City of York Council is advising motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other road users to avoid High Ousegate and Coppergate in the city centre following an accident this afternoon (Monday, January 28).

It is understood that a woman walking near All Saints Church was injured when a piece of masonry fell from the church building late this afternoon. Both roads and the footpaths around the church were sealed off by the police immediately after the incident.

City of York Council has now closed the area off to pedestrians and road traffic until late tomorrow morning to allow investigations to begin.

Bill Woolley, the council's assistant director for transport, environment and development, said, "Our priority is public safety and to prevent any further incidents we are closing the areas to traffic and pedestrians.

"We have called in our structural engineers to inspect the building but we are unlikely to be able to get a good picture until the morning and the area is unlikely to be re-opened until late tomorrow morning.

"In the meantime we will be working with the police, fire service and other agencies to investigate this incident and take any steps necessary to ensure public safety."

The health and safety executive has been notified of the accident.

The council has put a diversion in place and is contacting the city's bus companies to advise them of alternative routes.

The details of the diversion are as follows: Coppergate and High Ousegate closed until further notice.

The following diversion routes will be from Ousebridge via: Clifford Street, Tower Street, Castle Mills Bridge and Piccadilly.

From the Pavement direction via Piccadilly, Fishergate, Paragon Street, Fawcett Street, Fishergate, Castle Mills Bridge, Tower Street and Clifford Street.

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