Kelvin Hall School flooding

Your local Conservative Councillors JOHN FAREHAM and JOHN ABBOTT are working to resolve problems with potential flooding from Kelvin School playing fields.

During the latest of our pioneering and trail-blazing mobile bus forums on December 12^th local residents brought to our notice concerns regarding the part of the school grounds where construction vehicles had been parked. This was, they said, compressed enough for rainwater to gather there and not drain away, which could lead to flooding if the rain were to be heavy enough. We have therefore contacted the officers and asked them to take the matter in hand as it could have serious implications both for local residents and the Council.  It goes without saying that we will continue to work on this issue until a solution is in place. We expect to be hearing from the developers soon and we are grateful to the school for their co-operation in this matter.

YPI floodlight enforcement

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured further action on the YPI leaving their floodlights on too long.

Having received complaints from local residents that the YPI were at it again with their floodlights after the time the planning conditions said they had to be switched off, complaints which were accompanied by detailed timings, we raised the matter on their behalf with the enforcement officers.  They replied to the effect they had written to the YPI to remind them of the planning conditions relating to the use of the floodlights and that a continuing breach of those conditions would leave them open to formal enforcement action.  We will of course be happy to hear again from anyone who thinks these lights are on too long and will pass the information on to the officers. Meanwhile the officers will also be inspecting the site themselves as staff time permits.

Bricknell Avenue central reservation

John Fareham and John Abbott have secured undertakings that damage to the Bricknell Avenue central reservation caused by recent contractor workings will be attended to.

In the course of delivering the September-October issue of CONTACT! we noticed that the grass verges were getting chewed up by contractors’ vehicles as a consequence of the recent road works.  We therefore referred the matter to the officers who say that the issue has been passed on to those concerned to ensure that when the road works are finished reinstatement works will be carried out.  It goes without saying that we will continue to take an interest in these verges and  that we will continue to keep an eye on progress until all is well.

Newland Park resurfacing update

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the resurfacing of Newland Park was due to commence on November 26th.

Some have commented about the seemingly long period of no parking. These works were originally to have been undertaken in October but the officers felt the weather then was unsuitable for resurfacing.  One would have thought there was a better chance of getting suitable weather in October than in November – but the work is now due to go ahead and we will of course stand ready to assist local residents should there be any issues arising out of the manner in which the work is being carried out. We authorised these works from funds under our local control a while ago and they have taken a while to come through but weather may still delay them.

Aneurin Bevan Lodge travellers

John Fareham and John Abbott have been told they have secured the removal of the unauthorised traveller encampment on the former Aneurin Bevan Lodge site on Hotham Road North.

Having been tipped off by local residents that they were arriving, we went to see for ourselves. We found several caravans already on site with the accompanying towing vehicles and a petrol generator already in use.  Others were expected to arrive and indeed arrived later. We  therefore  notified the police, since the travellers appear to have gained entry to the site by force, and  notified officers of the Council. We were told the necessary steps would be taken to get court action to shift the travellers. On the evening following their arrival, the travellers were served with Section 77 notices to leave by 9 am Monday morning. If they haven’t gone by then, the Council will go back to court to ask for permission to evict them. In the longer term it is of course for our local MP to press for improved powers to deal with such situations as this.

County Road flyover - reopening date

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the County Road North flyover will reopen on Monday October 15^th.

The original date for reopening was to have been November 11th, but now that the officers think that enough work has been done to make the bridge safe they have, as we previously reported, been looking at ways of doing the rest of the work while the flyover reopens. There will however be temporary traffic lights to ensure the safety of those continuing to work on the underside of the bridge by guaranteeing controlled two-way traffic.  We thought it a good idea to pass on this information as soon as possible, as we know these works have been a problem for local residents, but at least now there is light at the end of the tunnel.

County Road flyover reopening

John Fareham and John Abbott have news regarding the likely reopening date of County Road North being earlier than at first anticipated.

We have had concerns about the duration of the work and the effect on traffic raised by local residents and even by our colleagues across the Hull-Cottingham boundary. We are therefore pleased to announce that we have been told by the officers that the damaged concrete has now been removed from the flyover. This not only gave the engineers a rough idea of how much work needed to be done but also ideas as to how, albeit at increased cost, they could arrange for some of the repairs to be done with the bridge re-opened to traffic.  As a result the flyover is expected to be open to traffic again by around 13/14 October.