A MULTI-MILLION pound partnership project is needed to restore and make the most of York's 'iconic' Bar Walls, a senior councillor has claimed.

Cllr Ian Gillies said yesterday that City of York Council needed to talk to conservation organisations such as York Civic Trust and English Heritage about ways of tackling the long-term deterioration of the historic walls, improving their appearance and ensuring greater use by tourists and residents.

He said the National Lottery had helped fund a massive restoration project on the 'lesser' walls at Chester, and lottery funding and private money could both be sought to help finance repairs to York's walls.

The executive member for planning and transport was speaking after agreeing at a decision session to set more than £300,000 aside for vital repairs on three sections.

Monk Bar steps and Micklegate Bar's cracking roof will each get £75,000 for repairs, while £190,000 is lined up for repairs and restoration work to Tower 32, close to the junction of Jewbury and Peasholme Green, which needs underpinning, restoration and a new door.

City archaeologist John Oxley has said the walls are the best example of medieval city walls still standing in England today and over a million people walked the 3.4km route every year.

But Cllr Gillies asked Mr Oxley to hold further conversations with heritage organisations about possible ways of preserving and enhancing them in the future, saying he believed there was a growing long term maintenance problem which the council could not deal with on its own.

"They're as important to making York a national destination as the Minster but I don't think enough is made of them," he told The Press later. "I think they're underplayed.

"It might be through better lighting or events on the walls or making more use of the moats, for example in Lord Mayor's Walk."

He added that people might like to remember loved ones by donating £50 for daffodils to be planted next to the walls to boost the colourful floral display each spring.