PLANS to close part of York’s historic bar walls to traffic in one direction are set to go ahead after councillors voted in favour of the scheme at a meeting.

Councillor Jonny Crawshaw put forward proposals to close Micklegate Bar to outbound traffic in a bid to preserve the heritage of the “nationally important structure.”

Speaking at a full council meeting on Thursday, Cllr Crawshaw said traders support the plans. He said: “The shameful truth is Micklegate bar stood for 800 years undamaged, through the siege of York in 1644, but it’s being damaged now for the sake of our convenience. If you go and look at the bottom part of the gateway the oldest part you’ll see scrapes and scars from a century’s worth of vehicle collisions.

“The time has come to look after it a bit better so that it can stand for another 800 years and more as the gateway to our great city.”

Cllr Peter Dew asked for a consultation to be carried out before the plans went ahead, adding: “This is not going to be our Lendal Bridge. We are not dictators, we do want an input from everybody involved.”

He added that York Cycle campaign are anxious to ensure there is still a route for cyclists.

Councillor Lars Kramm said he is keen that the consultation should not delay the plan to close Micklegate Bar to outbound traffic.

He said: “We have had three years of consultation already on this topic. I don’t doubt that your amendment will be supported because no councillors will vote against consulting residents. But it shouldn’t be an excuse to hold that process any further. Before my term ends in May next year I would like to see this topic finally resolved.”

Councillors voted in favour of the plans with the amendments.