Consultation – A64 between Hopgrove and Barton-le-Willows

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Letter from National Highways

We have received a letter dated from National Highways regarding the A64 between the Hopgrove junction and Barton-le-Willows inviting feedback on issues relating to this section of the A64.

There is also advance notice of road works between Claxton and Barr Lane (Stockton on the Forest) taking place between 1st November 2021 and 4th December 2021.

Letter Content

Dear Parish Clerk,

I am writing to introduce myself and provide you with a few updates on the work we are doing to develop the A64 between Hopgrove junction and Barton-le-Willows. The A64 Hopgrove Scheme is one of 32 pipeline schemes the government has asked National Highways to consider as part of their third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). There is no commitment from government to develop this scheme beyond this current stage. However, we’re currently developing options by engaging with our stakeholders and carrying out more research.

We’d like your help gathering feedback.

Between Monday 25th October and Sunday 21st November 2021, National Highways will be asking the public to provide their feedback about the A64 between Hopgrove junction and Barton-le-Willows.

Feedback can be provided on a range of issues affecting the route. We will also seek to understand how any future changes to the road could improve livelihoods and quality of life, and help to address concerns about congestion, environmental issues, and safety.

The feedback we get from this engagement with our customers will help us better understand the local context and current issues around the A64 and help us present a case for future improvement to the Department for Transport.

To encourage our customers to contribute their views, a press release will be issued to the local media on Monday and we’ll also be using social media, putting up posters and sending postcards to approximately 10,000 households and businesses near the route, including residents in your parish. I’d be grateful if you could share this letter and poster with your colleagues and residents as we are keen to include the views of as many stakeholders as possible. A copy of the poster and postcard are attached.

To access the feedback form, visit our website at:

www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a64hopgrove or scan the QR code on the attached poster and postcard.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact us at or call us on 0300 123 5000.

A64 Hopgrove poster

A64 Hopgrove resident postcard

Upcoming resurfacing work

Please be aware that (evening and overnight) resurfacing work is scheduled to take place on the A64 between Barr Lane and Claxton from 1st November to 4th December 2021. We are not seeking feedback about the resurfacing work as part of this engagement, but for more information please visit:

www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/a64-improvements.

Thank you in advance for sharing this information with other interested parties and we look forward to receiving your feedback.

Yours sincerely
Jim Brown
Project Manager
National Highways

Bilsdale TV Transmitter – Launch of voucher scheme

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Please find below and attached information that we have been asked to circulate by North Yorkshire County Council.

Arqiva, the company who own and operate the TV transmitter at Bilsdale, will be writing shortly to every household in areas that still can’t receive TV, setting out how people can request a voucher that will enable them to purchase a TV streaming device to watch free to view TV via wifi and broadband.

If people need extra assistance or don’t have Wi-Fi and broadband, they should call Arqiva on 0800 121 4828 and ask about other options, including engineer support via their Home Support scheme.

More information can be found in the attached document:  181021 – Bilsdale voucher offer update – FINAL

Neighbourhood Watch – Bogus Police Officer Fraud

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In recent days, North Yorkshire Police have received reports of phone calls being made by fraudsters impersonating police officers. The intended victim is called by someone claiming to be a police officer. A name used in two recent calls was DC Thomas Daniels from Paddington Police Station informing the victim that they had arrested a person in London using the victim’s bank card. The victim is instructed to go to their bank and withdraw all their money from their account. They are told a police officer will attend their home address to collect the money once it has been withdrawn for safekeeping. The victim is told to lie to the bank if they are challenged as to why they are wanting to withdraw such a large quantity in cash.

This is of course a scam and one we have seen many times in North Yorkshire.
Remember:

  1. The police or bank will NEVER ask you to withdraw or transfer money to a ‘safe’ account set up by the police or bank.
  2. If you are ever told to lie to the bank as to why you are doing a particular transaction, it is a scam.
  3. Criminals can ‘spoof’ telephone numbers so the number that appears on your phone could be the same number that is on your bank card
  4. If you are in doubt, terminate the call immediately.
  5. Call 101

Message Sent By

Andy Fox (Police,Financial Abuse safeguarding Officer,North Yorkshire)

Bilsdale Mast and lack of TV Services

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Information from North Yorkshire County Council

Many residents in Yorkshire have been unable to watch TV since August.  North Yorkshire County Council has been pushing Arqiva, the owner and operator of the mast at Bilsdale, to restart TV transmissions as soon as possible, to improve their communications with residents, to provide additional help to vulnerable people, and to provide a suitable alternative where the normal TV signal cannot be restored in the short term.

Arqiva has confirmed that the new 80-metre temporary TV transmitter mast at Bilsdale has been switched on.  This should restore TV services to approximately 95% of households.

Arqiva has advised that this means that viewers will now need to retune their TVs and a guide on how to do this can be found at http://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/retune-instructions.

Arqiva is aware that the some households (about 5%) still won’t be able to receive a TV signal.  Arqiva has set up a Help and Support Scheme for everyone affected.  This will initially prioritise people over 65, the clinically vulnerable, and other vulnerable people with carers.  People in these priority groups are encouraged to contact the Bilsdale Project Restore Support Line on Freephone number 0800 121 4828.  Engineers will be scheduled to visit people who need help retuning TVs or having an aerial repointed.  Residents, or people caring for someone in an affected area, can also fill out the Helpline Form at www.bilsdalemast.co.uk to request assistance.

Households in the “not-spot” areas where services aren’t restored by the switch on will receive a voucher which can be redeemed in store or online.  This will be included in a letter which will be sent by Arqiva to residents in due course.  The value covers the cost of an alternative fix from a range of products providing ways to receive free to air TV.

Attached is a set of maps (by parliamentary constituency and local authority) that show the areas that are potentially unable to receive a TV signal.  Also attached is a stakeholder toolkit produced by Arqiva.

Arqiva – Bilsdale Mast – Stakeholder Pack – Maps  Note that Page 13 of the map pack references potential issues in post code YO60 7.

Arqiva – Bilsdale Mast – Stakeholder Pack

Arqiva is seeking to communicate directly with residents, but has asked that we and other partners help by sharing the key messages.  Please will you also share the information and key messages through your networks:

  • Most people will now be able to receive TV but will need to retune their TVs and a guide on how to do this can be found at http://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/retune-instructions.
  • Arqiva has set up a Help and Support Scheme for everyone affected.  This will initially prioritise people over 65, the clinically vulnerable, and other vulnerable people with carers.  People in these priority groups are encouraged to contact the Bilsdale Project Restore Support Line on Freephone number 0800 121 4828.  Engineers will be scheduled to visit people who need help retuning TVs or having an aerial repointed.  Residents, or people caring for someone in an affected area, can also fill out the Helpline Form at www.bilsdalemast.co.uk to request assistance.
  • Households in the “not-spot” areas where services aren’t restored by the switch on will receive a voucher which can be redeemed in store or online.  This will be included in a letter which will be sent by Arqiva to residents in due course.  The value covers the cost of an alternative fix from a range of products providing ways to receive free to air TV.