A key street in York city centre is being closed to traffic tonight – and could be shut for months.
Low Petergate is being fenced off this evening (Friday) after structural problems were uncovered in one of the street’s buildings.
The fault is with number 71 Low Petergate.
The ground floor of the three-storey Grade II listed building is now empty, but used to be home to Crew Clothing.
A large piece of the exterior masonry has been patched up.
There is no immediate danger to the public, but the closure is seen as a necessary precaution.
The one-way street will be closed to through traffic. Pedestrians will still be able to get through via the pavement on the far side of the street from number 71.
Clearly there will be concerns about deliveries to Low Petergate businesses.
YorkMix has been told that City of York Council has drawn up a traffic management plan.
Traffic marshals will be stationed at both ends of Low Petergate. Delivery drivers will be able to drive along the street up to the fencing, and then go back the way they came.
It will mean significant disruption to businesses both on Low Petergate and the side streets off it in the run-up to Christmas.
Scaffolding is being brought in shortly to cover the affected building. No exact timetable for the repairs has been drawn up – the serious structural fault has only just been discovered.
The York BID (Business Improvement District) is trying to get more details about the traffic management plan so it can clarify the situation to affected businesses.
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