Recently in Ward Matters Category

Ongoing concerns have been expressed to me regarding the confusion that surrounds the status of the footpath between Bustardthorpe Allotments and Terry's boundary wall, with this in mind I have had an onsite meeting with officers to look at this issue. The current position is, that from Green Lane (Opposite Middlethorpe Hotel) to Bustardthorpe Allotments the footpath is dual use ie Pedestrians and cyclists. From the allotments to Terrys' use is pedestrians only.

The width of the footpath from Green Lane to Terry's' is more or less of equal width which is one of the causes of the confusion and the signage near the allotments approaching from the City. There is very little chance of this footpath being widened to enable dual use.

A suggestion was made that the sign by the allotments be removed and that only the pathway between Green Lane and the Law College be dual purpose and that cyclists should be directed on to the cycle path behind the Law College with the possibility of some form of lighting on that stretch of the Cycle Path and of course directed on to the Cycle Path at Terry's', Such alterations will have to be agreed with the Cabinet Member responsible for highways.

On another matter a scheme is being progressed to also upgrade the footpath in Sim Balk Lane to shared use from the Sports Pavilion to the village boundary but I am afraid this will depend on funding being made available.

 

Recently reported in the Link is that the Parish Council is urging York City Council to widen Church Lane as a means of lessening the potential traffic impact on Bishopthorpe following the development of the Terry's Site. I thought it would be helpful if people were to be aware of my views on this proposal which do not accord with the views of the Parish Council, and it is highly unlikely that I could support this proposal, my reasons as follows:-

• Widening Church Lane would in my opinion cause an unacceptable level of disruption to residents of Church Lane and indeed Sim Balk Lane by the increased level of vehicle activity that such widening would attract.
• Widening the carriageway would surely increase the speed of traffic along Church Lane with all the consequences that would follow, better that any increase in traffic be kept at a low speed rather than an increased speed which widening would surely encourage.
• I have major concerns regarding the Bishopthorpe Road junction; I understand the Parish Council are suggesting the installation of a mini roundabout which would necessitate major road works, a realignment of the junction and land take to allow for these works.

Whilst my wish for a village By-Pass has for the time being been rejected by the City Council I shall at every opportunity press for this road to be built, this is the only serious option. The loss of a part of our Green Belt alongside the A64 is a small price to pay for ensuring that not only Church Lane, Sim Balk Lane and indeed the whole village will not suffer traffic chaos that will surely follow this major development.

I make no apology for my views; my only concern is to protect your village and my village, I hope that in the fullness of time common sense will prevail.

 

 

 

 

 

During the past couple of weeks the planters at the bottom of Sim Balk Lane have been adding some colour to the area outside the Chapel despite earlier vandalism and being surrounded on times by excavations, the planters have survived.

 

Imagine my disgust on Sunday morning to find that one of these planters had disappeared without trace. What was more disappointing was that on Monday the City in Bloom Judges came through Bishopthorpe as part of the Judging. I am of the opinion that the theft had been planned in advance and would urge anybody who saw anything suspicious or who might have information as to where the planter is, to contact the Police on 0845 60 60 247 quoting log no 12090056799. The planter cost £250 which included 4 years replanting and maintenance.

 

The Police have had a spate of similar planters reported stolen and they believe that they are being stolen to order.

A community planning forum has been set up with the intention of encouraging input from the communities that will be affected by the development of the Terry's Site. As a member of the City Planning Committee I am unable to be a member. However Glyn Drummond at the Post Office is my nominee and I can assure you that I shall keep my ear firmly to the ground so that I can keep up to date with all proposals.

I will continue to campaign for a village by-pass between Bishopthorpe Road and Sim Balk lane, there is NO OTHER solution to protect our village from serious traffic problems following the development of the site..

It would appear that the Deer population in and around Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis is very much on the increase. I have had a request for "Deer Warning Signs" on Appleton Road as Deer have been seen along Appleton Road and I wonder if there are any reports of Deer being seen on other Roads/Lanes. It will no doubt only be a matter of time before a collision with a Deer will be reported. So please if you have seen them on the highway please let me know

I am delighted to report that at the City Council Meeting on Thursday evening I was nominated and elected to hold the office of The Lord Mayor of York for the year starting 21st May. This is a great honour both for me and my wife. Not only will I strive to represent the City to the very best of my ability but I hope also to bring some benefit to Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis.

If there are any organisations that think the involvement of the Lord Mayor in whatever capacity will help them please don't hesitate to contact me.

Yes I am very proud to have been elected to hold the office and I will probably burst with pride when I am installed,  I am also very proud to represent Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis on the City Council.

I offer the services of the Lord Mayor I hope you will use them. 

I have had a number of comments about gritting the roads in Bishopthorpe during this past spell of frosty weather. It is the policy of the Council to grit bus routes and certain roads around schools. Whilst it would certainly be preferred that all roads were gritted in the authority area, the cost of such an exercise would be huge, both in terms of the actual gritting and in buying and maintaining such a large amount of equipment that would be needed to carry out such gritting in the usual timescale.

I am not an apologist for the Council but one has to be realistic, such funding is not available, nor will it, I suspect be available in the near future. I realise that I  appear to be negative, but sadly we must live in the real world, better that I report   the facts rather than suggest otherwise.

Have you seen the planters on the hard standing by the Chapel at the bottom of Sim Balk Lane? Whilst they don't look terribly exciting at present, I understand that in Spring they will be a riot of colour as the Spring Bulbs burst into flower. They were not due to be in place until next Spring but due to a cancelled order I have been able to direct them to Bishopthorpe following the Spring display the planters will be replanted with summer bedding etc.

I do hope that the planters will not be vandalised and that I can obtain a few more for the village. It is time that we tried to brighten up our favourite village!

Following my story about proposed improvements to the piece of land at the junction of Acaster Lane & Main Street I am given to understand that a number of people are opposed to the installation of a new seat and flower beds. I am led to believe that all that is required is for the old seat to be removed (not the seat provided by the Parish Council) and the area re-grassed either with turf or re-seeded. I would welcome any comments on this subject, so please let me have your comments to enable right decision to be made.