Some houses in the Green Lane area had their power cut off this evening due to work in response to an explosion in the electricity supply box just outside Gateway earlier in the afternoon. The event which saw huge sparks fly out  of the box moments after a family had walked past the narrow pavement near to the railings resulted in the doors of the box being blown open. The supply to the lights on the pedestrian crossing was knocked out. Until the area was made safe the pavement was cordoned off with a police van and Northern Powergrid van at either end – and PCSOs in attendance. According to the eyewitness from Acomb Coblers this is the third time that there has been a problem with the box, and so Cllr Andrew Waller has written to Northern Powergrid today for a report on the causes, and what will be changed in future to avoid a repeat. Homes had their electricity cut off in the evening with power being restored around 9pm.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Sue Hunter has backed the idea of a new investment scheme for Front Street and called on the council “to give Acomb the support it deserves”.

A recommendation for a “wider renewal and reinvigoration scheme” was agreed by York’s Executive Member for Transport & Planning at a meeting this afternoon in response to petitions presented by Lib Dem councillors in Acomb and Foxwood.

Over the summer, Cllr Sue Hunter organised a petition signed by over 800 residents calling for action to fix pavements in Front Street to help those who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and support the local shopping area. Meanwhile, Cllr Sheena Jackson organised a petition calling for improvements to the pavements around Foxwood Shops.

In response to the petitions, it was agreed today by the council that standard repairs will continue and that further work is carried out to appraise the possibilities for a wider renewal and reinvigoration scheme for both locations and a report prepared for the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement.

Cllr Sue Hunter, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westfield, speaking at today’s meeting said:

“In March, I launched my petition to improve the condition of the footpaths on Front Street. This followed concerns raised by local residents and business owners. The response over the spring was tremendous – with more than 800 local residents backing my campaign. I think this shows how big an issue it is, and how important it is to get something done.

“The response also reveals how much local residents and businesses care about Front Street. People want Acomb to succeed. They want to have a thriving local shopping area that is the hub of the local community. This was the driving force behind the Acomb Alive! traders’ group we set up in 2012; to get Acomb buzzing again and to rebuild the community life that Acomb village once had.

“Improving the paths is part of this wider campaign. If we want people to shop locally, then we need to ensure the infrastructure and public space is safe, accessible and attractive. This – along with good local businesses – will encourage people to stay in Acomb rather than get the bus into town.

“I want to thank officers for their work on this report, and I urge the Executive Member to support their recommendations. We should investigate fixing the paths as part of a wider economic improvement scheme for Front Street and Acomb. We also need to work with local traders on this.

“There is so much good work going already in Acomb. Agreeing this recommendation would show the council is willing to back this work and give Acomb the support it deserves.”

We have reported a number of incidents from around the ward in recent days. This includes vandalism to the fencing around the War Memorial at Acomb Green (which we have specifically asked to be repaired quickly so that it does not detract from the Remembrance Day Service) and a burned out bike left near the horses on Foxwood Lane.

Fencing around War Memorial Acomb Green

Burned out motorbike Foxwood Lane field

Posters for the Fun Fair on Thanet Road were followed by Circus Posters, and these were put on boards nailed to trees,  telegraph posts, and cellotaped to telephone boxes and cable boxes. Initial complaints to Street Environment Officers resulted in a large proportion being removed, but many still remained. The Lib Dem council team have been busy removing these from Westfield Ward with Sue, Sheena and Andrew busy in Green Lane, Front Street, Askham Lane, and Gale Lane. Posters for these events are gladly displayed by local shops, and in other legitimate places, and so we are sorry to see a mess around the place. If there are any remaining then please let us know.

After Clean up

Askham Lane close to junction with Foxwood Lane – posters have now been removed

Telephone Box Green Lane near roundabout

There is an Autumn Craft Fair coming up at Acomb Explore on Saturday 8th 9am-4pm

Saturday Evening also sees the Acomb Community Cinema (Free Showing) at 7pm at Acomb Methodist Church. From their description “screening of an uplifting comedy, based on a true story. If you like the story of an underdog then this is the film for you!” Unfortunately they can’t advertise which film as this would cause a license fee issue which would mean that they would have to charge for the films. Drinks and snacks sales allow them to cover their costs.

It has come to that time of year when the delivery of the waste collection calendars is being undertaken. Deliveries will start on Monday 3 October and will be completed by Sunday 23 October.  The calendars also contain information about the final garden waste collections of the year and Christmas collections. The calendars will be available next week to download via the refuse look up tool on the website www.york.gov.uk/refuselookup.

Liberal Democrats – as part of the Joint Executive running York – reintroduced 2 green bin collections over the winter. We are now pushing on with our One Planet York programme as we aim to boost recycling. As part of this, the council is encouraging everyone to sign up to the new One Planet York Waste App  (more information can be found at: www.york.gov.uk/press/article/1827/get_appy_with_one_planet_york) to get bin collection notifications direct to your smartphone.

Following cuts to local funding by the government, the council is looking at ways to best allocate resources, as part of this the schedules of street cleansing have been reviewed using knowledge of frontline employees and local knowledge. This has helped to identify work that is definitely needed and reduce work that was undertaken due to it always being done prior to the rescheduling.

As a result of this for 6 months, beginning in August 2016, there will be a trial period testing the new street cleansing schedules. If you have any feedback during the 6 months please email: shapingneighbourhoods@york.gov.uk

For more information on the schedule for Westfield, go to: www.york.gov.uk/wardstreetcleaning#westfield

On Saturday 15th October between 10am and 12pm, there is an event on at Hazel Court offering opportunities to experiment with activities such as graffiti removal or  litter picking, as well as providing a space to sign up as a volunteer in emergency situations.

Find more information on this poster: Hazel Court Event