Royal entrance to shut in £1.5m work on medieval walls

THE ROYAL entrance to York will be closed to traffic as part of a £1.5m restoration scheme to protect the medieval city walls.

Road closures will be enforced at Micklegate to allow the restorations to be carried out to the section of the Grade I-listed walls as part of a wider £1.5m conservation scheme, prompting concerns from traders over the impact on their businesses.

However, officials from York Council have held talks with the owners of businesses and stressed every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

Shelagh Garside, the chair of the Micklegate Traders’ Association, said: “As a trader on Micklegate, I am of course concerned about the street closing during the work that is needed to repair the Micklegate Bar, but after having meetings with the council regarding this.

“I understand that this work to our fabulous gate is essential and if we are to preserve it for future generations then this needs to be done now.”

The phased work will begin on June 12 for three weeks, before a second stage is carried out from July 24 until September 29. A final phase of work to dismanlte scaffolding will take place from October 2 to 22.

The historic gateway of Mickegate Bar has been used for Royal visits since 1212 and involves a centuries-old tradition during which the serving monarch officially asks for permission to enter York.