September 2008 Archives

During the next couple of months contractors Laing O' Rourke will be digging up roads around Bishopthorpe to carry out major works on the water supply. Both the contractors and Yorkshire Water are anxious to ensure that these excavations are as trouble free as possible.
The works are as follows:-

New main water pipes to be installed in Bridge Road, Myrtle Avenue, and Coda Avenue, this will also mean new  connections to each house as far as Yorkshire Water's stop tap (usually in the pavement or just inside the boundary of the property). If either of the roads are suitable then the new main will be installed by drilling under the road and installing the water main, however if this is not possible due  to other underground services then a trench will have to be excavated in which to lay the new pipe.
 
The main water pipes in Sim Balk Lane, Church Lane, Bishopthorpe Road, Chantry Lane, Main Street, Croft Court, School Lane, Appleton Road, Copmanthorpe Lane, The Coppice, Ferry Lane, Acaster Lane, Montague Road and all cul de sacs, Ramsey Avenue and all cul de sacs, Lamplugh Cresc. Garbett Way, Keble Park North, Keble Drive, Keble Park Cresc. Keble Park South and all cul de sacs, will be cleaned and re-lined. This work entails excavations being dug at intervals along the highway and equipment inserted into the water main which cleans and then re-lines the water pipe.

I understand that a  contractor's representative has delivered or will be delivering contact details etc.  to all affected properties.

I have also agreed to act as a contact should anyone feel that they would prefer  I should act on their behalf. My Tel. No. is 704829, mobile 07973898402.

The next meeting of Bishopthorpe Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 23rd September at 7pm in the Village Hall. Parishioners are welcome to come along at 7pm to ask any questions or raise any issues, and anyone is welcome to stay to listen to the meeting.

The River Ouse helps define Bishopthorpe. Settled in early history on the banks of a river by a stream, the village grew as the rich and powerful and the church made it theirs. Today it provides a welcome space to relax, fish, watch the rivercraft, walk and jog.

The accessible area is not the prettiest, as the overgrown far bank and the water treatment plant add little to the scene, and the moorings preclude any view of the water. The old church has been improved, and new railings keep out troublemakers: there is a grand plan to improve that part of the bank. Access to the old church building seems to be locked up though, despite assurances to the contrary. This should be open during reasonable hours for residents and visitors alike. A conservation plan for the churchyard could make a haven of native plants.

Further along, the boatyard/campsite complex is yet again subject to a planning application. The site is part of the Conservation Area which means strict guidelines should be in force to maintain and enhance the area. Certainly as of now it is not as pretty or usable as it might be. Some years ago it was identified in a village community workshop as one area for improvement.

The planning application (08/00928/FULM) is in place, with a decision due by 1st October. Full details of the application and comments are no longer on the York City planning web site, though the commenting facility is still open. Some local residents have lodged detailed objections, whilst the Parish Council has apparently supported the scheme - it placed a document about it on the web site here. The Council owns land in the area, including the old ferry landing stage. The plan comprises a marina and a number of holiday-let wooden cabins built on a rise created from excavated ground for the marina.

If the scheme is approved, who will be the beneficiaries, and who might be disadvantaged by permissive access across a commercial site? Who might suffer if the area is not developed  - and how might enhancements that can be funded be made?

Whatever happens, we will all be affected. Make your views known using the Comments link below!

Bishopthorpe Scouts  have a new web site. You can find it here.