When the Millennium Trust ran workshops on things to do for Bishopthorpe, environmental improvements came high on the agenda. Four areas were identified in subsequent discussions, and the first area of attention has been the Crossroads scheme.
Another area was the riverside, and this has seen the work done by the St Andrews Trust around the old church, and some small improvements to the landing stage area.
Now the large field between the Yorkshire Water site and the A64 is having a planting screen installed by the private landowner that will do much to improve the amenity value of the land, and also provide a sound screen against the increasing traffic noise on the by-pass. It is to be hoped that this can be replicated and extended alomg the whole roadside.
Bishopthorpe Parish Council has also been working with both Yorkshire Water and contractors Costain to improve the entrance to the village along Sim Balk Lane. Yorkshire Water and Costain agreed to fund and plant a tree screen along the side of their water pumping station and this was completed a few weeks ago.
The Parish Council then agreed to provide funding to plant trees along the front of the site to complete the whole project and again Yorkshire Water and Costain provided some of their workforce to help. During the week leading up to the planting Cllr Carole Green purchased and delivered a selection of trees to Cllr Ian Jemison. On Saturday 17 March Ian was joined by Cllr Stewart Harrison, Parish Clerk Cayley Godfrey and her husband Liam along with a merry band of workers from Costain to plant the trees along the front of the site. Hopefully all the trees planted will flourish and in a few years provide an attractive screen around the water pumping station.
The Parish team set to work - with some youthful help!
The Parish Council would like to thank Yorkshire Water and Costain for their help and assistance in completing this project. And Bishopthorpe residents can continue to encourage and support all those trying to make such environmental improvements.
Cotsain staff get the trees in place