Cllr Chris Steward, ward councillor for Copmanthorpe, is continuing to work to try and cut lorry numbers coming through the village. This has been a problem since October when City of York Council concerns about Appleton Road Bridge in Bishopthorpe saw a temporary weight restriction imposed.
Earlier this month a meeting was held between Cllr Steward and the chair and vice chair of Copmanthorpe Parish Council, and Cllr Pete Kilbane (Executive Member for Transport and Highways) and City of York Council highways officers.
It remains a real problem for most people in the village with the amount of lorries coming through now, whether on the likes of Temple Lane, where there is no footpath or more centrally in the village on tight corners like Manor Heath / Station Road. There are no quick or easy solutions but items discussed included:
1. The timeline for getting the Bishopthorpe bridge fixed and what can be done to shorten that and ensure there are no funding issues. Officers said they would look into whether it may be possible to open one lane of the bridge to heavy vehicles, likely with traffic lights given drivers cannot see over it. The meeting also discussed the likely strengthening needed and how that could be done.
2. More signage on the likes of Temple Lane for matters like speed. 30mph repeaters are not possible due to legislation, but can hopefully get a larger 30mph sign (stood up straight!) and possibly 'Slow down' road markings and pedestrians warning signs. The meeting also discussed the possibility of more 20mph zones (whether in the short-term or longer) and whether there can be vehicle activated speed signs - possibly on Manor Heath and Temple Lane. On speed generally if people are concerned they should report it to the police and the likes of 95 Alive.
3. The medium term planning and more so Traffic Commissioner issues of how businesses are able to operate where they have to go through rural villages, rather than being near motorways and A roads. This was one issue in particular where CYC officers will help as they don't feel the Traffic Commissioner (a national organisation) has been fair in saying the powers they may have.
4. The lack of a footpath on Temple Lane was another key problem that we discussed. This will not be sorted in the short-term but I am keen to see it. The lack of a footpath heightens the need for the lorries issue to be resolved.
Cllr Steward said
This is a very frustrating situation though we must deal with things based on laws relating to matters like highways, which are not how many of us wish they were. I continue to work with the city council and Parish Council, although it is very much the former that is the decision making body. For me, every day that lorries go through the village is a real safety concern and we need the Bishopthorpe bridge reopened as soon as possible. However in my view the haulage companies based at Acaster are simply in the wrong location and this needs dealing with in the medium term
Any residents wishing to discuss the issue further can contact Cllr Steward at [email protected]
