracken Road, funding permitted.
A number of storage units have been installed at the rear of the flats on Wains Road which will enable tenants to safely store bicycles, as there are no communal areas in the blocks of flats on Wains Road that can accommodate bicycles.
And on the steps leading down from Moor Lane railway bridge a metal ramp has been installed to make it easier for cyclists to get their bikes up and down the steps.
Councillor Stephen Fenton has asked council officers to work with Transdev to implement a change to the timetable for the number 12 bus service so that it will enable young people to get to school on time.
Transdev took over the route on 23 January after First Bus decided to withdraw from running the service. The service runs on a hourly basis, with Transdev agreeing with council officers to retain the number 12 timetable operated by First. The 12A service ended, but it was the timings of this service, rather than the 12, which best suited young people going to school.
For example, the current 12 timetable sees the bus depart Woodthorpe shops at 7.25am (which gets children to school too early) and 8.25am (which gets children to school too late).
This has led to a number of young people walking through to either Foxwood Lane or Eason View to catch the number 4 service operated by First, but this already busy service is struggling to cope – feedback from residents is that it is significantly overcrowded with the risk that passengers are left behind. This happened on Friday 27th January, when First ran a single decker which led to some passengers being left at the bus stop. Then on Monday 30th the scheduled number 4 service didn’t arrive, which again left passengers stranded.
Cllr Fenton has shared these example with council officers to highlight the need for a re-think of the number 12 timetable.
“Everyone wants the number 12 to be a success and to continue beyond the end of March. That is more likely to happen if the timetable is configured in a way that suits as many users of the service as possible, including young people going to school.”
Remove limbs from 1no. Sycamore; crown reduce height of 1no. Hawthorn by 30%; lateral reduce 1no. Oak – works to trees protected by Tree Preservation Order no. 10.
