Soiled memorial set for clean-up after 100 years

The memorial features the names of North Eastern Railway company workers who died in both world wars

A war memorial in York that has deteriorated due to pollution and weather is set for a clean-up if plans are approved.

The North Eastern Railway War Memorial in Station Rise was officially unveiled in 1924 but its stonework has been heavily soiled by lichen, vegetation and discoloration from water.

Special low-pressure steam cleaning techniques would be used to repair it, according to a Network Rail planning application.

The memorial features the names of the 2,787 men from the London North Eastern Railway company who lost their lives in World War One and Two.

Stonework and mortar repairs and re-pointing would also be undertaken.

The plans state: “The appearance of the memorial has deteriorated in recent years, the current soiling could have arisen from a number of causes.

"Stone can change colour naturally as it weathers and is exposed to the elements.

“Algae and lichens can be common on stonework, whilst not necessarily harmful they can be disfiguring.”

The memorial, which stands next to York’s city walls and faces down Station Rise, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

It was built close to North Eastern Railway’s head offices, now The Grand Hotel.

The monument initially featured the names of 2,236 men from the North Eastern Railway company who fought and died in World War One.

A further 15 slate panels were later added with the names of 551 men who lost their lives in World War Two, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The names from both wars are also recorded in a book of remembrance which is housed in the nearby National Railway Museum.

No date has been set for the City of York Council to consider the application.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.