PLANS are being finalised for a £250,000 rescue package on a section of York's historic walls, hailed by the project's manager as "the biggest job on the walls in recent years".

The works, due to start early in the New Year, are to save the two famous railway arches opposite the station. The arches were built in the 19th century to enable the railway to reach the original station inside the city walls.

Officials responsible for maintaining the walls fear if the work does not begin soon the arches could become dangerous.

Funding has been secured from City of York Council, English Heritage and rail maintenance company Jarvis, which is based very close to the arches.

Project manager Mike Tavener said: "It is a big job, the biggest one I can recall on the walls, and it could be quite complex, but it is necessary, interesting work. We are looking forward to it."

Archaeologist Jon Oxley who is responsible for maintaining the walls, said the work was needed because mortar used when the arches were built in the mid nineteenth century had started to erode.

"If we did not do this work, they could become dangerous and we would have to close them," he said.

Mr Oxley stressed there was no danger from the arches. "But if we were not going to do this work now, then next year, or the year after, or in five years time, we could be looking at serious problems there," he said.

Mr Tavener said public access to the walls would be maintained.

A scaffolding walkway system, similar to one used in the Bishophill area last year, could be used to bypass the area being worked on.

Over the last ten years - since a survey of the condition of York's city walls in 1990 - the city council, with the support of funds from English Heritage, has spent about £1.2 million on repairs to York's walls, which are a scheduled Monument.

A City of York Council spokesman said: "This work reinforces our commitment to maintaining the historic monument that is the city walls."

York versus Chester: Special report in the General Features section.

Updated: 11:47 Saturday, October 05, 2002