Over the years, the paving has become worn and damaged. One of the main reasons for this is because the trees on Parliament Street are taking a huge amount of water from the underlying clay, which is shrinking the clay underneath the paved areas. As a result an entire new section of pavement from the area near the old fountain to Mark’s and Spencer is required.

The council listened to businesses and retailers in June, when works were originally due to be carried out, and postponed these during the busy summer months.

Following further assessment of the highway, the paving has deteriorated even more – to a level which now requires immediate repairs ahead of the busy Christmas period. This is in order ensure the area is safe for pedestrians.

The temporary measures will include taking up broken and uneven paving slabs/flags and laying two new layers of tarmac surface.

The temporary repairs will start week commencing the 1 October and be completed by the 2 November.

This is not a permanent solution and plans to resurface the full area are in development.

Businesses and retailers were hand delivered letters outlining the works on Thursday 27 September.

City of York Council will be carrying out the works and will be responsible for public safety and for providing access while the work is ongoing.

Works are scheduled to take place between 7am and 4pm Monday to Friday.  However some out of hours working will be required (early morning and weekends) to reconstruct access to retailers premises to reduce the impact of this work to businesses in the area.

As with any construction work there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience, but the council will be doing everything reasonably possible to keep this to a minimum.