£2 million cut from York transport improvement schemes

Residents will have to wait longer for improvement to transport arrangements following a private decision by the York Cabinet member with responsibility for transport. Earlier in the week he cut the programme value by over £2 million (25%) to £6.8 million.

It is particularly bad news for bus users who will bear the brunt of the cut.

Less is being spent on speed management schemes although the 20 mph city wide speed limit still figures in the programme. The introduction of the 20 mph limit in Woodthorpe/Acomb has been put back into the next financial year (although it is clear that Labour intend to ignore the local opposition to their scheme).

Most of the cut comes from the plan to provide 2 new park and ride sites in the City. Work on these is not now expected to start before the middle of next year.

The full list of changes it as follows
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Tanner Row contra flow cycle lane approved

Tanner Row area cycle routes click to enlarge

Tanner Row proposed signage click to enlarge

In another “behind closed doors” decision, the Council has agreed to introduce a contra flow cycle lane on Tanner Row.

The intention is to provide easier access for cyclists leaving the new Council HQ in Toft Green.

Tanner Row is relatively narrow and there are likely to be some safety concerns. These have already been highlighted by the police.

There has been no public consultation on the plan.

More details here: http://tinyurl.com/Tanner-Row

Joint agency safety message in York post floods

At the same time as the Met Office issues a warning that temperatures are set to fall towards the end of this week, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency join forces to issue a safety message to all residents and road users to exercise caution following the recent spell of flooding.

The Met Office has issued a yellow “be aware” warning, which means as temperatures fall there will be widespread frost and ice on some roads and footpaths.

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Tethered horses decision

The Council has decided its policy on the management of tethered horses.

Yesterday it agreed to develop a joint protocol with the Police, RSPCA and landowners and travellers setting out responsibilities of all parties and detailing a course of action to be taken in the following circumstances:

• Where a horse is tethered on a highway verge;

• Where a horse is grazing illegally on CYC land;

• Where a horse is grazing illegally on private land;

• Where a horse is found loose on a public highway.

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York landlords accreditation scheme

The Council plans to introduce a voluntary landlord accreditation scheme shortly.

The suggestion – which has been implemented in other parts of the country – was made several years ago. It is intended to protect landlords, tenants and residents living near privately rented properties.

It arose after complaints about the maintenance arrangements for some properties in the City which were only occupied by students during term time and which could be neglected at other times of the year.

Although voluntary, it is expected that the scheme will prove to be popular with both landlords and potential tenants as it will for the first time document good practice principals.

http://tinyurl.com/York-Landlords

York Council Tax support – losers decided

The York Council “Cabinet” have agreed a new system of Council Tax benefit which could see some residents paying £5 a week more. There is a wide variance in the extra amounts that people will have to find although pensioners will see no change to their entitlement http://tinyurl.com/York-Tax-losers

Controversially the York Council has once again decided not to accept government subsidies which would have reduced the individual impact that the changes are having. Over £200,000 was made available in transitional grant. The effect of accepting the subsidy would have been to ensure that no one (currently assessed to pay zero) would pay more than 8.5% of their Council Tax liability

It is a similar approach to their refusal of the extra grant that the government have been offering and which would have reduced Council Tax levels by 5% for everyone in the City.

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North Yorkshire Police mobile safety (speed) camera routes 5 – 11 December 2012

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following routes between Wednesday 5 and Tuesday 11 December 2012.

•A64, east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•The Village, Stockton On Forest, York
•A1036, Malton Road, York
•A1237, Monks Cross, York
•A64, east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•York Road, Haxby, York (Cycle Shop)
•York Road, Haxby, York
•A1237, Monks Cross, York

•A64, east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•A64, west-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•Broadway, Fulford, York
•Murton Way, Murton, York
•Fordlands Road, Fulford York

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Police warning as insecure properties make up 30% of all burglaries

Officers are warning residents to secure their homes as they begin anti-burglary patrols in the run-up to Christmas.

Officers will be on the look-out for vulnerable properties, including those with unlocked doors, and will leave a calling card if they spot any homes at risk.

Around a third of all burglaries committed in North Yorkshire are carried out at insecure properties where people have left a door or window unlocked.

Officers want to drive home the message that something so simple as locking your door, closing and securing a window – even when you are at home – could help prevent a burglary.

Recent burglaries

York

Overnight on Monday 3 to Tuesday 4 December 2012, three insecure properties were entered in York, with laptops stolen from two student flats in Heworth and jewellery taken from a house in Holgate.

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