Badger Hill joins in Smarter York Big Clean

On Saturday 28th March, your Hull Road Labour candidates, Neil Barnes, David Levene and Hilary Shepherd, joined local residents and members of the Badger Hill Residents Community Group for a litter pick across the estate.

This was as part of the City of York Council's annual Smarter York Big Clean.

Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd and David Levene (2nd, 3rd and 4th from left)
with Badger Hill residents before the litter pick.

Neil, David and Hilary had a good time out with local volunteers and Neil eventually took six full bags of litter to the James Street household waste centre - a great result!

The Badger Hill Residents Community Group are an apolitical organisation who have been very active across the estate over many years. They've been an immensely useful local resource for Hull Road councillors, providing great insight into local issue.

Burlington Avenue set for resurfacing works

Following the recent carriageway resurfacing of Crossways in Badger Hill and the reconstruction of the road along Alcuin Avenue, we are delighted to say that Tang Hall's Burlington Avenue is next in line for resurfacing works.

City of York Council have written to residents indicating that work will begin on Monday 30th March, taking approximately 1 week to complete - with working hours during 8am and 5.30pm. There will be a temporary road closure during the works.

Some minor preparation work will also commence from Monday 16th March - with some traffic management during the hours of 5pm to 10pm, although the council anticipate any noisy works ending by 8pm.

A recent Minster FM report - featuring Hull Road Labour candidate Councillor David Levene - reveals that York has some of the best roads in the country: http://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/1550790/york-has-some-of-the-best-roads-in-the-country/

Alcuin Avenue road reconstruction works to continue

Following works carried out in 2014 to reconstruct and resurface part of Alcuin Avenue in Tang Hall, works will recommence from Monday 19th January to complete the remainder of the road.

This follows concerns from residents and subsequent local councillor action - where Neil Barnes and Fiona Fitzpatrick requested it be completed in the current financial year of the City of York Council.

The works are expected to take up to 11 weeks. A press release from City of York council stated:

"To carry out the works safely, a road closure will be necessary. A signed diversion route will operate for local and through traffic. However, the road closure will remain in place at all times (over a 24hr period) including weekends.

"Reconstruction works will be carried out in three phases working in 120 metre sections on a rolling process. Due to the nature of the works and the deep excavations taking place, it will not always be possible for residents to gain vehicular access to their properties. In these circumstances residents will need to use alternative parking.

"Bus services will be diverted via Hull Road and Fifth Avenue for the full duration of the closures. For the latest bus information call Bus Info on (01904) 551400 or visit www.itravelyork.info/buses/

"Pedestrian access will be available at all times but cyclists will have to dismount and use the footways when travelling through the affected areas.

"As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience but everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum. However, motorists should expect some delays and are advised to plan their journey accordingly.

"The works will be carried out by City of York Council who will be responsible for safety and providing pedestrian access at all times."

Residents Forum to discuss Hull Road Park

The next Hull Road Residents Forum on Monday 12th January will be largely discussing the management of Hull Road Park and its future development.

The meeting, being held at St George's Methodist Hall (Millfield Lane, YO10 3AL) and starting at 6pm, comes at the request of Hull Road councillors Neil Barnes and Fiona Fitzpatrick following concerns raised by residents and incidences of vandalism last Autumn.

Neil Barnes (centre) on a previous litter pick
in Hull Road Park with volunteers

Reductions in City of York Council budgets have led to developments in park management over the years, including the cessation of night-time locking of gates. Whilst the council is not in a position to provide locking itself, it is open to a schedule of volunteers undertaking the task themselves - if the community wishes.

The meeting on the 12th Jan will discuss this and more, with the hope of community volunteers putting themselves forward to consider improvements in the Park over the coming months - including the possibility of a 'Friends' group such as those seen in other city parks such as Rowntree Park and, more recently, West Bank Park.

Fiona and Neil have continually worked with council officers on ways to maintain the Park as a valuable community asset, this meeting being the latest step.

New Labour candidates for Hull Road

The Labour Party has selected its candidates to contest the City of York Council elections in Hull Road Ward in May 2015. The candidates will be Hilary Shepherd, Neil Barnes and David Levene.

Left to right: David Levene, Hilary Shepherd, Neil Barnes

Neil Barnes is already well known in Hull Road where he has been a councillor since 2011. David Levene is currently the councillor for Heslington Ward; part of his ward will move into Hull Road Ward next year. Hilary Shepherd, replaces Cllr Fiona Fitzpatrick who has already announced that she will stand down from the Council at the next election to return to a career in education.

Fiona Fitzpatrick commented "I have every confidence that Hull Road has an excellent team of candidates to represent residents in the ward"

Neil Barnes said "Representing Hull Road ward for the past four years is one of the most important things I've ever done. I wish to pay tribute to Fiona Fitzpatrick, who will be missed in the ward, as she has worked incredibly hard on behalf of residents and been a fantastic councillor to work alongside. However, I look forward to the opportunity to represent residents for four more years and to continue working alongside community leaders to improve the area for everyone’s benefit".

Hilary Shepherd said "I have recently retired from working for the Council. I am very keen to use my knowledge and experience to build on the work with local residents that Labour councillors have been doing in Hull Road ward for many years".

David Levene added “It has been an honour to serve Heslington for the past few years, and with boundary changes moving the majority of Heslington ward into the new Hull Road ward, I am looking forward to using what I have learnt – increasing volunteer involvement in local amenities, building better relationships between students and permanent residents, and tackling housing and transport issues near the University – for the benefit of all Hull Road residents".

Labour Councillors celebrate installation of new Field Lane bus shelter

Labour Councillors for Hull Road and Heslington wards as well as residents in Badger Hill are celebrating the installation of a new bus shelter on Field Lane, following the removal of a long-standing derelict shelter.

This follows successful local councillor action in 2013 to secure the reinstatement the well-used No. 4 bus route along Field Lane.

Residents raised the issue of the bus shelter being a long-standing eyesore at the Hull Road Community Conversation earlier this year in March – attended by Hull Road councillors Neil Barnes & Fiona Fitzpatrick alongside Council Leader James Alexander and Heslington Councillor & Cabinet Member for Transport David Levene.

Councillors Fiona Fitzpatrick and Neil Barnes give a thumbs up to new shelter

Coun. Neil Barnes said: “After successfully getting the well-used No. 4 bus route re-instated along Field Lane, the inevitable next step was to lobby the council for the installation of a brand new bus shelter. The old shelter had become an eyesore with no glass and therefore no real shelter from the elements – especially in the winter. The lobbying was a hard task as the shelter was not in the scheduled scheme of transport upgrades so we are grateful for the Cabinet Member and council transport staff for listening to our concerns and taking action.”

Coun. Fiona Fitzpatrick said: “The old shelter was of huge concern to residents and it cannot be overstated just how important one bus stop is to so many Badger Hill residents. Resident frequently raised the issue of the shelter and now that it is replaced, they are getting in touch to say how delighted they are. These small victories mean a lot to local people and to us as councillors.”

Coun. David Levene, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “I’d like to thank residents for raising the issue at the Community Conversation event. The council was able to take on board the concerns expressed by residents and local councillors and allocate extra resource for the installation of the new shelter. We hope residents of both Hull Road and Heslington wards will make good use of it and be protected from the elements.”

Tour de Tang Hall shortlisted for York Community Pride Awards!

It's been two months since the Tour de Tang Hall - so we're a little late - but Fiona and Neil are very pleased to report that it was a resounding success. The event took place on Sunday 15th June and went fantastically well. All-in-all, we'd estimate around 400 local people took part during the afternoon and the 'activity hubs' at Derwenthorpe, Hull Road Park and Tang Hall Community Centre were packed with people joining in.

Read the report from The Press: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/11279834.Hoops_a_daisy__Lord_Mayor_joins_in_fun_day_celebrations/

Councillors Neil Barnes and Fiona Fitzpatrick during the event at Hull Road Park pavilion

Since the event, Coun. Neil Barnes nominated the event for a York Community Pride Award (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/11356378.How_Tour_de_France_inspired_communities/) and following that, we were hugely proud to see it has been shortlisted for 'Community Project of the Year'!

Read more here: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/11396823.Community_Pride_finalists_announced/

This is a fantastic testament to all the local residents and community partners who came together to organise the event. It couldn't have happened without each and every one of them.

Watch Coun. Neil Barnes talking during the day (filmed by the Tang Hall Big Local project):