FEARS have been expressed about the short timescale of the consultation period permitted by City of York Council on traffic management proposals for Heslington.
However, further worries are being raised by the nature and design of the consultation process itself.
These seriously question its validity for these reasons:
The data presented in the document are so lacking in context as to be misleading and do not agree with previously published figures.
It is impossible to make a fully-informed decision from the information presented. When I raised this issue at the display in Fulford I was told by the council representative who attended that "a survey must have been done".
However, he did not know anything about it and there was no inspection copy available on the day. I registered a request to see the survey but, so far, have heard nothing from the council.
The consultation has a strong in-built bias in favour of Option C, which proposes the use of an intelligent bollard. Coincidentally, the only additional information presented at the council display concerned the rising bollards already operating in York.
The response sheet makes no provision for residents to reject all four options and/or request planners to re-examine the issue. Neither does it provide for residents to express their own ideas.
These shortcomings ensure that, from the outset, this consultation is incapable of fulfilling its intended purpose.
Why is the council so anxious to rush through proposals which will have such enormous long-term effects on the communities concerned? A more considered, less hasty consultation is vital.
W H Telfer,
Yarburgh Way,
Badger Hill, York.
...FURTHER to the concerns of Coun Steve Kenwright about the limited distribution, and indeed, contents, of the Heslington Lane traffic options document (April 23), I was very concerned to see the notices for the forthcoming Fulford and Heslington wards committee on April 27, and advertising the roadshow of April 13, were not delivered to a large part of Fulford until late last week.
This was far too late for the event.
Residents are entitled to expect to be consulted on important local matters, but the evidence so far is that consultation is being rushed and is inadequate.
Alan Smith
Fordlands Road,
Fulford, York.
Updated: 09:57 Friday, April 30, 2004
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