Decision details

Purpose of Report: A City of York Council capital funding allocation of £60,000 has been identified to carry out channel maintenance improvements on Osbaldwick Beck centred on the section passing through Hull Road Park. Significant silt and vegetation build up have reduced the amenity and biodiversity value of the watercourse and potentially reduce the resilience of the channel during flood flows.

Works are being developed to renew the watercourse at this location and linkages with the Environment Agency are being made to identify wider improvements that could be achieved through these or enhanced measures.

The Executive Member is asked to: Review and debate the report and agree to recommendations and next steps.

Consideration of this item has been deferred from 5 June to 3 July 2017, in order to allow the authority to invite the Environment Agency to attend and join in the public discussion.   Unfortunately the Environment Agency are unable to take part in any pubic discussions with members during purdah.

Resolved:           That Option 2 be approved: The renewal and reinstatement of the current watercourse layout and associated structures through silt removal, weir and sluice gate renewal and works to masonry channel sides and associated structures. Work would then move to feasibility studies and work with key partners such as the Friends of St Nicholas Fields to explore the potential for a second phase of works to enhance the watercourse in the park.

Reason:              Significant works are required to remove silt and vegetation from the site. This will provide an improved amenity for users of the park. Phase 2 works to develop re-naturalisation of the watercourse could deliver further improvements where feasible and funding allows.