THE battle to save the National Railway Museum is lost before it starts.

To run successfully the museum requires easy access by car or bus. Can you imagine a family group arriving in York by car and because of the closure of Lendal Bridge having to queue for a long time – well, that will be the norm around Leeman Road and Blossom Street. Even if the museum stays open, it will only be short-lived as the lack of footfall will herald its demise. It’s about time the council had a rethink about Lendal Bridge.

David Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, York.

 

• GEORGE Stephenson, George Hudson, George Leeman (particularly as it’s on ‘his street’) and others not necessarily called George will be turning in their graves, or on their turntables, at the news of the threat to the future of the NRM.

Good luck to The Press in taking up the cudgels on the museum’s behalf and espousing a cause so crucial to York’s image and heritage. You have a good track record in such campaigns.

At least this crisis has united all political shades in the city for once.

I can’t see any alternative to charging for admission with, maybe, a concessionary rate for York cardholders and special deals for school parties. Some years ago the Minster introduced charges. Perhaps the NRM/the Science Museums could ascertain what effect this imposition had on revenue and visitor numbers.

On a different tack, if the high-speed rail plans for this small country of relatively short journeys could be shunted off into a siding, denying passengers the opportunity of viewing the countryside in a blur, the billions released could improve the existing network with a smidgin left over to bail out the NRM/Science Museums.

The NRM is a fundamental ingredient in the ‘York package’. Let’s hope it stays that way. I’m pleased to have written this letter without once mentioning the Flying Scotsman. Whoops!

Derek Reed, Middlethorpe Drive, York.

 

• I WOULD very much like to see the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, The Media and Photographic Museum in Bradford, and the National Railway Museum in York, all remain open for many years to come. However, thanks to the last Labour Government, and the people who were in charge of the UK banks, and the current Coalition Government, we are, to all intents and purposes, bankrupt. Unless major policies are radically changed, we can no longer afford any ‘free’ items.

If we left the EU, if we cancelled all foreign aid, if we stopped fighting other people’s wars, if we did not arm the Syrian rebels, and if we changed the laws to prevent so much tax avoidance by multinational companies, and if we cut out Government waste, we could afford to keep these three superb museums open.

We all have to be realistic and live in the real world.

David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.

 

• THE National Railway Museum is important to the economy of York; it is also a national treasure and must not be allowed to close.

While I read a the theory that the Flying Scotsman may have contributed to its demise with millions already spent on unfinished restoration, I am horrified at the suggestion (Letters, June 8) that this famous old locomotive should be scrapped.

This fine piece of railway history does not have to be restored as a workable locomotive, but restored cosmetically and displayed in the Great Hall at the museum. Its mere presence would attract thousands of visitors and it would remain part of our great railway heritage.

Ken Thorpe, Ebor Way, Upper Poppleton, York.