Now Private Eye magazine highlights scale of muddle over York Council grass cutting policies.

Seems the York Council is being criticised from all sides with even Private Eye magazine taking time to comment on another bizarre mistake.

It seems that Council – or more likely one of its contractors – has cut a wildflower verge just as the carefully cultivated plants were beginning to bloom.

Something similar happened in Foxwood, where the Council failed to cut the Foxwood Park wildflower meadow in the spring. Without regular maitenance the wildflowers have little chance of getting established.

A request, for a 1 metre wide footpath to be cut round the perimeter of the madow, has also been ignored. The path would have allowed park users to avoid trampling down the wildflowers.

Elsewhere residents have criticised the Council for failing to cut back hazadous weeds on public footpaths (see below).

The Council claims that its new “no cut” policies are aiding biodiversty.

In reality, the reverse is the case. Dominant weeds like nettes are smothering the very types of flowers which are most important for pollinators.

Those currently in charge seem to have honed their environmental credentials from the most cursory use of Google search.

Getting the balance of nature right is complicated. It is also expensive and not something therefore that the Council leadership are likely to embrace with any enthusiasm

Adding insult to injury, the Council are currently bombarding social media with”Get York Buzzing” propaganda messages. They show a staggering lack of self awareness

Earlier: Is this a record? Examples of poor public service standards in – York 6th June 2024

2 metre high thistle on residential verge in Kingsway West.

Potentially hazardous weeds like these are supposed to be treated by the York Council, but the strimmg and weed control programme has been chaotic this year

There are many other examples of poor maintenance standards around the City

Westfield

Osbaldwick

Westfield

Westfield

Lowfield Green

Rawcliffe – cycle access obstructed

Holgate weeds

Westfield weeds

Holgate verges uncut

Mixed news on keeping cycle paths open near York

Sustrans workers were out yesterday keeping the York – Selby cycle track near Escrick sidings open. A tree that was in danger of falling was being cut back. Generally Sustrans do a good job in maintaining the cycle tracks that they are responsible for.

Elsewhere the cycle track on Tadcaster Road, from Askham Bogs to the Pike Hills golf course, is already obstructed by overgrowth.

We know from previous years that undergrowth will make the cycle path unuseable within a few weeks unless the York Council mows the margins.

There has been no mowing this year

Cycle ;path obstructions July 2023

Cycle path May 2024

Mixed messages from York Council on cycling

The Council is using social media to promote cycling as a way to get to work when the lock-down ends. Many workplaces, offices and shops are expected to reopen during the next fortnight, putting added pressure on a compromised public transport system.

Cycling – particularly at this time of year – may be an option for some people.

But there is little evidence that the Council is addressing everyday barriers to cycling

These days foot-pads aren’t the biggest threat.

The contraflow cycle lane installed on Bishopthorpe Road is an unnecessary hazard. Inexperienced cyclists trying to use it may indeed be intimidated, making them more likely to use other transport modes. (There is an alternative, quiet, route via Vine Street)

Meanwhile on the Tadcaster Road cycle path “social distancing” signs have appeared near the railway bridge. Fair enough, if a problem has been identified. Clearly more families are now walking or cycling to the Askham Bog nature reserve although social distancing on that site is also problematic.

Social distancing signs

Yet scarcely 300 metres further along the cycle path, its width is now reduced to less than 1 metre. Overhanging branches and weed growth are to blame (the weeds are actually now breaking up the bitmac surface) ..

A relatively easy issue to deal with but, despite reports to the Council, no work has been undertaken.

Cycle track obstructed.

Better news further down Tadcaster Road with highway resurfacing works now ahead of schedule. The smoother carriageway surface is much safer for users of 2 wheeled transport.

Tadcaster Road resurfacing due to be completed by 12th June