A portcullis was the main sticking point during a debate in which councillors finally approved the pedestrianisation of High Petergate, York.

High Petergate, York: Go-ahead given to turn it into a footstreet

The council's plans involve closure of High Petergate to vehicles from 11am to 4pm on weekdays, slightly longer on Saturdays and from noon to 4pm on Sundays. It says it will be safer for the millions of pedestrians who use the approach road to the Minster each year.

After nearly two years of wrangling and a public inquiry, members of the City of York planning and transport sub-committee took part in a heated debate over a Civic Trust proposal to lower the portcullis in Bootham Bar before finally giving pedestrianisation the go-ahead.

Coun Gerald Dean wholeheartedly supported the idea put forward by Civic Trust chairman John Shannon. "It's a splendid idea as it enhances the historic value of York. It makes the city attractive both for locals and visitors," he said.

But Coun Brian Watson said: "I hate the idea of a portcullis. We shouldn't waste any more time talking about it."

Coun Watson highlighted problems over access for emergency vehicles, patients using the doctor's surgery and the dangers of children climbing up and falling as arguments against it, sufficient for the proposal to be rejected - apart from on special occasions, when its historic value would enhance York's appeal to tourists.

The proposals bring High Petergate into line with other city centre streets where pedestrians are given priority over cars and cycles.

Highways officials are keen to give pedestrians top priority and believe that to allow cyclists access to the narrow historic street would compromise their safety.

The Bootham Bar Hotel, in High Petergate, has protested that it needed vehicle access for its guests, but councillors agreed it was reasonable to expect them to be dropped off or picked up from outside the nearby Bootham Bar.

The doctor's surgery in High Petergate will be granted certain exceptions for seriously disabled patients.

High Petergate was the subject of a day-long public inquiry in October during which the Cyclists' Touring Club defended its right to continue using the street 24 hours a day, despite City of York Council plans to the contrary.

An expected protest by the cycling group did not materialise at yesterday's meeting of the subcommittee.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.