Toy bus decision to be challenged

toybus

A decision to scrap a mobile toy-lending service used by over 500 families has been challenged by York’s Liberal Democrat Group.

Last week the Labour Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People decided to end the council-run Toy Bus. The decision was taken despite officers admitting that they had “no detail” on what will replace the service and fresh statistics which show that 512 families were using the Bus. The decision to scrap the provision, which will save the council just £14,000 a year, was originally due to come into effect in 2014/15, but last week’s judgment means it is now due to formally end immediately.

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20 mph speed limit “pull back from brink”

Residents are being urged to lobby Councillors in an attempt to head off plans to introduce a wide area 20 mph speed limit across west York.

The Labour Councillor responsible for the plan is being urged to delay implementation for at least 18 months so that the impact of the 20 mph limit – introduced earlier in the year in South Bank – can be assessed.

If, as has happened elsewhere, the new limit results in an increase in the number of road accidents, then the scheme should be abandoned say campaigners.

Papers released to inform a decision meeting (taking place on Friday 19th July 4:30pm at West Offices & open to the public) reveal that accident numbers, in City’s which have introduced wide area 20 mph, limits have increased.

Additionally residents in Bristol say that the new limits have not addressed their concerns about vehicle speeds.

Written representations have to be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday

Written representations have to be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday

York residents have been reminded that written representations can be emailed to the following address with a request that they be circulated at – or before – the decision meeting laura.bootland@york.gov.uk copied to cllr.dmerrett@york.gov.uk . The representations should be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday 17th July

Residents can register to attend and speak at the meeting. You must register before 5:00pm on Thursday 18th July. Telephone Laura Bootland on (01904) 552062 to register

As Cllr Merrett has publicly said that he intends to press ahead with the new limits and overrule resident’s views, it is likely that opposition Councillors will “call in” any such decision for further consideration.

Liberal Democrats spokesperson Cllr Ann Reid will also be attending Friday’s meeting to put the case for, at least, deferring the introduction of the new limits

Latest mobile speed camera locations – plea to check speeds on other roads like Moor Lane

The latest list of roads likely to be checked by the mobile speed camera van over the next week has been published here.
www.northyorkshire.police.uk/11632

The Police seem to be returning to the same roads each week.

There are others where speeding is an issue and which could usefully be monitored (Wetherby Road, Acomb Wood Drive, Moor Lane etc). The York Council could usefully review the data that it holds for roads with a poor accident record – or evidence of persistent high speeds – and work with the Police to refocus resources.

Meanwhile the latest enforcement results reveal that last week the largest number of offenders were caught on Murton Way (19) followed by York Road Haxby (18), and Tadcaster Road (10).

26 offenders were caught on the A1237 during four separate visits by the camera van.

Minster Piazza safety issues to be raised at Council meeting

Minster Piazza

Minster Piazza

Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Ann Reid is to raise safety concerns about cyclists using the new Minster Piazza (Deangate) area.

With the paving project now completed, there has been a notable increase in the numbers of visitors standing on the former carriageway to take photos.

Some cyclists have continued to use the route at relatively high speeds prompting concerns that a potentially serious collision could occur.

Now Ann Reid will ask Cllr Dave Merrett to make the area a pedestrian priority zone.

“Deangate has been a shared use highway for several years but the removal of the carriageway – while improving the environment considerably – has served to highlight a potential conflict between cyclists and pedestrians.

I want to see notices displayed making it clear that cyclists should reduce speed when riding through the area and should be prepared to give way to pedestrians.

The alternative would be to fully pedestrianise that part of Deangate.

That would mean that cyclists would have to wheel their bikes for a few yards”.

Ann has tabled the following question for the Council meeting which is taking place on Thursday.

“In congratulating the Minster Authorities on the success of their York Minster Revealed project, does the Cabinet member share my concern about the conflict between some fast moving cyclists and pedestrians in the new “Minster Piazza” on Deangate?

Would he agree to sign the area as a pedestrian priority zone?”

ironically a cycle race will be routed through Deangate this weekend!

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New pedestrian crossing plan for Jo Ro school

Jo Ro crossing plan click to enlarge

Jo Ro crossing plan click to enlarge

Walking and cycling in the vicinity of Joseph Rowntree Secondary School have been reviewed by Council officials.

Pupils who live south of the school were found to have fewer direct facilities.

To address this, a highway improvement scheme has been developed to provide a raised zebra where most pedestrians cross, and off-road cycle links to give less confident cyclists an alternative on this busy narrow road.

There have been no objections to the principle of the scheme during consultation.

Acomb, Dringhouses and Westfield shunned in new Council Transport programme

Following the lamentable failure by the York Councils leadership to invest the money available last year to upgrade transport facilities in the City, a new programme has now been published.

Behind closed doors logo

Those hoping for a better deal for west York will be disappointed.

Most of the money – other than the behind schedule new park and ride sites – goes to the City Centre and the east of York.

The is no money to address the accident risks on streets that will not see their speed limits changed by the wide area 20 mph zones.

That’s bad news for users of Wetherby Road, Holgate Road, Moor Lane, Tadcaster Road, Acomb Wood Drive and Boroughbridge Road. Most have high vehicle speeds and poor accident records

Nor is there any funding for the regeneration of the Front Street area.

Those hoping that some of the (government funded) bus improvements would find their way to local sub-urban locations will be disappointed. All the money goes to few City centre bus stops – now labelled as “interchanges”.

Hopes for real time information at well used sub-urban bus stops have been dashed again.

As is the norm now, Labour Councillors decided to take the decisions on allocating the £24 million budget behind closed doors.

The new transport programme can be seen by clicking here.

Latest Planning application received for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council last week. Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Location: 15 The Horseshoe York YO24 1LY Ref No: 13/02294/FUL Proposal: Dormer window to rear, covered way to side, alterations to rear extension roof and erection of boundary wall and railings including gates Applicant: Mr J E Weatherill Contact R C Donkin And Partner Consultation Expiry Date 5 August 2013Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.