Six-month conservation work to city gateway begins

Stonemasons will spend up to six months restoring a leaking medieval city gateway, a council has said.

Bootham Bar, which sits on the site of a gateway to York's Roman legionary fortress, is one of four fortified gateways along the two-mile (3.4km) city walls which encircle the city.

Restoration work starting on Monday would include preserving the lead and timber covering the structure's roof, City of York Council said.

A road closure will be in place at the High Petergate section of the walls, with access provided for pedestrians and cyclists who dismount.

The Bootham Bar archway dates from the 11th century, and was heightened in the 14th century.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, executive member at City of York Council, said: "We're one of only few of local authorities with an in-house stonemason's team."

He said over the next few months craftsmen would be "applying their skills to Bootham Bar", which had been "leaking intermittently".

The work would "maintain the ancient gateway and preserve our medieval walls for generations to come", he added.

A diversion will be in place via Duncombe Place, with access provided to the section of road which runs through Bootham Bar to allow deliveries to local businesses, according to the council.

A spokesperson said a temporary ramp would be in place for those using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

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