Council rules which govern whether York's historic city walls will be open or closed during winter months have been slammed as "a lottery that is fast becoming a farce".

David Mason, curator of the Micklegate Bar Museum, is demanding a shake-up of the system which has seen visitors barred from the city walls amid fears they might slip on frosty walkways, despite the weather later turning out to be bright and sunny.

Mr Mason says one of two City of York Council keyholders decides each morning at about 8am whether to unlock the city wall gates depending on conditions underfoot. A frosty morning could cause the gates to be locked all day even if the weather changes later on.

He said: "It's not just that people can't get to the museum, it is not doing anything for the public image of York.

"The walls are one of York's unique free attractions. We are trying to do our best to encourage visitors but we are being shot in the foot by the council who are operating the walls."

Mr Mason has recently had to release residents and visitors from the walls after they have found gates open at one end but locked at another.

He has seen the gates closed on fine days and open in icy conditions.

He added: "It is a lottery, but it's now fast becoming a farce."

Paul Thackeray, head of client and city centre services for City of York Council, said: "The gates are not opened if there is a health and safety problem due to the presence of frost or ice or snow.

"This is mainly a problem in January or February. Many days in the winter, this problem of ice or frost can continue to be a problem throughout the day when parts of the city walls remain shaded from what sun there is."

But Mr Thackeray added that the council did recognise there were days when it would be safe to open the gates to the walls at a later stage in the day.

He said the council was hoping to begin examining the situation later in the day and opening the gates when possible.

* Specialist stonemasons from City of York Council will start eight weeks of restoration work on a section of the city wall, including Victoria Bar, on Monday, February 26, as part of a continuing programme of maintenance for English Heritage.

The bar, off Nunnery Lane, will be closed to traffic but should remain open to pedestrians. Traffic will be diverted via Prices Lane, Bishopgate Street, Cromwell Road and Victor Street.

Updated: 10:10 Thursday, February 15, 2001