Green light for NRM’s Central Hall
THE controversial scheme to‘join’the two halves of the National Railway Museum and reinforce its position as the greatest venue of its kind in the world has been approved.
City of York Council’s planning committee approved the museum’s reserved matters application for the proposed rotunda-style Central Hall at its meeting on August 4.
It will act as a new welcome space and gallery, located between the museum’s existing Great Hall and Station Hall. Linking the existing museum buildings for the first time, it will be a cornerstone of Vision 2025 and herald the start of work on the city’s York Central development of the 45-hectare regeneration site in a partnership with Network Rail, Homes England, City of York Council and the museum.
The development will feature a Railway Futures Gallery showcasing innovations in rail technology, house a café overlooking the new museum square, a shop, flexible event space, and new visitor facilities. It also includes Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, an interactive area aimed at inspiring children to think like engineers through experience, interactivity, and play.
As previously reported, residents and some councillors have objected to the scheme because it involves blocking up Leeman Road, which currently divides the museum, and depriving about 4000 users of a 24/7 direct route into the city centre.
Construction underway
A final decision was again deferred by the planning committee on July 7, this time because councillors queried whether access needs for disabled people had been factored into the plans for providing alternative walkway routes to replace the roadway.
However, it is a condition of the Stopping Up Order for Leeman Road that it will not be blocked until the alternative highway routes around the museum – about 400 yards long for pedestrians, cycle and vehicles – are in place. Construction is already underway on routes.
Until they are completed, however, residents will be able to walk through the museum itself only during opening hours.
The scheme was again criticised at the August 4 meeting on the basis that it removes the only route that is direct and always available for residents.
Despite the objections, the final approval was carried on a knifeedge majority of just one member. Following a four-hour discussion, committee chairman Coun Chris Cullwick used his deciding vote to give the go-ahead to the scheme.
NRM director Judith McNicol said: “This approval will allow the museum to realise its potential as the ‘world’s railway museum’ by improving our offer, welcoming more visitors, and helping us to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.
“The museum aims to be the cultural heart of York Central and this decision brings us a step closer to realising that ambition.
“We remain on track for opening Central Hall in the autumn of 2025, in time for the museum’s 50-year anniversary.
“As we move towards construction, we will continue to engage with residents and visitors to ensure that the world-class museum we are creating can act as a true community resource for our evolving neighbourhood.
‘Green’ design
Sustainability is at the heart of the Central Hall design, with environmentally-friendly design principles and materials in keeping with York’s railway history and the surrounding area.
Feilden Fowles designed Central Hall and Montagu Evans acted as heritage consultant, while the contractor Graham has been appointed to deliver pre-construction services for the new building,
Graham strategic projects director Neil McFarlane said: “We understand the significance of this project for the Science Museum Group and recognise its aspirations for Central Hall to become the gateway to the transformed museum.”