Shifting the columns of history during landmark’s preservation

Uplifting: Archaeologist John Oxley looks at the hydraulic jacks that are being used on Walmgate Bar. Picture: Gary Longbottom

Walmgate Bar walls, which date back to the medieval era, are undergoing conservation works and yesterday the rear extension at Walmgate Bar was lifted up slightly – by a third of an inch- using a sophisticated jacking system to allow work to be carried out to the stone columns.

The Bar is the most complete of the four gateways in York and the walls themselves are the best example of medieval city walls still standing in England today, which over a million people walk across every year.

York Council is spending £100,000 to preserve and protect Walmgate Bar walls.

Originally built as defences, the focus is now on conservation and the council is working with Historic England to carry out a series of improvements to Walmgate Bar to help preserve over 1,900 years of history.

Walmgate Bar is a gatehouse to the city and is the only gateway to still have its barbican, portcullis and wooden inner doors.

Works to restore these and other significant parts of the gatehouse started last year. The works include putting in place a system which will support the timber-framed extension should either or both columns be struck by a vehicle and repair works to the roof and the windows.