Marygate improvements to resume this week – with access to Marygate Car Park affected

Work to resurface and reconstruct the road and footpath on Marygate for the first time in a generation will resume this week.

Since works started in September, significant progress has been made before the works were paused for the festive period.

From Wednesday 4 January drainage and other preparation work in advance of the resurfacing work will resume on Marygate, Hetherton Street, Esplanade Court, Frederic Street and Marygate Lane.

Then from 9 January until mid-February a full road closure will be in place for the resurfacing work. This will include Marygate, Hetherton Street, Esplanade Court, Frederic Street and Marygate Lane on weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm, which will mean access to the car park will be affected.

Due to the full road closure, there will be no access for vehicles and on street parking will be suspended during the working hours. Emergency services will be permitted through the works as needed.

Diversions are in place for cyclists who would normally use Marygate, so they can use the Sustrans Route - Railway walk, which is at the back of Marygate Car Park. There will be signs, traffic management precautions and traffic marshalls in place to assist with this diversion.

This road closure will mean that Marygate car park will be closed to the public on weekdays.

During working hours, vehicles will not be able to be parked on Marygate due to restricted access. Vehicle movements will need to be planned outside working hours.

Residents and businesses will be permitted to park in Marygate car park, free of charge, when the road is closed. The car park will be closed to other visitors during this time.

Disabled parking bays will also be available in Marygate car park during the full road closures.

Residents and businesses in the area have been written to with advice on alternative options whilst on street parking is suspended. This will include the option of using Marygate car park, however due to the road closures access will be restricted during the day.

Residents and visitors to the city are encouraged to plan ahead and use public transport such as the park and ride where possible.

The works have been split into phases to ensure safe pedestrian access to all homes and nearby businesses is maintained throughout the works, with doorways will be predominantly resurfaced outside business hours. 

The works have taken into consideration the historic importance of the area and are working closely with conservation officers, given the close proximity to the city walls.

Councillor Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader of the council and Executive Member for Transport said: “It is pleasing to see these important works progressing, with us repairing the significant defects that were in the surface of both the road and footways. Once completed these works will make the roads more even and safer for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles to use.

“We understand that this will cause some inconvenience to residents during the works, and as such site staff will be on hand to advise and assist all road users (including cyclists and pedestrians) about any access restrictions once the works are ongoing.

“We have written to residents and local businesses to provide further information and contact details for support as well as offering alternative parking options for them to use when the on-street parking restrictions are in place.

“We will continue to do all we can to minimise disruption whilst the works are happening and thank residents and businesses in the area for their continued patience and understanding whilst we complete these important works.”

To complete the works there will need to be two-night shifts required to resurface the junction with Bootham, between the hours of 7pm and midnight, with no noisy activity after 11pm. It is hoped that the works will be completed by mid-February.

For further information about the scheme, including FAQS, please visit: www.york.gov.uk/Marygate