York Council confirms new contracts for subsidised bus routes

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The Council has confirmed that it has accepted tenders for new bus services which will operate from 1st September. The services involved are:

Route 21 Colton to York, via Middlethorpe Grove
Services on this route were retendered and the existing operator, Harrogate Coach Travel (trading as Connexions Bus), has been awarded the contract for the next three years. There will be no changes to the route or timetable. As part of the new contract, Harrogate Coach Travel will be introducing a new vehicle that meets more stringent Euro V emission standards (above our minimum standard) later in the year.

Route 24 Lindsey Avenue, Ascot Way and St Stephen’s Road to city centre via Acomb Centre (Monday to Saturday);

Route 26 Fordlands Road to South Bank via Broadway and city centre (Monday to Saturday);

Route 27 Heslington Hall to city centre via Broadway (Monday to Saturday);

Route 627 City centre to Fulford School via Heworth (school days);

Route 637 City centre to Archbishop Holgate’s School via Heworth (school days);

Route 647 Foxwood Lane to Manor School (school days).

Services on these routes were retendered and awarded to Arriva Yorkshire for the next three years starting on 2 September. There will be no changes to the routes or timetables. As part of the contract, Arriva Yorkshire will be introducing newer vehicles that meet more stringent Euro V emission standards (above our minimum standard) on all these routes later in the year.

Routes 35 and X35 Holme-on-Spalding-Moor to city centre

Services on these routes are provided under contract to City of York Council but, as cross-boundary services, with financial contributions from North Yorkshire County and East Riding of Yorkshire Councils. Services on these routes were retendered but the Council has not been able to award a new long-term contract due to a substantial increase in the price from bidders. The Council has reached agreement with Yorkshire Coastliner, which currently provides the service, to extend the current contract for a short period until we can find a more affordable solution for the three authorities. Officers are working with colleagues from neighbouring authorities to come up with an alternative route

Summer Fayre on Acomb Green this Saturday

Acomb Green Fayre 2010
There’s one last chance for a family fun day at a summer fair before the schools go back, and this time it’s at Acomb Green on Saturday, 24 August. The last of the summer fairs held across the city’s parks and open spaces is organised by the Friends of Acomb Green and City of York Council’s Ranger Service and will take place from 1pm to 4pm.

This year’s attractions will include a bouncy castle, climbing wall, live music (including ‘have a go’ sessions) refreshments, community stalls and ice creams.

The highlights of the afternoon will be a falconry display showcasing various different birds of prey and a fun dog show, which is free to enter and with prizes to be won!

Admission to the event is free of charge and many activities are free. There is no parking available on site so please leave your car at home and come along on foot, by bike or use public transport.

For more information contact Jenny Cairns, Ranger at City of York Council on 07833 436832, email jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk.

See the Rangers’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofYorkCouncilRangerService

Acomb Green is situated on Wetherby Road / York Road near Front Street.

Charity stalls at York’s Newgate Market tomorrow (Tuesday)

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A special event is being held in Newgate Market in aid of a variety of local charities.

St. Leonards Hospice, the RSPCA and the British Heart Foundation will each be selling their wares in Newgate Market and will be driving a hard bargain to help raise funds for the charities on Tuesday 20 August.

The stalls will be open from 10am and is part of Accelerating Enterprise, a partnership between York CVS, York Cares and Your Consortium, which provides services to the voluntary and community sectors and aims to share resources and maximise the income that each charity receives.

Sky Ride

On Saturday 14 September York will be hosting it’s first big bike ride event, Sky Ride York. In partnership with British Cycling, the City of York Council is hoping this free event will encourage more people in York to get on their bikes and ride for fun.

click for more details

click for more details

The Sky Ride will take in some of York’s most famous landmarks and picturesque views including Clifford’s Tower, York Minster and Rowntree Park. Residents and visitors will be able to ride the traffic free route from 10:30am until 4pm.

The first 1,000 cyclists that register for Sky Ride York will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed Team Sky jersey. This exclusive prize has been signed by the 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome and other members of Team Sky Pro Cycling. To register for Sky Ride York, visit www.goskyride.com/YorkSkyRide.

This summer York residents can also enjoy taking part in a series of free guided bike rides with Sky Ride Local. Guided by friendly British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic planned routes, they’re a great way to get out and see your local area on two wheels. With different levels, there are rides for all abilities – whether you’re building your confidence or already comfortable on a bike and looking for a challenge. To book you and your family onto one of these fun local bike rides, visit goskyride.com/York

To get more women on their bikes, British Cycling’s Breeze network is also coming to York. Breeze is the biggest programme ever to get more women into riding their bikes for fun. The aim is to help thousands more women feel confident and comfortable about going on a ride, to find out more about Breeze, visit breezebikerides.com

To find out more about cycling in York go to www.york.gov.uk/getyorkcycling

York Council publishes rental received for Knavesmire, Parliament Street and other open space

The York Council has responded to a Freedom of Information request by publishing a list of the rents that it has received for allowing use of public open spaces in the City

Click here for full list

The rents help to pay for the clean up costs and administrative work. A bond is required for some events and sometimes these are not reclaimed.

Planet Circus

Most activities are free of charge with many providing an additional leisure choice for York residents and visitors.

The amounts paid for events on public open spaces range from £200 for dog training on the Knavesmire to £2000 paid by the circus also on the Knavesmire.

The Continental market on Parliament Street brings in a healthy £5600 a go while the Food and Drink festival is the top earner at £13,022.

The Council has also listed the organisations which have used the (free) “charity” stall on Parliaments Street.

It is an eclectic list dominated by the Baha’i Faith, Bible education and York Palestine Solidarity.