Bishopthorpe News and Views

The 'railway path' is a popular local amenity, and a photograph recently came to light of the swing bridge when it was still active on the old east coast main line. So with the permission of the York Railway Institute Sailing Club we publish this early picture.

 And to contrast with it, here is one taken recently, featuring BishdotNet's transport correspondent, Ian Hodson.

This week two new speed limit signs were switched on in Bishopthorpe. The first is in Acaster Lane where there has been a campaign to reduce the speed of vehicles entering the village. Often these vehicles are  travelling too fast even before they enter the 30 limit. The second is in Sim Balk Lane, to warn drivers many of whom are heading for York off the A64.

Sim Balk Lane sign in action

Recent research  reveals

In 2006, nearly half (49 per cent) of all car drivers on 30 mph built-up roads exceeded the speed limit compared with 65 per cent in 2001 and 72 per cent ten years earlier in 1996. On 40 mph built-up roads, 28 per cent of car drivers exceeded the speed limit, this is an increase of 4 per cent on the 2005 level.

So although the situation is improving on 30 mph roads, speeding has to be the biggest type of anti-social as well as illegal behaviour. Its impact on young people for example is enormous - when parents prevent children playing outside for fear of an accident, or drive them to the school gates, they create a generation of young people with limted access to public space, and reduced social skills (being street-wise), and whose own 'anti-social behaviour' can only reflect that of their adult role models. Meanwhile everyone has to pay the costs of the 'traffic calming' measures that have replaced the role of our ever increasingly expensive police.

Bishopthorpe Parish Council which organised the speed warnings wanted them to be mobile - but the appear to be fixed. They will need statistics to show that they have worked, and might want to question why the 30 limit sign in Sim Balk Lane - although clearly as our photo shows is a busy bit of kit - is situated just in advance of the 20 limit zone.