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.