PEDESTRIANS and vehicles are to be banned for more than six months from a stretch of road next to Bishopthorpe Palace as long-awaited flood works begin.

Chantry Lane in Bishopthorpe as well as the footpath by the entrance to the nearby Bishopthorpe Palace will be closed off to allow for work on new flood defences.

The new flood wall is to protect Bishopthorpe Palace and more than 110 homes in the village.

The restrictions are due to run from May 26 to Christmas Eve.

During this time, pedestrians and vehicles will not be able to use the footpath on the eastern side of Bishopthorpe Road between Chantry Lane and the entrance to Bishopthorpe Palace.

City of York Council states it is expected that for a majority of the works period, the road closure in Chantry Lane will be restricted to the final 20 metres of road however, at times, closure of the full length of Chantry Lane will be required.

It adds that contractors will advise residents of such requirements as soon as possible.

The restrictions are being put in place to allow for construction work to start on a major flood defence scheme - one of four across York.

More than five years after the devastating floods of December 2015, the Environment Agency has revealed that it is to start building a new flood wall in Bishopthorpe.

A spokesperson said the Bishopthorpe work included the construction of a 180 metre-long flood wall running along Chantry Lane and the boundary of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, incorporating a six metre-deep steel barrier underground and a floodgate across the bottom of Chantry Lane.

“This reduces the risk of flooding to 117 properties, as well as Main Street, therefore helping to protect access for residents in the south of the village.”