Micklegate Bar is undergoing a major restoration this summer – and it will mean some traffic restrictions.
City of York Council is spending £1.5 million on improvements to the ancient gateway. As a result, traffic will be stopped from passing through the bar at specific times in the coming weeks.
The scheme will replace Micklegate Bar’s roof and guttering. It will be stripped back to allow the timberwork to be replaced and stainless steel strengthening ‘shoes’ attached to roof beams.
Two new walkway gates will also be installed. This will allow the Henry VII Experience museum to remain open when the bar walls themselves are closed.
During the works both stairways will remain open giving pedestrians access onto the walls at all times.
The restrictions
The works will be carried out in three stages.
Pedestrian access will be available at all times as one footway through the bar walls will remain open throughout the scheme.
Cyclists will continue to have access along Micklegate too, although they will have to dismount at the bar itself at certain times during the works.
Diversion routes for vehicles, principally via the inner ring road, will be provided throughout the works. Access will also be available to Micklegate via Tanner Row and Toft Green at all times.
Residents and businesses will enjoy access to their properties throughout the works.
Phase one: June 12 for three weeks
Scaffolding will be put up on Micklegate Bar to allow a temporary roof to be installed.
Traffic will be barred from going through the bar itself whilst this takes place.
Drivers wishing to leave York city centre through the bar will instead be diverted at the bottom of Micklegate hill – but the rest of Micklegate will remain open up to the bar.
Pedestrian and cycle access will be available throughout this period.
Phase two: From July 24 for ten weeks
This phase is for the main works, to be carried out between July 24 and September 29 for up to ten weeks.
During this time there will be an outbound road closure only through Micklegate Bar.
This means the road will be open to inbound traffic through the bar from Blossom Street/ Nunnery Lane/ Queen Street, and via Toft Green and Tanner Row.
Cycle access will be available in both directions.
Phase three: From October 2
The final phase will be when the scaffolding is dismantled.
This is expected to be between October 2 and October 22. Traffic will not be able to go through Micklegate Bar in either direction whilst this is dismantled.
Working with traders
The council is working closely with the Micklegate Business Initiative, to keep traders informed and address their concerns.
“We’ll be installing a huge wrap on the bar to make this area look much more attractive during the works,” said the council’s head of transport Tony Clarke.
“We hope this will encourage even more pedestrians to shop down Micklegate too.”
Street food day
Shelagh Garside, chair of the Micklegate Traders’ Association, admitted she had concerns about the traffic restrictions.
“But after having meetings with the council regarding this, I understand that this work to our fabulous gate is essentia.
“And if we are to preserve it for future generations then this needs to be done now.”
Shelagh, who owns Curtain Up, said they were using the work to trial new initiatives.
If successful then this may be something we will consider going forward with on our great street in the future.
The Autohorn Micklegate Run Soapbox Challenge will go ahead on Monday, August 28. And look out too for the street’s yarn storming which will be in place from July 2.