Agenda item
Right Up Your Street
Find out who does what in your street with the help of council officers Andy Binner, Operations Manager, Richard White, Assistant Director, Russ Broadbent, Parking Services Manager, all from City of York Council Neighbourhood Services
Minutes:
3. Right up your street
Find out who does what in your street with the help of council officers Andy Binner-Operations Manager, Richard White-Assistant Director and Russ Broadbent-Parking Services Manager
3.1Richard White introduced himself and gave an overview of what the department looks after. The areas are
· Maintenance services
· Carriage way resurfacing – keeping all roads in York to the highest possible standard
· Footpath repairs – flags, holes
· Monitoring of weather forecast to predict times for gritting
· Blacksmiths
· Sandbagging
· Clearing silt after floods
· Highways trees
3.2Residents were given the opportunity to raise questions in regards to maintenance issues, the follow was asked.
What is the situation with turning front gardens into parking, people are using stones and impermeable sheeting?
- It is a complicated issues dealt with by planning. The hardstanding put in place should not dramatically increase surface run off, measures are usually outlined at time of planning application. Hard standing are subject to planning permission.
Who is responsible for street crossings?
Network management
Who is responsible for overhanging branches?
For private it comes down to the property owner or the council can charge for clearance work.
What is the situation with the old gas works, Layerthorpe?Planning application has been agreed, enforcement on land owners is carried out regarding cutting back trees.
If we report something will something be done?
Everything will be done to recify the situation within the powers of the local government.
What is the situation with A boards?
A boards are continually removed as they are an ongoing issue.
Is the reportee informed of the outcome?
If you request a reply then you can have a letter or phone call.
Suggestions for Dodsworth Avenue were, not to install sleeping policemen that take up cyclists space on roads as it leads to cyclists on paths and collection of water, ice and rubbish.
These comments will be passed on to relevant officers for consideration, cycling is a big issue for the city.
3.3Russ Broadbent outlined the purpose of parking services and showed where the service sits within the council, it was also explained that Liz Levett, the new Head of Service had been emitted from the slide.
3.3.1 Parking restrictions are decided by Network management, parking services only enforce them.
3.3.2 Road Traffic Act – the power has been transferred to local government to enforce. It is a civil offence dealt with by tribunal.
3.3.3 Since 2004 different penalty charges apply for yellow line, disabled bays- £70 and minor parking offences- £50.
3.3.4 Objectives of the parking service are to keep traffic moving safely, enforcement of parking places and raising revenue from parking fines.
3.3.5 There are 377 miles of restricted parking in York.
3.3.6 Enforcement Teams have declined due to financial restrain. There were 30 when the service was taken over from the police. More work is being done with less staff.
3.3.7 Last year 16,717 penalty charge notices were served, less than previous years that had been as high as 23,000. 70% of charges are paid, 20% are cancelled due to permits not displayed, disabled badges displayed incorrectly ie not showing expiry date.
3.3.8 It is predicted that 18,000 penalty charge notices will be served this year.
3.3.9 The income from penalty notices must be spent on traffic related schemes.
3.3.10 Residents parking – waiting times for non residents vary between 10 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours.
3.3.11 City of York Council can enforce people parking on verges adjacent to yellow lines and blocking of dropped kerbs.
3.3.12 Free parking hotline is 0800 138119 text messages are sent to parking attendants with a goal of attending within 45 minutes.
3.3.13 Parking attendants work from 7:45am to 9pm
3.4Residents were given the opportunity to ask parking related questions, the follow was asked
3.4.1 Why aren’t there more patrols near schools? – there are 40 schools so to be at all location is not possible. If problems arise they will be targeted.
3.4.2 What restrictions are on disabled badges? – usually 3 hours but not everywhere so users should check, the department of transport have a booklet which outlines limits. All CYC carparks, Park and Ride and Residents Parking are free with a blue badge.
3.4.3 What’s the situation with using car club parking bays? – these are issued by network management improper use is ticketable.
3.4.4 Huntington Road, Spar shop was highlighted as a problem area – this was to be looked into.