Agenda item

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Panel’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Friday 11 July 2008 at 5.00pm.

It was reported that there had been twelve registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Mr Urquhart spoke regarding agenda item 9 (Manor School – Highway Improvement). He confirmed that he lived at Field View one of two properties on Millfield Lane close to the school site. He stated that he had no objections to the school but to the associated traffic problems that it would generate. From the consultation he had ascertained that it was proposed to site a bus stop outside his property close to a dangerous busy junction used by hgv’s. The raised walkway proposed would cause noise and vibration problems and the bus stop would cause access problems to his property. He commented that he did not feel that the bus stop was sited at the safest point on Millfield Lane as indicated by Officers.

Allan Hall spoke regarding agenda item 9 (Manor School – Highway Improvement). He confirmed that he lived on Boroughbridge Road and his objection related to safety issues with the siting of a cycle path adjacent to his property. He stated that the short stretch of cycle path proposed was not logical and that the path should be sited on the road not the path. He also referred to a lack of information from the Authority on the proposals.

Mr Hunter spoke regarding agenda item 9 (Manor School – Highway Improvement). He confirmed that he supported the previous speakers, he was a resident of Newlands Drive. He stated that he felt the increased traffic delay with the traffic lights would prevent residents accessing their properties and create a rat run to avoid them. He stated that residents and cyclists would encounter visibility problems with the cycle path being sited so close to properties.  

Cllr Horton spoke regarding agenda item 9 (Manor School – Highway Improvement). He stated that there were six areas of concern, he agreed that this was a complicated scheme to which some minor amendments had been made. With reference to the cycle route on Beckfield Lane he stated that local residents had not been aware of the proposed amendments. He felt that a cycle lane adjacent to driveways was dangerous and should be removed from the scheme. In relation to the No 10 bus stop he supported amendment to the siting. He questioned the need for the cycle lane in Low Poppleton Lane, which he felt, was unnecessary. Finally he questioned what arrangements were in place in the event of a level crossing break down which would lead to properties and the school being hemmed in.

Judy Nicholson spoke regarding agenda item 12 (Petition seeking addition of Chapel Alley, Fulford to the Streets Maintainable at the public expense). She confirmed that Chapel Alley was a busy route used by many people including children attending school. As the route was so busy she stated that it was important that the path was maintained.

Cllr Aspden spoke regarding agenda item 12 (Petition seeking addition of Chapel Alley, Fulford to the Streets Maintainable at the public expense). He confirmed that he supported the addition of the path to the list of streets maintainable at public expense. The addition of the path would ensure that it was cleaned and maintained he also stated that the path was to be resurfaced during the next financial year.

Anna Semlyen had to leave the meeting and Sonia Petty spoke on her behalf regarding agenda item 8 (Petition for 20mph speed limits in Fishergate Ward). She confirmed that residents supported the imposition of a 20mph speed limit and commented on the difference in the severity of crash injuries at lower speeds. If imposed objector’s felt the reduced speed limit would cut congestion and pollution in the area. She stated that there had been a number of unreported minor accidents in the area and that children had to cross Fulford Road to reach the local play area.

Sonia Petty spoke regarding agenda item 8 (Petition for 20mph speed limits in Fishergate Ward). She commented that speed restrictions were not normally imposed until a major accident occurred. She referred to her young son who had been prevented from involvement in a serious accident, involving a speeding car on Grange Street, by a taxi driver.

Dougie Skilbeck spoke regarding agenda item 10 (Vibration Survey Results for North Moor Road, Huntington). He felt that ground vibration was worse than airborne vibration for residents. He referred to the stress felt by residents following the constant vibrations which they also considered could cause damage to property. He urged the Panel not to ignore the distress and stress these problems were causing local residents and consider alternative measures.

Trudy Redhead spoke regarding agenda item 10 (Vibration Survey Results for North Moor Road, Huntington). She referred to the high vibration levels endured by residents in the vicinity of the speed cushions on North Moor Road. She indicated that residents felt that 3 hour monitoring periods were insufficient to access levels and that the constant vibration was taking a toll on family life. Residents were often awakened during the night with large vehicles clipping the edge of the cushions and she requested Members to examine alternative traffic calming measures.

It was reported that Jacqueline Anderson had registered to speak at the meeting regarding agenda item 13 (Six Monthly Review of Speeding Issues) in particular in relation to speeding issues in Layerthorpe on behalf of residents of Merchants Gate development and Hallfield Road but that she was unable to attend owing to illness.

Ashley Unwin spoke regarding agenda item 13 (Six Monthly Review of Speeding Issues). He confirmed that he had been a resident of Moorgate for 30 years and that this road was used as a rat run for vehicles to Hamilton Drive. He referred to the traffic island erected by the Authority at the Moorgate junction with Acomb Road, which had assisted in slowing traffic at this point. Yellow lines had also been added at this junction but this had moved parked cars further down Moorgate. He stated that cars now parked outside his property, which caused visibility problems on his driveway, and that local residents felt this was now more dangerous as vehicles increased speed at this point.