If you are fed up of your computer running slowly then please take time to read this article closely as I am sure it will help you with your problems.

We believe the last survey of traffic travelling through Bishopthorpe was several years ago and conducted in August when the schools and subsequently people are generally on holiday.

I would like to thank the Micklegate Ward Councillors for arranging a public meeting with the developers on 2 July at the Racecourse. Our own Councillor John Galvin was also at the meeting but as he is on the Planning Committee is unable to contribute to the discussion. However it was most unfortunate that although invited there was no representative from City of York Highways/Transport Department. 

This was very disappointing for everyone as all questions raised were about traffic issues. The developers were unable to answer the questions but significantly had not even included Bishopthorpe on the map of their traffic routes to site - perhaps they felt they had to keep their heads down!

We felt we were getting nowhere with the traffic survey so the Parish Council has now decided to undertake our own.  This will be from Monday 7 July until Friday 11 July at 7:30 -9:30am and 4:30 - 6:30pm. We will be counting cars travelling to and from Bishopthorpe to York along Bishopthorpe Road.  This will be split between those travelling from Acaster Lane/ Main Street Bishopthorpe and those travelling along Church Lane (probably using Bishopthorpe as a "rat run" to/from the A64).

This will give us base line figures so we are able to build on these for the expected traffic to and from the Terrys Development thereby giving the full picture of the expected traffic density.  We are told that there will be well over 2000 new jobs created by this development and obviously this could have a major impact on the traffic flow through Bishopthorpe.

Currently, as you are fully aware, Church Lane is very busy as it has the Doctors surgery, the Church and an entrance to the Infant School on what is a narrow lane and if cars are parked 2 way traffic halts.  The junction with Bishopthorpe Road is also very sharp and vehicles are unsighted coming from Main Street.

We believe the majority of traffic should be directed to the site along Tadcaster Road, as specified by the developers, but we are unclear how they expect to achieve this objective.  The construction of a specific link road to and from the A64 connecting with Bishopthorpe Road is one solution but we are aware to allow the shops and pubs to flourish in our village some traffic must be allowed and in some instances encouraged to come into Bishopthorpe on race days.

Stewart Harrison

Chairman - Bishopthorpe Parish Council

Well we were blessed with a break in the recent rain and following a late pitch inspection the match commenced with a new 15 over format.

In keeping with the recent matches, this one also had a nail biting finish and a controversial ending. The match had everything, dodgy bowling, even dodgier umpiring and a record crowd.

Under leaden skies, the Ebor Players won the toss and elected to put the Parish Council into bat. Openers Carole Green & Liam Godfrey marched confidently to the crease.

A good opening bowl by former captain Lisa Thornton kept the Parish Council pinned down as they were finding their feet. Making his debut Matthew Edwards was next up to bowl and before long had a wicket, bowling to Green the ball hit the wicket but controversially did not dislodge the bail. The umpire gave Green out nevertheless, not the last controversy of the night.

Don't forget that this year's Bishopthorpe Gala will be held on Saturday 28th June at the palace grounds.

Anyone wishing to have a stall at the Gala can download an information sheet and booking form here. 

Thanks for achieving this must go to the Parish Council who initiated and pursued this over a number of months, the Ward Committee for agreeing the funding and to our local Councillor John Galvin whose intervention helped facilitate a satisfactory conclusion.

In addition the History Board has now been installed and I would urge everyone to go and see it and read what it says about our rich and varied village heritage. Thanks for installing this must go to Richard Parkin, John Bettridge and Ian Jemison.