Agenda and minutes

You will have an opportunity to speak to your local councillors, your Neighbourhood Management Officer, your Street Environment Officer and your Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team. You can also find out about what can be done to combat speeding and parking problems in Heworth, the proposed new ‘Explore’ Central Library and the Sustainable Communities Act.

Approximately 15 residents attended the surgery.  This was a chance for them to speak to:

·        Mora Scaife from Neighbourhood Management about the Sustainable Communities Act,

·        Matthew Ward, the Neighbourhood Management Officer,

·        Angus Young, the local Street Environment Officer,

·        Insp. Dey and PC Wright, the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing team,

·        Sarah Garbacz and Fiona Williams from Library Services about the proposed new Explore Central Library,

·        the Heworth Councillors.

There were refreshments available.

Cllr Funnell welcomed everyone to the meeting and the minutes from February’s meeting were agreed and signed.

A panel of experts from various City of York Council (CYC) departments and other organisations will outline the kind of services they deliver in Heworth Ward before opening up the meeting for questions and debate with you. This is your chance to have your questions answered and put forward your views on what works and what could be improved.

1. Panel Introductions

The following representatives formed a panel of experts regarding transport and travel in Heworth:

• Inspector Alisdair Dey, Safer Neighbourhood Team
• David Carter, Head of Network Management, CYC
• Andrew Bradley, Transport Planning, CYC
• Keith Landale, Route Manager, First York Buses
• Gillian Chefrad, School Travel Plan Co-ordinator, CYC
• Louise Robinson, School Travel Planning, CYC
• Andy Vose, Transport Planner, Cycle City, CYC

Each gave a brief introduction to their area of work, as related to transport.

2. Debate

2.1 The residents were invited to put their questions to the panel.

• 2.1.1  Q: Andrew Taylor - The signage indicating direction of travel on a cycle path which is shared with a footpath needs to be made clear.  Someone was prosecuted for cycling the wrong way on the cycle path.

• A: Andy Vose – Yes, the signage is quite bad in places.  Unfortunately we have to go to the department of Transport to get permission for any non-standard signage, which can take 6 months. However, this is no excuse.  This year we have a budget of £35,000 for new cycle routes in York, so we can pick up these kinds of issues this year. If people give details of particular spots which need improvement we can look into these.

• Comment: Gareth Foster (resident) – There needs to be Give Way signs at junctions where cyclists often ignore the priorities and either risk causing a collision with pedestrians or pull out in front of cars.

• 2.1.2  Q: Mrs Breeds - Why has the number 13 bus stopped coming down that route?

• A: Keith Landale - This route was discussed about 6 months ago and it was considered to be not financially viable, so unfortunately that is why it has been scrapped.  The company needs to look after future business.

• Q: Mrs Breeds – Now many pensioners who have no other mode of transport find it difficult to get around – particularly to Monks Cross

• A: Keith Landale – I understand your concerns and am sorry for the situation. Unfortunately we just cannot run a route if there is not enough demand.

• Andrew Bradley –

• Q: Mrs Breeds - We still have to go all the way around the route to get back.

• A: Andrew Bradley – No, it is a circular route but it goes both ways round so you don’t have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Your opportunity to discuss local issues and concerns with your ward councillors.

1. Q: One resident asked whether bus passes could still be used on the Coastliner buses.

A: Andrew Bradley – Yes, they can if after 9am.