Bricknell Avenue road surfaces

John Fareham and John Abbott are continuing to work with local residents and officers to resolve issues with the state of Bricknell Avenue road surfaces. We have often drawn officers’ attention to potholes on Bricknell Avenue and to other surface irregularities which have caused vibration in neighbouring properties, and action has been taken on these. However, our attention has also been drawn to the level of HGV traffic on Bricknell Avenue in the early hours of the morning. This may be sufficient to produce movements in the subsoil basis which may cure themselves in time but which mean that one house may be affected and another not. We will, however, in the belief that the proximate cause of most vibrations is surface irregularities, continue to work with residents to have such flaws in the carriageway dealt with.

Bricknell Avenue central reservation

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to improve the protection of the Bricknell Avenue central reservation from motor vehicles mounting the verge and chewing up the grass. No sooner had we arranged for the reinstatement of these verges than new ruts appeared in the grass. We are therefore seeking to make arrangements to place more scenic rocks in the grass verge at the appropriate points so as to render the verge inaccessible to those taking, shall we say, too wide a line as they turn onto or off Fairfax Avenue. We will of course continue to look out for other instances of the odd stray wheel leaving its mark on grass verges and to seek to provide protection as appropriate. We have the funds, we already have the rocks, but it is fair to say some question the need for action!

Bricknell Avenue traffic vibration

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to resolve recurring issues with traffic-related vibration issues affecting properties on Bricknell Avenue. We have been serving local residents since 1983 and in all that time we haven’t received as many complaints about this issue as we have been receiving of late. The pattern is consistent enough – all those complaining have said that the level of vibration constitutes a threat to the well-being of their homes – for us to have made representations to the officers asking that they account for the problem and present us with a solution that is viable in the long term. Given the amount of excavation that has happened in recent years on Bricknell Avenue, what with the BSF project at Kelvin and all the cable-laying, we feel that there is a case to answer in respect of these works having something to do with it and we will pursue the matter until we get a result.

Latest on service 110 buses

John Fareham and John Abbott report that Wyke Area Committee have deferred a decision on traffic calming measures to ease the passage of service 110 buses from Burniston Road to Langdale Avenue. At the November meeting of Wyke Area Committee a report was considered on the reasons for seeking these changes giving details of the results of the consultation exercise. The Committee felt that the report failed to establish why alternative methods proposed by residents were unsatisfactory, and contained bland generalisations not robust reasons for action. Local residents may rest assured that, concerned as we are to ensure that Bricknell Estate is not wantonly disconnected from the bus network, we will not change anybody’s parking arrangements until we are entirely satisfied it is necessary.

Progress on YPI planning enforcement

John Fareham and John Abbott are making progress towards solving the YPI planning breaches about leaving floodlights on too long. Witness statements have now been prepared by the officers responsible for planning enforcement and passed on to the Council’s legal team who are currently making preparations to act on receipt of formal instructions. The issues we have had elsewhere in the Ward, responding to local residents’ concerns about travellers on unauthorised camp sites makes us wary of extrapolating a court date from the facts we now possess; however, this is the kind of progress we thought local residents would like to know about, even if only as reassurance that the system is still moving forward.

Bricknell Avenue potholes to be repaired

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured an undertaking that potholes on Bricknell Avenue near the roundabout will be inspected and a work order raised to fill them in. We received complaints from local residents that they were experiencing vibration caused by these flaws in the road surface when heavy vehicles passed over them and that they had received undertakings that work would be done. John and I therefore checked the location of the potholes, took photos to send to the officers and listened to the noise made by traffic passing over the potholes, which tended to support the view taken of the matter by local residents. We have now received assurances from the officers that an inspector will visit the site and that a work order will be raised to get the potholes filled in. We are of course continuing to act on concerns about carriageway maintenance elsewhere on Bricknell Avenue.

Bricknell Avenue bus time display updated

John Fareham and John Abbott have arranged for the bus timetables displayed on both sides of Bricknell Avenue near the shops to be updated to reflect the new Stagecoach Service 13A. At the beginning of September Stagecoach revised the service 13 so that some buses would carry on past Fairfax Avenue, turn right along Hotham Road North and then carry on as usual when outbound; such buses, when inbound, serve Hull Road, Cottingham as far as the West Bulls and then turn onto Bricknell Avenue. Full timetable details are available from the Interchange but we thought it was not good enough that the stops at the junction of Hotham Road North and Bricknell Avenue should only show the existing Service 110. We therefore contacted the officers who agreed – in short order – to update the timetable information given on the bus stop signage.

Goodfellowship planning application withdrawn

John Fareham and John Abbott understand that the planning application recently submitted, to change the conditions originally applied to the proposal for eight houses on the Goodfellowship pub car park, has now been withdrawn. The original developer has pulled the plug altogether. The original planning permission will however remain in place until April 2015 which would give any potential developer, who wants to take over, ample time to step in and either act on the present planning permission or submit a fresh application which could result in more properties on the same plot of land. We will of course keep local residents informed as to what happens if a fresh developer comes along or a new application is submitted.

County Road North-National Avenue grassed area tidied

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the trimming of an untidy patch of grass at the junction of County Road North and National Avenue. The foliage at this point had become sufficiently untidy to warrant the use of a strimmer. We therefore contacted the officers and asked for clarification as to when action would be taken and the work has now been carried out. We will however continue to press for a proper redesign of the grass and plants at this junction. We will continue to take the view that, since the original planting at this point was carried out using Community Initiatives funding, the corporate centre should fund the remodelling since it became necessary through their lack of vigilance as to its condition.

National Avenue speeding

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings from the Police that concerns relating to speeding on National Avenue will be addressed. When we were informed by a local resident at our most recent mobile forum (and this was not the first time) that there were particular problems with speeding first thing in the morning – especially between 7 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. – this tended to confirm the impression that there was indeed a problem. We have therefore placed the reports we had had before the Police who undertook to monitor the situation and report back to us as soon as they had any news. For obvious reasons of public safety – National Avenue may be long and straight but it isn’t all that wide – we will continue to take an interest in this issue until a suitable solution is arrived at.

YPI to be prosecuted over floodlights

John Fareham and John Abbott understand that preparations are being made to prosecute the YPI for failure to abide by the planning conditions governing the hours when their floodlights can be left on. An enforcement notice was issued late last year requiring YPI to behave themselves in this connection. This is still in force which should help speed things up. The officers have been to confirm that the information provided to us by local residents, all of which we have passed to them, was correct and they consider there is now enough evidence to prosecute. One last attempt will be made to communicate with YPI while the officers prepare and check the case paperwork ready for passing to the Council’s legal team in order to go to court sometime early in November.

Goodfellowship houses again

John Fareham and John Abbott have details of a planning application to change the detailed design of the eight houses for which planning permission has already been granted. Details of this application have been posted on the Council website and can be accessed using the reference number 13/01085/FULL. The applicants want to move the turning head forward by 5ft 10 in and to make some design changes to four of the proposed properties including the replacement of hipped roofs with gables. As ever the E-mail address for comments is dev.control@hullcc.gov.uk and the postal address is Planning Services, Kingston House, Bond Street, Hull HU1 3ER. Local residents wishing to pass comments for or against the application should quote the reference given above in their letter or E-mail.

Bricknell Avenue central reservation works

John Fareham and John Abbott have found out the cause of the Bricknell Avenue central reservation being dug up yet again. Having noticed that work was going on we contacted the officers at once to enquire why there was a substantial and unexpected hole of some considerable depth in the central reservation, with a van-load of workmen and barriers in attendance. They informed us that Northern Power Grid were carrying out the repair work and were attending to a dead electricity cable that should be feeding power to the street lighting columns. It goes without saying that we shall expect the damage to the grass verge to be fully and properly reinstated and that we will press for this work to be carried out, whether by the contractors or by the corporate centre if need be.

Loveridge Avenue tenfoot flooding

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured attention to the risk of the Loveridge Avenue tenfoot flooding. Whilst handling an enquiry regarding the proposed changes referred to in CONTACT! 1416 we had our attention drawn to the fact that the tenfoot was at risk of flooding. This naturally was cause for concern so we referred the matter to the officers who agreed to instigate an investigation into the state of the drainage. It will of course be remembered, by those who followed the recriminations after the 2007 floods, that drainage issues were at the forefront of the controversy at the time; so far as we are concerned, the lesson has been learnt and we take all drainage issues seriously. There may never be floods like those again, but we take the view that we should not take the chance and will follow up this matter so that, if a problem is found, it will be put right.

YPI site to be sold

John Fareham and John Abbott understand that the entire YPI site will shortly be put up for sale. The YPI have been looking at their operations, which accounts for the sale of the front car park to developers. Now that we believe the whole site is to go on the market, this may be some consolation in the short term to those worried about the floodlights being left on late, but the planning permission for 8 houses and associated foliage goes with the car park and has no bearing on what a prospective purchaser might choose to do with a substantial patch of land in an area of high housing demand if they could secure planning permission for the proposals. We will therefore keep local residents informed of developments as they become known.

Wyke College extension works

John Fareham and John Abbott are getting close to a solution for Loveridge Avenue traffic problems. There are two separate problems to resolve. The first is devising a safe basis on which motorists and pedestrians can both use the tenfoot access at the high-numbered end. The other is to ease the pressure on parking space in that Loveridge Avenue is not really wide enough to accommodate a parked car on each side with room for cars, let alone the emergency services who have their own views on this issue, to pass easily through. We have been meeting with officers to work out a safety scheme for the tenfoot which is agreed and we are also working on costings for other proposals so that, wherever possible, motor vehicles can be parked on the frontage instead of on the carriageway.

Loveridge Avenue traffic

John Fareham and John Abbott are getting close to a solution for Loveridge Avenue traffic problems. There are two separate problems to resolve. The first is devising a safe basis on which motorists and pedestrians can both use the tenfoot access at the high-numbered end. The other is to ease the pressure on parking space in that Loveridge Avenue is not really wide enough to accommodate a parked car on each side with room for cars, let alone the emergency services who have their own views on this issue, to pass easily through. We have been meeting with officers to work out a safety scheme for the tenfoot which is agreed and we are also working on costings for other proposals so that, wherever possible, motor vehicles can be parked on the frontage instead of on the carriageway.

Newland Avenue road closure

John Fareham and John Abbott report that Newland Avenue will be closed to traffic for railway bridge repairs from 8 pm on Monday 28th October until 6 am on the 29th. The Council have obtained an order to divert traffic in order that both the Network Rail people doing the repairs and local residents who might otherwise have driven under the bridge may do what they’re doing or go where they’re going in safety. Technically the order could run for up to eighteen months or until the work is finished, whichever is sooner, but the work is expected to take only the one night. We pass this information on so that local residents who normally travel via Newland Avenue at these times of day can be aware of the diversion and make such other arrangements as they consider necessary.

Cottingham Road bus service details

John Fareham and John Abbott have speeded up the provision of timetable details for the revised East Yorkshire bus services on Cottingham Road. As of 29th September EYMS stopped running the 215 and 315 services and expanded the 103 bus to be a full-day service to Cottingham via the Avenues, Newland Avenue and Cottingham Road. We thought that this major expansion of bus provision here – this is a considerable increase in Cottingham Road bus provision, insofar as there are now six buses an hour to town via Newland Avenue instead of just two as well as other services – should be accompanied by the availability of full timetable details, not just those provided by EYMS in print and online but those given on the electronic signage at the Interchange and in the lists of bus times provided at bus stops. These details were not all forthcoming so we contacted the officers and asked for the Interchange and bus stop details to be updated. These have now been attended to and you can now consult lists of bus times at your local bus stop (where these were already provided) or see which bay the 103 leaves from at the Interchange.

Cropton Park car parking

John Fareham and John Abbott have taken initial steps to address the overflow parking problems arising from the use of the Cropton Park playing fields for sporting activities. Local residents have been complaining that when parents bring their children to learn to play rugby, the onsite parking capacity is insufficient to meet the demand. John and I have therefore been working to ensure more parking spaces are available by de-cluttering the car park of wood chippings. This will create two more parking spaces and work will continue to identify who owns the containers on the park and where they can be taken to in order to create several more parking spaces. There is of course a finite limit to the capacity of any car park but we are determined to ensure that as much of this one as possible is actually used for parking cars.

Barrington Avenue barriers

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the removal of barriers left on Barrington Avenue since work was carried out there some months ago. We received complaints from local residents that although the footpath around the grass square had been replaced as far back as May, two yellow barriers had yet to be taken away after the work was completed. We therefore got on to the officers and pointed out that, if they could take election posters down promptly, it ought not to be impractical to send a van round, even one that was just passing, and remove the barriers. They agreed to move the barriers – they did so on October 3rd – and they also agreed to apologise in writing to at least one local resident.

YPI floodlights enforcement

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured an undertaking from the officers of enforcement action against the YPI for leaving their floodlights on far too late. Having received complaints from local residents that floodlights were being left on as late as 9.35 or even 11 p.m. we referred the matter to the officers, stating that in our view the information we had received from local residents – dates, times, the lot - spoke for itself. They replied to say they would write to the YPI’s Trustees reminding them that an enforcement notice would be issued in response to breaches of the planning conditions. It goes without saying that we will continue to take note of the information passed on to us by any concerned residents and forward it to the officers for action. It is not rocket science to ensure these lights are switched off at the end of sporting activities and we intend to ensure that the YPI abide by the planning conditions set when they got permission for floodlights.

Waste bin emptying

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the emptying of overflowing waste bins at the Bricknell Avenue/Hotham Road North shops. Diversion of staff to other duties – the crew were diverted to Cottingham Road because of the new surge of students – caused a breakdown in the normal emptying cycle whereby the bins are emptied three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We now understand that the bins have been emptied and will look at the possibility of increasing their capacity to cope with the demand partly created by students from Kelvin and Wyke. It goes without saying of course that if the bin-emptying cycle breaks down again we will not hesitate to take the matter up.

Knapton Avenue resurfacing

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the resurfacing of Knapton Avenue pavements. Whilst we have yet to hear back from the officers that the contract has been awarded or to whom, the decision has nevertheless been taken to do the work and the intention is that it be completed by November. The technique to be used is “slurry sealing” which, whilst not as long lasting as tarmac, nevertheless offers a quick and affordable approach to a medium-term pavement repair. We will of course let local residents know as soon as we have an exact date for the commencement of the work.

Bricknell Avenue cycle lanes

John Fareham and John Abbott report that cycle lane markings on Bricknell Avenue have now been revised to address concerns regarding the cycle lanes being too close to parked cars. We passed on the officers local residents’ concerns to that there was insufficient room in the cycle lane to allow for car doors being opened as cyclists passed by. As our photograph shows, the original lines have been deleted and new ones painted which we hope will allow sufficient extra room for cyclists to pass by in safety. Given that Bricknell Avenue is a busy road at times, clearly such issues as this require prompt attention; we do of course stand ready to address any further matters which may arise affecting the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, bus passengers or motorists on Bricknell Avenue.

Goodfellowship pub foliage

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured an undertaking that work will be carried out to clear overgrown trees and vegetation on Kenilworth Avenue by the side of the Goodfellowship public house. We have arranged with the officers to contact the brewery and get them to trim the foliage but no reply from that quarter was received. We therefore arranged to contact the pub’s manager who informed us that she would pass the message on to the people who visit the pub on a regular basis in order that they could carry out the work when they come again some time later in the month. If of course no change in the position takes place and there is still foliage from the pub premises overhanging onto the carriageway, we will pursue the matter again.

Bricknell Avenue electricity substation

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings that the state of the electricity sub-station on Bricknell Avenue will be attended to. We have received complaints from local residents living nearby that, while the sub-station may very well be working OK, the grass and weeds around it are getting out of hand. We have therefore made representations to the local electricity providers concerned who have undertaken to send someone to take a look at it. They have said that this may well take them six to eight weeks but if nothing happens within that timeframe to improve the state of this sub-station we will of course contact them again.

Cottingham Road pavements

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured further pavement reinstatements on Cottingham Road covering part of the section between the two entrances to Newland Park. This follows on from the work already undertaken to reinstate pavements on Cottingham Road further towards Cottingham and forms part of our ongoing programme of pavement maintenance. This section of pavement, of course, includes the place where students catch buses to Cottingham and we consider it important for their perception of Hull, whether they stay here after their studies as we did or go off to prosper somewhere else, that the one bit of pavement they see the most of during their three years here should be kept in good order. We do of course also share local residents’ concern for the state of the grass verges and are continuing to work with the officers to find a solution that will be both practicable and acceptable to all concerned.

Cropton Park play equipment

John Fareham and John Abbott report that orders have been placed for the new play and other equipment for Cropton Park and that installation work began early in September. A special meeting of Wyke Area Committee early in August approved the funding for this work to take place. Since then the officers have been talking to the companies that will be doing the work and they said work would commence on the 9th and would take approximately two weeks. This we were most impressed with as the fourth phase of refurbishing Cropton Park could turn out to have taken only a little over a month – a remarkable turn of speed in local government terms.

Hotham Road North tree trimming

John Fareham and John Abbott have once again secured the trimming back of undergrowth around Hotham Road North trees. The correct scientific name for the things sticking up like tank-traps from the roots of these trees is ‘epicormic growth’ but the political term may well be ‘recurring nuisance’ since we arranged to have these growths cut back last year. On receiving reports from local residents asking that the work be repeated both of us contacted the officers and were both firm in our request that something be done, not least because of the child safety implications. We were given to understand by the officers that some consideration was being given to scheduling the work but we were then informed by local residents that the work had been carried out. It goes without saying that if the problem recurs – either next week or next year – we will stand ready to ask the officers to get out the trimming equipment and take the necessary action. We will also look into why certain sections of the street have been missed out.

Allderidge Avenue relighting

John Fareham and John Abbott have allocated funds for the relighting of Allderidge Avenue with traditional-style street lights. The new lights are to be funded from reallocated Community Safety fund money and will be traditional rather than modern in design in response to the overwhelming preference expressed by local residents for that kind of design. They will look somewhat like the ones in Mead Road near Anlaby Park but we have impressed on the officers that street lamps like those would be too tall for Allderidge Avenue and we want shorter ones installing here. This is of course part of the long-term strategy we have in place to relight the whole ward to modern luminescence levels in the belief that good street lighting improves community safety and goes some way towards deterring crime.

Bricknell Avenue road markings

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings that the reinstated road markings on Bricknell Avenue will be checked for accuracy in the interests of public safety. We have received complaints from local residents to the effect that, as repainted after the recent road and resurfacing works, these markings now removed the boundary between car parking spaces and the cycle lane, rendering cyclists vulnerable to accidents should they happen to be passing a car when someone opened its door. John and I have therefore asked the officers to check whether this is indeed the case and we have received an undertaking that an officer of the Council will be out to check that the markings are as they should be. The officers have worked out what needs to be done in order to put them straight and in some places have changed the position of the lines.

Kenilworth Avenue dustcart issues

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to resolve issues with dustcarts being unable to access the tenfoot between Kenilworth Avenue and Fairfax Avenue owing to overhanging garden foliage.

For reasons of health and safety, members of staff unfortunately declared it impracticable to collect wheelie-bins from the tenfoot. As an interim measure, therefore, residents have been asked to take their bins out front pending steps being taken to require the trimming of the offending foliage and to offer assistance in this connection to those local residents who are too frail or elderly to undertake such tasks themselves. It should be stressed that this is purely an interim measure and that collection of wheelie-bins from the rear of properties will be resumed as soon as possible.

CCTV cameras on the way

John Fareham and John Abbott are arranging for CCTV cameras to protect the environs of Appleton Primary School in the event of further incursions by travellers.

As of this moment, the travellers have left East Hull and their whereabouts are not known. In the light of their misconduct last time, we have worked with the officers to ensure that CCTV cameras come as a coercive deterrent. Because the pathway to the footbridge cannot be blocked off as other sites nearby have been, or all residents will be inconvenienced, cameras should assist the Police in enforcing the law should the travellers come again. CCTV footage can be copied to DVD and has already been helpful when John had a hand in ordering the closure of disorderly pubs.

Bricknell Avenue electricity works

John Fareham and John Abbott have been working to minimise public disruption caused by the electricity maintenance works on Bricknell Avenue.

We understand local residents’ concerns in this concern and if the work has been causing damage or nuisance at this stage residents should call the principal contractors, Northern Powergrid, on 0800 781 8848 at any time, 24 hours a day.  Balfour Beatty may have been doing the work on their behalf but this is one time when we would advise calling Northern Powergrid are in overall charge of local electricity distribution circuits.    However, in the unlikely event that residents get the run-around from either Northern Powergrid or Balfour Beatty, we do stand ready to advise and if necessary assist with such matters. We have already been assisting local residents for some time with complaints about the state of the road and we will continue to do so.

Kelvin Hall school bus problems

John Fareham and John Abbott are working with local public transport providers to ensure local residents are not inconvenienced by buses arriving at, and departing from, Kelvin Hall School on contract services.

During our June mobile surgery we were contacted by local residents who were concerned by the speed of school buses leaving the premises at the end of the school day, especially when turning round near Tesco Express.  We therefore contacted the company concerned who have since got back to us to say that they have issued a staff notice to their drivers to ask them to be more considerate of local residents’ interests.  It goes without saying that we will of course pass on any further comments we receive from local residents in this connection.

Ancaster Avenue bin collection

John Fareham and John Abbott report that a possible alternative to Ancaster Avenue wheelie-bins being collected from the front is under consideration, with cost being the remaining issue.

After prolonged pressure on our part officers of the Council visited Ancaster Avenue and took a good look at the size of the tenfoot.  They concluded that it would be easy enough for residents to put their bins out as usual at the back and for the binmen to drag them to the end of the tenfoot where the dustcart would be waiting. Even from the mid-point of the tenfoot, this would mean pulling the bins for 50 yards at most. This is of course at present only a proposal but we think it is a better way round than front bin collection, and from what many local residents have told us, it may be a preferable option for them too.

Planning inspector visits YPI site

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the Planning Inspectorate have visited the site of the proposed flats on the YPI car park.

It just so happened that we were in attendance there in connection with one of our pioneering and trailblazing mobile surgeries at the very same time the planning inspector was in attendance. We noted that the site was being assessed in terms of size and that, in accordance with the rules, representatives of both sides were in attendance. We of course were not allowed to go and bend the inspector’s ear – I’m on Planning Committee and John has been trained to stand in for me – but one thing that did very much concern us was that national rules mean no channel appeared to exist for local residents to say whether they felt this open space should be saved for all.  At all events, the officers tell us that the result of the appeal will be known in two to three weeks and when we know what it is, we will let you know what the Planning Inspectorate decided and on what grounds.

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the Planning Inspectorate have visited the site of the proposed flats on the YPI car park.

It just so happened that we were in attendance there in connection with one of our pioneering and trailblazing mobile surgeries at the very same time the planning inspector was in attendance. We noted that the site was being assessed in terms of size and that, in accordance with the rules, representatives of both sides were in attendance. We of course were not allowed to go and bend the inspector’s ear – I’m on Planning Committee and John has been trained to stand in for me – but one thing that did very much concern us was that national rules mean no channel appeared to exist for local residents to say whether they felt this open space should be saved for all.  At all events, the officers tell us that the result of the appeal will be known in two to three weeks and when we know what it is, we will let you know what the Planning Inspectorate decided and on what grounds.

Commonwealth Homes grass cutting

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings that the grassed area inside Commonwealth Homes will be trimmed.

During the course of one of our pioneering and trailblazing mobile surgeries we noticed that the grass on the other side of the road, in front of the Appleton Road flats, had been mown but that the grass inside Commonwealth Homes had been left for long enough for daisies and dandelions to begin to predominate.  We therefore both contacted the relevant officer of the Council who came out in short order and, having seen the obvious, undertook to find out why your grassed area had not been maintained to the same standard as the surrounding area and to devote resources to bringing it back up to the right standard.

Newland Park street sweeping

John Fareham and John Abbott have been working in close co-operation with the Newland Park Residents’ Association to secure improved sweeping and gutter cleaning in Newland Park.

We thank the Residents’ Association for their considerable support and influence to supplement our prolonged pressure for effective action in this connection. What has been agreed is that once a fortnight – usually, if at all possible, on the same day – the pavements will be swept and, in recognition of the large number of trees in the Park and the consequent heavy leaf fall, gutters will be cleared twice annually instead of once as is usual elsewhere. During our pioneering and trail-blazing mobile surgeries we have of course witnessed the problem at first hand as Newland Park is one of our regular stops. Both of us do of course stand ready to assist should there be any technical hitches with the new arrangement.

Rail bridge remodelling

John Fareham and John Abbott report that a decision record has been signed to award a contract for the work to remodel the bridge over the Hull to Scarborough rail line.

John Fareham says, “As we reported in CONTACT! 1384, a decision record was then in the pipeline to authorise this work.  A senior officer of the Council has now signed this, we have obtained a copy of the decision record, and this means that the contractors can go ahead and start work knowing that they will be paid, how much they will be paid and what for – the contract is for a total of just over £66,000 and will come from the money already allocated for the rebuilding of Kelvin Hall School. We understand that the work began on Monday June 24th and is expected to take about eight weeks.”

Allderidge Avenue graffiti again

John Fareham and John Abbott have chased up and secured the removal of graffiti from the street sign on Allderidge Avenue.

While CONTACT! 1381 was going the rounds we noticed that the cleaning of this sign, which should have been undertaken a day or two earlier according to the information we received from the officers, had not in fact even been started. We therefore shared our concerns about this with the officers who arranged for the work to be done the following morning. We both visited the site – John Abbott in the evening we found out about this and John Fareham the following morning - and we both e-mailed the officers that evening and again in the morning.  The officers moved quickly in response, confirming the job was done by lunchtime, but given the propensities of those with spray cans we beg leave to doubt that this is all they will get up to and will insist on a prompt further response should more graffiti appear.

Chanterlands Avenue depot appearance

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured an interim solution to the problem of loss of visual amenity for those whose homes face the Council depot on Chanterlands Avenue North.

We have been liaising with the officers on this and it has been proposed that the concrete buildings in the depot be painted green to make their appearance less offensive in the hope that this will suffice as a temporary measure until the foliage at the front has had the chance to grow enough to provide proper screening. We now understand the job has been passed to NPS who will do the work as soon as they can obtain the correct kind of paint. It goes without saying that if this does not prove sufficient we will consider other options, but part of the issue hitherto has been finding a solution which does not have negative impact on the traffic situation by either blocking drivers’ views when they leave the depot or hiding them from motorists on Chanterlands Avenue North as they turn onto it. We are outraged by how long this has taken -  it is a simple matter but we have seen the Council passing the buck from department to department.

Hull to Scarborough bridge remodelling

John Fareham and John Abbott report that work is soon to begin on the remodelling of the bridge over the Hull to Scarborough rail line.

The legal documentation to purchase the additional land needed for the works has been signed and has been exchanged with the vendor – not all the land to be used originally belonged to the Council – and the contractors who have been selected to do the job will then be eager to get started. A decision record to formalise the deal in Council procedural terms can be signed as soon as the text has been slightly amended.  The officers have undertaken to ensure local residents on both sides of the bridge are kept aware of anything that may affect them but we too will ensure that such information is passed on to residents on this side of the bridge.

Allderidge Avenue street lights

John Fareham and John Abbott would like to know what local residents' preferences are with regard to modern or replica old-fashioned replacement street lighting for Allderidge Avenue.

John and John are, for their own part, entirely relaxed as to which option residents prefer, but given the limitations placed on funding for such works and the time for which it is available, they would appreciate hearing as soon as possible, and ideally by the end of June, from local residents who have preferences one way or the other in this matter.  They will of course go along with the majority view as to which form of lighting is preferred, but local residents may wish to bear in mind that replica lamp standards cost approximately twice as much as the modern variety, possibly because there is less demand for, or more complexity in, marking replicas of old fashioned street lights.

Bricknell Avenue resurfacing

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the north side of Bricknell Avenue will be resurfaced this summer on the completion of the current cabling connection works.

Local residents will, of course, be well aware  that the carriageway has been dug up a second time in order to install new jointing pits in which to connect cables, which could only be installed once the full cabling route was established.  As soon as the works currently under way in Cottingham are completed, the resurfacing works can be scheduled and the officers expect that the will be going ahead in June or July depending on when the weather is suitable. Of course, we will be open to input from local residents as to whether this work is a complete resolution of issues with vehicles causing vibration in buildings and will work to resolve any such problems if it isn’t.

Allderidge Avenue graffiti

John Fareham and John Abbott have arranged for the removal of graffiti on the sign at the entrance to Allderidge Avenue.

As local residents may appreciate, we pass this way often, and having seen the markings on the sign we reported them to the officers.  Nothing having happened as a result, we reported the matter again, referring to the persons responsible in terms of appropriate vigour, and this time we received an undertaking from the officers that the work would be done the following day or the working day after that.  It goes without saying that if any more vandals try mistaking your street sign for a wipe-clean board we will attend to the matter again – graffiti are not clever and simply obliterating half a sign with spray paint is vandalism pure and simple.

National Avenue bin

John Fareham and John Abbott have arranged for the relocation of a litter bin on National Avenue that was being used as a stepping-stone by vandals to access National Avenue allotments.

This matter was drawn to our attention by an allotment holder who had seen this bin being used in just such a fashion and could not understand at all why the bin was on that side when the houses were on the other side and bin users might well have been expected to prefer not to cross the road to get rid of sweet wrappers or the like.  We therefore contacted the local area team who now understand that the bin will be moved further down National Avenue and away from the allotments within the week so that it cannot be climbed on to get into the allotments. John, Andrew Percy and John have forked out Community Initiatives funding over the years to improve litter bin provision nearby and we now hope that getting this one on the correct side of the road will improve its throughput of litter.

Wyke College traffic flow

John Fareham and John Abbott have made a start on changes to traffic flow around Wyke College through improved College parking arrangements.

As a result of correspondence between ourselves and Wyke College, we are pleased to inform local residents that the College will, from the start of the autumn term in September, be allocating 21 parking spaces for College students. This may or may not be as many places as are needed but we will continue to work with the officers and with local residents to improve traffic flow around this junction. After all, keeping the Burniston Road – Hartoft Road – Grammar School Road loop clear is not just of concern to motorists, it also has a bearing on the long term viability of the Stagecoach service 110 bus route which can get right royally stuck on the corners.

Tribute band festival given go-ahead

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the licensing application for a tribute-band festival on the YPI site has been approved by a sub-committee of the Council’s Licensing Committee.

John and John do of course remain very aware of the many concerns raised by local residents with regard to such issues as YPI floodlighting and the parking issues that might arise should the flats on the YPI frontage be approved at appeal.  When the sub-committee met John Abbott therefore asked the event organiser about the noise levels as they might impact on local residents and was assured that the Council’s Environmental Health officers had no concerns in that respect and that, to put it in non-technical terms, the event would be held in the same marquee as usual and the organiser had regularly been able to use his mobile phone just outside the marquee without the music from within getting in the way.  There being no other licensing concerns, the sub-committee therefore approved the application subject to confirmation, which the officers have since received, that the YPI had indeed given permission for the event to go ahead.

Strathcona Avenue street sign

John Fareham and John Abbott have arranged for the replacement of the street sign at the Bricknell Avenue end of Strathcona Avenue.

Following the state of the signage here being drawn to our attention, we referred the matter to the officers, requesting that they attend to it as part of our continuing attention to the state of local signage and street furniture in general.  The signs at the other end are of course in the East Riding but we will continue to take seriously our responsibility for such routine maintenance as this.

Bricknell Avenue cabling works

John Fareham and John Abbott have been investigating the sudden reappearance of cabling roadworks on Bricknell Avenue of which local residents received only 24 hours’ notice.

Local residents contacted us on the day that the excavation works began and have since furnished us with the letter they received from the contractors dated 14^th May stating that the work was due to start on the 15^th.  We have been liaising with residents who live right near the works and who have complained about the appearance of cracks in their interior house walls; if you see any such cracks in your walls – and of course we hope you don’t - we suggest you contact the Council’s Insurance Section in the Corporate Finance Department of the Guildhall on 613520 or 613517. If you can take photos of such cracks they will be able to advise you on where to send them and will take the necessary enquiries from there.  We have also contacted the officers and Balfour Beatty to request an explanation of the lack of notice to local residents and ourselves.

Hotham Road North community payback litter clearance

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the clearing of large amounts of rubbish from the pathway between Hotham Road North and the railway footbridge.

According to a report to Wyke Area Committee, the Community Payback people who carried out the work collected ten full bin-bags of rubbish from this particular location.  This after the mess left in the first instance by various previous traveller incursions had been thoroughly removed.  This report rather suggests that keeping the pathway and its environs clean is a matter which we will need to keep an eye on and not just as a result of travellers being there. This of course we will continue to undertake and we will make sure the officers know about the state of this area when it needs to be done again.

More on Ancaster Avenue wheelie-bins

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to resolve issues with the proposal to stop emptying Ancaster Avenue wheelie-bins via the tenfoot.

Following your response to our vigorous campaign, a report from the officers now says the problem is centred around the tenfoot from 51 to 111 Ancaster Avenue and the amount of damage caused by refuse trucks to the old tenfoot surface.  The officers maintain that collecting wheeled bins from the front is the solution, which would be particularly awkward for those residents living on the even-numbered side and in the corners whose front garden paths are the longest, but the response to CONTACT! 1360 was entirely opposed to this idea.  We are therefore arranging a meeting with the officers via our local Area Team and we are hopeful that a solution can be worked out that will prevent further structural damage to the tenfoot without putting local residents to the sort of inconvenience many of you have already made it clear that you do not want.

National Avenue litter removal

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured action to stop rubbish from the National Avenue industrial estate blowing onto the allotments.

The National Avenue Allotments Association contacted us about rubbish finding its way onto the allotments, obliging allotment holders to spend time picking up litter. As an allotment holder elsewhere myself, I am sure they would rather have spent that time taking steps to either plant something or help it grow.  We therefore contacted the officers who have got onto the cash-and-carry firm whose premises adjoin the allotment. The company have carried out a litter pick, moved their bins away from the boundary and have now fitted mesh fencing to stop any further litter blowing onto the allotments.  It goes without saying that if this proves insufficient we will be prepared to look into further measures.

Hotham Road North gating scheme

John Fareham and John Abbott have supported arrangements for a gating scheme affecting 31 properties in Hotham Road North and Fairfield Road.

We have matched funding, splitting the cost 50-50 between the Council and local residents and, through the rapid response we were able to arrange , it has been possible for local residents to confirm the go-ahead with the chosen company and agree date for the manufacture and installation of the security gate. As ever, this has been a case of all local residents directly affected agreeing to the scheme, but we remain committed to the principle that, if funding can be arranged and all local residents concerned are up for it, then we will help to make it so. Despite reductions in funding, we remain happy to support the splendid work done by the local community, who set this in motion, and we congratulate their community spirit.

Travellers removed from Bricknell Estate

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the removal of travellers from the pathway between Hotham Road North and the rail footbridge.

Local residents got in touch with us as soon as they arrived and as usual we made officers of the Council and Humberside Police aware of their arrival.  Given that they turned up on Friday evening and, with typical disregard for the wider community, parked right alongside Appleton Primary School fencing, we continued to keep in touch with all concerned across the weekend, pending the chance for the officers to get into the office and start work on the legal paperwork. Until the court heard the matter on Friday, by which time the travellers had taken 48 hours’ notice of the court case as 24 hours’ notice to disappear, the staff of Appleton Primary School had to keep children in at break times to keep them safe from the travellers’ dogs and there were regrettable instances of Appleton pupils being hassled by traveller children on the way home to such an extent that parents and the  police had to intervene. We are of course checking with the police to say whether there is to be any follow-up on that.

Wyke College application approved

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the planning application for an extension to the premises of the Wyke Sixth Form College has been approved by the City Council’s Planning Committee.

The officers’ report to Committee recommended approval of the application on the basis that, to put it simply, this was an appropriate use for the land.  We ensured that the conditions imposed did their best to protect residential privacy and we are pleased that the College have worked with us in that connection.  We have also highlighted that Stagecoach’s concerns about the difficulty of getting buses round Grammar School Road, Hartoft Road and Burniston Road, which may impact on the viability of the Service 110 bus continuing to serve the estate with the prospective level of displaced student parking from the campus and some resident parking are a concern for Stagecoach.

Huntley Drive and Murrayfield Road junction markings

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the reinstatement of white lines at the junctions at both ends of Huntley Drive and at the junction of Murrayfield Road  and Bricknell Avenue.

Not for the first time, we have raised concerns with the officers about the wear and tear on your road markings being such as might cause doubt among road users about where they were supposed to stop.  In the light of the lengths we have had to go to in the past, we are therefore delighted to announce that a contract has been issued for work to renew your markings and that the contractors have been issued with an instruction to get the work done within one month, which means that the new lines should be in place by June 1^st. It goes without saying, though, that we will continue to take an interest in the state of your carriageways and others in this vicinity.

Windsor Road carriageway markings

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the reinstatement of white lines at the entrance to Windsor Road and at the T-junction further down.

This follows local residents complaining that it was not safe to negotiate that T-junction without road markings telling motorists where they needed to stop.  Given the fun and games we have had in the past elsewhere in the ward – Newland Park residents had to fork out in 1993 for the double yellow lines on their blind bends – we are delighted to inform you that a contract for the work has been issued and that work should be carried out, as we understand it, within a month or at the very least by 1^st June. We will of course continue to take an interest in local carriageway maintenance in all its aspects but this is a considerable step in the right direction.

Southfield Road carriageway markings

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured the reinstatement of white lines at the Bricknell Avenue end of Southfield Road.

Not for the first time, we have raised concerns with the officers about the wear and tear on your road markings being such as might cause doubt among road users as to where they were supposed to stop.  In the light of some of the lengths we have had to go to in the past, we are therefore delighted to announce that a contract has been issued for work to renew your markings and that the contractors have been issued with an instruction to get the work done within one month, which means that the new lines should be in place by June 1^st. It goes without saying, though, that we will continue to take an interest in the state of your carriageways and others in this vicinity.

Allderidge Avenue traffic consultation

John Fareham and John Abbott are arranging a consultation exercise, to take place in May, with regard to Allderidge Avenue traffic and parking.

Residents who decided to express an opinion on the proposals to build student accommodation on the YPI car park made frequent reference to the implications for local parking.  This suggests a possible change of stance on the part of some residents since the first suggestion of a resident parking scheme some 20 years ago.  The large-scale controlled parking zone to protect a wide area around Kelvin Hall School and Wyke College met with no public favour. We have arranged for local residents to have the option of a controlled parking scheme for Allderidge Avenue alone.  Officers of the Council will be in touch in due course to conduct the official consultation exercise but we thought it best to tell you about it ourselves beforehand so as to give you plenty of time to consider your response.

Latest on traveller policy

John Fareham and John Abbott continue to work with others for an adequate official response to future traveller incursions on Bricknell Estate.

West Area Committee – where others from different parties have also been having issues with travellers – made a referral to Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Commission suggesting that the timings taken to deal with the next few traveller incursions be recorded and compared.  This we approve of – Wyke Area Team’s officers moved rapidly last year, but it would not be in the interest of any area to have it thought that the response there was any less rapid, and there’s nothing like peer pressure.  That said, it also came to light that a flowchart detailing the police and officer response to future traveller incursions was due to come to Wyke Area Committee and other Council bodies in the near future but had been pulled so that it could be checked for legality.  We were, however, also able to advise our West Area colleagues that last time the travellers turned up our legal position had been strengthened by their forcing the locks on the Aneurin Bevan Lodge site and that the same principle – traveller damage equals easier win in court – could be put to work elsewhere.

Ancaster Avenue wheelie-bin collection

John Fareham and John Abbott report that a change in dustbin collection arrangements for Ancaster Avenue is under consideration in order to prevent dustcarts damaging tenfoots.

We have been receiving complaints from some local residents that, however lightweight a vehicle the corporate centre sends to empty dustbins from the rear of local residents’ homes, it is still too heavy not to damage the tenfoots.  We are therefore in discussions with the officers about whether the solution to this might be refuse collection from the front of local residents’ homes and we would actively welcome any comments local residents may have as to whether or not they like the proposed collection of wheelie-bins from the front of their properties.  We are also insisting that officers, who have already encountered similar problems elsewhere in the city, hold off on writing to you giving you two weeks’ notice of the change in order that residents may have the opportunity to tell us what they think.  The officers work for you, not the other way round, and this is one instance where they may need to be reminded.

Goddard Avenue potholes

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured repairs to potholes on Goddard Avenue adjoining Jack Kaye Walk and at the entrance to The Woodlands.

For all that some of these potholes were technically just outside our ward, we nevertheless decided, when local residents drew the matter to our attention to pass the matter on to the officers with a request that, in the interest of residents in our ward as well as that of Newland Ward next door, something be done about the potholes. We were therefore delighted to hear from one of our original sources on this matter that they had actually seen repair work being carried out. It goes without saying, however, that we will stand ready to assist with any further potholes that occur within our own ward.

Murrayfield Road and Southfield Road land

John Fareham and John Abbott have the latest information on the proposal to transfer land between Murrayfield Road and Southfield Road to local residents.

As of April 4^th some 21 householders had yet to reply one way or the other to NPS’s offer. We now understand NPS have written to all those households giving them two weeks to reply.  In the meantime arrangements have been put in place for a more accurate land survey to be undertaken so that the Council knows exactly which bit of land is being transferred to which property.  This work is currently pencilled in to take place in April.  It goes without saying that if there are any further details to pass on to local residents we will make sure we do just that.

YPI tribute band festival

John Fareham and John Abbott understand that the YPI grounds will be the venue for a tribute-band rock festival on the afternoon and evening of Saturday 17^th August if a licensing application submitted to the Council is approved.

A licensing application has been submitted by a company called Fake Festivals, who have already organised events involving tribute bands in other locations including Driffield.  This asks for permission to set up marquees, allow dancing and permit the sale of alcohol, on the date of the event only, from noon until midnight.  Such one-shot licensing applications are common practice for special events and the applicants, who propose to hold this event on an annual basis, have undertaken to give the Council, in its capacity as the licensing authority, three months’ notice of their intention to repeat the process.

Jack Kaye Walk tree trimming

John Fareham and John Abbott have arranged for the pruning of trees on Jack Kaye Walk that were blocking the light from street lights.

We were informed by local residents that the trees there, between Goddard Avenue and Ella Street, were sufficiently luxuriant to block out the light from the lamp standards.  We arranged for the trees to be pruned in the interests of public safety – nobody wants cyclists to have a collision in the dark or pedestrians to feel like this is an unsafe route.  It goes without saying that we will continue to keep this matter under advisement and will act again if the trees get too overgrown again.

Bricknell Avenue betting shop approved

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the application to open a betting shop on Bricknell Avenue was approved by the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee.

The legal framework under which licensing applications are considered is still that which was passed by the previous Labour Government in 2003 and was still in place when the Coalition Government took office in 2010.  This creates a more prescriptive framework in favour of the passing of such applications than applies to applications for pub or off-licence premises. Various parties including a local head-teacher wrote in to object but under the rules – and over John’s strenuous objections as a member of the sub-committee – they were ruled not to be applicable under the legal framework. The application was passed with a rider that the shop be allowed to open at once and not have to wait for the usual time to allow for the appeals.

YPI planning appeal - contact details

John Fareham and John Abbott report that an appeal has been submitted against the Council’s decision last year to refuse planning permission for 61 student flats on the former YPI car park.

Those who have already submitted comments on this matter need not do so again – the Council will already have forwarded these to the Planning Inspectorate.  However, as the applicant has opted for a written appeal process, if you haven’t said anything so far, or if you feel the need to expand on what you have already said, you can have your say in the appeal process by writing to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/13, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN, E-mailing teamp3@pins.gsi.gov.uk or calling the Planning Inspectorate’s case officer on 0303-444 5632.  The case reference number is APP/V2004/A/13/2191393 which should be quoted whichever of these means of communication you choose. Any new comments should be submitted in time to reach the Planning Inspectorate by 17 April 2013. Local residents may also wish to consider whether the new National Planning Policy Framework is applicable given that the original decision was taken before it came in.

Chanterlands Avenue pigeon problem resolved

John Fareham and John Abbott report that anti-pigeon measures at the Chanterlands Avenue railway bridge have been agreed between the Council and Network Rail and will be installed in May 2013.

The squabbling between the officers and Network Rail over whose job it was to keep noisy feral birds off this bridge has been resolved and the Council will be carrying out the necessary pigeon proofing in May this year. This follows prolonged pressure on the part of John and myself and repeated requests from local residents for action on the noise and mess caused by feral pigeons. The problem is of course not unique to this bridge but we will be glad to support others who follow our lead in sparing other local residents the same irritation should the pigeons in question decide to go and haunt another neighbourhood with a bridge in it.

Travellers and Bricknell Estate again

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to ensure a proper police response to any future traveller incursions on Bricknell Estate.

At a recent meeting of the Council’s Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Commission, police officers were questioned on their attitude to traveller incursions.  They seemed to view the matter more as one of traffic control than as one of unlawful nuisance  to local residents and one even had the temerity to suggest that the comings and goings of travellers would in time come to be as familiar and accepted as the arrival of fairground equipment for Hull Fair.  We have therefore raised our concerns about this with Matthew Grove, the Humberside Police Commissioner, in the hope that he may be able to ensure that officers keep officers and members in the loop and take seriously the concerns of councillors of all parties, from all the wards across the city affected by traveller incursions, who have addressed local concerns about this source of noise and other forms of nuisance.

East Riding electricity maintenance work

John Fareham and John Abbott have details of an East Riding Council diversion being made to allow for electrical works which is likely to affect residents of Bricknell Avenue and Cottingham Road.

In order for important electricity maintenance work to be carried out, a temporary traffic-regulation order is diverting traffic from New Village Road in Cottingham via Endyke Lane, Hall Road, Cottingham Road and Hull Road, Cottingham.  The diversion began on March 25th and will last as long as the works are going on.  Local residents who want more information than this should ring East Riding Council on 0845 6001666.

Bricknell Avenue Tesco delivery problems

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to resolve problems with noise resulting from early deliveries to Tesco Express on Bricknell Avenue at hours not permitted by their planning conditions.

We have been receiving a number of detailed accounts from local residents citing exact times when stock has been delivered to this particular store contrary to the conditions imposed when planning permission to build the store was granted in 2006.  John and I have therefore raised this matter with the officers who have since contacted the manager of the store to ask that they abide by the rules.  Needless to say we will pass on any further reports of problems to the relevant officers; residents of Fairfax Avenue who recall our campaign to get a takeaway there to abide by its correct opening hours will be aware that we are not afraid to seek enforcement action against business premises that break the conditions under which they are allowed to operate.

Cottingham Road McDonalds opening hours

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the planning application to extend the opening hours of the McDonalds on Cottingham Road has been approved by the Council’s Planning Committee.

The officers’ report to Committee detailed the comments submitted by various parties – ten objections were received from members of the public citing litter problems, noise, setting precedents for such food outlets as the Goodfellowship, vermin problems and other such issues.  The officers nevertheless recommended acceptance on the basis that the hours would not bother the public and that certain conditions relating to bins staying in place, the public not being allowed on site outside trading hours and deliveries only being allowed between 8 am and 10 pm could and should be imposed.  The Committee agreed to the recommendation and passed it by 8 votes to 3 with one University Ward councillor adamant that their residents wanted it. John Fareham was however able to get the Committee to agree that, if existing 2001 conditions on the original planning approval were not clear as to the hours of McDonalds’ litter patrol, the conditions should be clarified and updated to correspond with the new opening hours.

Cottingham Road litter clearing

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings that serious steps will be taken to clear the D-shaped open space on Cottingham Road, adjoining the roundabout, of beverage containers and other litter.

Whilst passing nearby we noticed that this small but important open space had again become a target for those who cannot or will not dispose of their litter in an appropriate manner.  We therefore contacted the officers to ask that something be done about this. They have now replied to the effect they would arrange for one of the Council’s cleansing crews to give the matter some focussed attention over the next few days.  Whilst we are grateful for this, however, we are also aware that the problem may recur and stand ready to report it again if and when the mess once more gets out of hand.

Cottingham Road litter clearing

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings that serious steps will be taken to clear the D-shaped open space on Cottingham Road, adjoining the roundabout, of beverage containers and other litter.

Whilst passing nearby we noticed that this small but important open space had again become a target for those who cannot or will not dispose of their litter in an appropriate manner.  We therefore contacted the officers to ask that something be done about this. They have now replied to the effect they would arrange for one of the Council’s cleansing crews to give the matter some focussed attention over the next few days.  Whilst we are grateful for this, however, we are also aware that the problem may recur and stand ready to report it again if and when the mess once more gets out of hand.

Wyke College extension application

John Fareham and John Abbott report that a planning application has been submitted for a two-storey extension to Wyke College premises.

Details of the application are now available on the Council website.  The College’s intention in having an extra building is to replace mobile classrooms being used for PE with proper facilities, to have decent science labs equal in facilities to the rest of the college, to have an open space for dance, performing arts and drama classes, and to have two spare classrooms ready for future increases in numbers.  Local residents wishing to express an opinion for or against the application may do so via the usual channels - – E-mails to dev.control@hullcc.gov.uk or letters to Planning Services, Kingston House, Bond Street, Hull, HU1 3ER. The application number to quote is 13/00127/FULL and comments should be submitted as soon as possible.

Over-50s exercise scheme

John Fareham and John Abbott have details of a proposed exercise scheme for the over-50s to be rolled out at a number of locations including Commonwealth Homes.

 At the time of writing the officers were still working out the internal arrangements to get the scheme going, but the idea is simple enough – a 12-week introductory programme to get residents to take up mental and physical exercise, after which the equipment provided for each location will stay there.  The project is set up in the belief that giving the mind and body something worthwhile to do is beneficial even after one has stopped working, and as soon as we have the start date we will of course let residents know.  It goes without saying, of course, that participation in the scheme will be wholly voluntary and nobody will have to take part if they aren’t well enough or just don’t want to.

Wet fish van application refused

John Fareham and John Abbott report that Hull City Council’s Licensing Committee have refused an application for a wet fish van to serve, amongst others, Newland Park, Barrington Avenue and Chanterlands Avenue North.

John Fareham objected in advance to this application as he felt that, in terms of the traffic regulations, neither Newland Park nor Barrington Avenue was a suitable place in terms of traffic and parking to station such a vehicle and that Chanterlands Avenue North would be an unsuitable location in terms of proximity to the cemetery. John Abbott as a member of Licensing Committee spelt out what this meant in more detail, on the assumption not all members of the Committee would be fully familiar with the area, and – noting that more clarity was required as to where exactly the wet fish van would be serving – the Committee agreed to refuse the application.

Hotham Road North potholes

John Fareham and John Abbott have arranged for work to be carried out to deal with Hotham Road North potholes.

Having been contacted about this matter by various local residents, we both contacted the officers to ask that something be done and furnished photographic evidence of the scale and nature of the problem. As the result of our efforts the work has now been completed.  It goes without saying that we will act on any further reports of carriageway damage—after all, as we have recently seen, the winter weather may not be over yet and snow and ice are not good for road surfaces.

Bricknell Avenue betting shop

John Fareham and John Abbott have details of a licensing application for a bookmakers’ shop to be sited among the Bricknell Avenue shops.

An application was submitted on 1^st February for a betting shop at 270 Bricknell Avenue by Cottingham-based bookmakers Betstead Ltd. The deadline for submitting comments has now passed. It will be heard by a sub-committee of the Licensing Committee at 10 am on March 26^th.