Shrewsbury Medieval gateway visible again after facelift

Traitor's Gate forms part of the Town Walls circuit which has been on the Heritage at Risk Register since 1998. A co-ordinated effort by Shropshire Council and Historic England produced a conservation management plan which highlighted the areas in most need of attention.

Its details long hidden to passers-by, the gate is now visible again following removal of vegetation and repairs to the stone and brickwork by Shropshire-based McMillan Masonry.

Traitor's Gate, also known as St Mary's Water Gate, is at the bottom of St Mary's Water Lane and was built in the 13th century to provide access from the river to the town. Legend has it that a traitor opened the gate to a force of Parliamentarian troops in February 1645, allowing them to take control of the town. As a result it is now commonly known as Traitor's Gate.

The conservation work revealed that the wall at the rear of the gate was rebuilt in very early brick, which may be linked to the refurbishment of Shrewsbury's defences by Royalist forces during the English Civil War.

Veryan Heal, Historic England's planning and conservation director for the West Midlands said: "The work to St Mary's Water Gate was identified as a high priority in the management plan for Shrewsbury's Town Walls."

Tim Sneddon, Shropshire Council's operations manager for highways, transport and environmental maintenance, said: "Traitor's Gate is a very important part of Shrewsbury's history and heritage, which Shropshire Council is responsible for maintaining. The council is therefore grateful to Historic England for providing us with this chance to reveal, repair and preserve this important piece of history."