Deteriorating section of York's city walls to be restored in February

City of York Council, who manage the walls, have consulted with Historic England over the condition of the Station Road inbound traffic arch on Station Avenue ahead of repairs.

The council's own stonemasons will undertake the work.

The structure itself is not that old - the original arch was built to accommodate railway lines in Victorian times, but was demolished and replaced in the 1960s.

City of York Council leader Coun Keith Aspden said: “York’s city walls are the most complete and finest in England, making them one of our most treasured historical assets. That is why it is incredibly important that we continue to maintain and repair the walls, so we can all enjoy them for many years to come.”

“The original walls were built by the Romans in 71AD and by carrying out this project, we will be able to conserve this key part of York’s historic environment, civic identity and cultural offering. So this is a really important conservation scheme to protect an internationally important scheduled monument.”

City walls manager Dr Louisa Hood added: “The city walls road arch on Station Avenue is one of five arches between Toft’s Tower and Barker Tower cut through the city walls in the nineteenth century to accommodate York’s railway infrastructure. In 1909, the arch was made higher and wider before being completely demolished and rebuilt with steel, concrete and stone cladding in 1965-66.

“Carrying out conservation work on the city’s walls is an essential part of the team’s role and something we’re all really proud to be involved with. This scheme will see our stonemasons replacing worn and damaged stone cladding but also creating something a little different - a new active water management system to help slow further decay.”

During the works, a short section of the city wall walkway, between the Station Road exit and the Lendal Bridge exit, will be closed, starting mid-February and continuing through March.

The carriageway and footway below the arch will be subject to partial overnight closures.