York Labour’s leader is calling on the National Railway Museum (NRM) to “get back to the table” and look again at how to improve access through its proposed central hall building.
The plans have attracted significant opposition because the hall, which would be built over Leeman Road, would cut off a direct route to and from York for residents.
A decision on a planning application for central hall was deferred earlier this month after councillors questioned whether it had taken into account the needs of disabled people.
Cllr Claire Douglas is now calling for a meeting with museum director Judith McNicol to discuss concerns and to “urge flexibility on the access issue”.
She said: “I’m really concerned about the signal being sent to York residents by our decision makers. It all adds to the belief, a significant proportion of our residents have, that the city operates primarily for tourists, not for them as local council tax paying residents”.
The ‘walkway agreement’ between the NRM and the council, which will dictate how people will be able to get through the museum, has been criticised by Holgate’s ward councillors, who say it is “one-sided” in favour of the museum.
People will only be allowed through the museum during opening hours and the route can be closed at other times for events or special visits.
‘Missed opportunity’
City of York Council’s deputy leader and executive member for transport, Cllr Andy D’Agorne, said he had asked council officers to review the agreement “to seriously reflect [the] community view in plans.”
He said on Twitter that it was “not too late” for a more “creative, inclusive approach” that included 24/7 access for pedestrians.
“Such a missed opportunity turning back on residents around York Central,” he added.
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Transport secretary Grant Shapps granted a stopping up order for Leeman Road last year after an inquiry, but the inspector who carried out the inquiry was critical of the walkways agreement.
Longer, alternative routes around the museum, including the river path, have been described as unsuitable by critics.
An NRM spokesperson said: “New roads and routes for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles through the York Central site will be in place before this part of Leeman Road can be stopped up.
“These routes will feature attractive landscaping, improved pavement widths, accessible gradients, lighting and greater segregation from cars in most places.
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“This infrastructure was designed by a council-appointed team and granted reserved matters approval by City of York Council in November 2020.
“The contract has now been let for the construction of this infrastructure by Homes England. Following the Leeman Road stopping up public inquiry, the inspector summarised in his report: ‘no one would be unable to make any of the journeys that they currently make via Leeman Road’.”
Some Labour councillors have been critical about what they say is the NRM’s lack of engagement on the issue, but the museum said ward councillors were invited to the public consultation on the central hall proposals toward the end of last year.