THE scheme which stops traffic travelling through Walmgate Bar could be abandoned, council chiefs have revealed.

Councillors will be given an option to dump the experimental traffic order which has stopped vehicles traveling through the 12th Century monument at a crunch meeting next month.

In considering their options, Bill Woolley, City of York Council's director of environment and development services, told the Evening Press that members may have to weigh-up the benefits of Walmgate being used as a highway against protecting part of the city's cultural heritage.

He is preparing a report for the authority's planning and transport meeting on February 2, following concerns from some quarters that the traffic order implemented in November is not working.

That scheme closed the barbican to all traffic except cyclists, and funnelled vehicles down the larger Victorian arch. It is used by traffic travelling both in and out of the city.

Mr Woolley said the report that would go before councillors was in draft form and the exact recommendations had not yet been decided.

But he did reveal that, under a review of the scheme, options they could be given for the Bar could include abandoning the experimental order and opening it to traffic again - or shutting it altogether.

He said: "One of the options could be to abandon the trial altogether. It has caused extra delays to public transport. That is very important as this junction is on one of our main Park&Ride routes.

"Another (option) would be to permanently close Walmgate Bar. Members need to decide if that's a price worth paying - to take capacity out.

"The two criteria we need to fully understand is looking at the experience of the trial in the light of capacity against the importance of the unique structure in York's historic heritage."

Peter Edwards, commercial director at First, said: "We have worked hard, and accepted the provisions of the trial.

"Unfortunately, from our point of view, it is apparent that our services have become delayed as a result of this scheme."

Peter Wheatley, owner of private hire firm Yorcabs, said he would be happy if the traffic scheme was abandoned.

"There was no reason for it to be closed. Every low bridge in the country has a sign on it saying don't go through. This was all about high-sided vehicles trying to force their way through."

Coun Ann Reid, the council's planning and transport chief, said: "When we approved the experiment we did say we would report back within six months, or earlier, if concerns had been raised.

"Concerns have been raised and therefore this report is to keep members abreast of the situation."

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour transport spokeswoman, said: "We have got to protect the Bar, but we have got to look at other options."

Updated: 08:48 Wednesday, January 19, 2005