A COUNCILLOR has called for legal action to block residents' admission charges to York Art Gallery and avoid another costly "Lendal Bridge mistake."

The plea by Cllr Andy D'Agorne came after police were called during the gallery's official re-opening on Saturday, when dozens of protesters went en masse to the ticket desks, showed their York Cards and demanded free admission.

Janet Barnes, chief executive of York Museums Trust, which has decided to charge £7.50 for entry in face of massive council funding cuts, made an instant decision to grant them free tickets to protect 'public safety', adding that she was also concerned about the exhibits.

Protesters, backed by York People's Assembly, had earlier staged a light-hearted demonstration against charges outside in Exhibition Square, creating a "York Free Art Gallery."

They distributed leaflets claiming: Tomorrow's artists need access to inspiring art today. By charging for gallery entry, are we hindering those with poorer backgrounds from becoming tomorrow’s artists?”

Now Cllr D’Agorne, the Green group leader on City of York Council, has written to leisure executive member Nigel Ayre, drawing parallels with the botched trial closure of Lendal Bridge which ended with fined motorists having to be refunded. He said: “It is now your responsibility to avoid another costly ‘Lendal Bridge’ mistake.”

He asked what legal steps the council was now taking to ensure the trust remained within the terms of its lease agreement by continuing to allow all York residents free access to the gallery and Castle Museum until the executive could decide on any changes.

The councillor claimed that when the trust was established, it was clearly understood that public access would remain in the hands of democratically-elected councillors alongside the board.

The trust, which has insisted it is working within the terms of its lease, said on Saturday that, given huge ongoing cuts in its council funding, residents’ support was vital for the future of the city’s museums.

“We hope that the vast majority will see the importance of this and take advantage of the half-price YMT Card which is available to all York Card holders,” it said.

It added that it was already struggling to cope with an existing £900,000 gap in its funding and had recently learnt that its council funding was likely be even further reduced to £300,000 next year.

Cllr Ayre was unavailable for comment yesterday but the council has said that a report will be brought back to executive in September, which would cover any legal questions, issues or implications arising from the trust’s decision to introduce charges.

The gallery was reopened on Saturday by children from Woodthorpe Primary School, who cut a giant ribbon.

They were given the honour after winning a ‘Lowry Challenge’ art competition, inspired by a 1952 L S Lowry painting of Clifford’s Tower, with their clay models on display in the gallery’s project gallery.

The £8 million redevelopment has included the creation of a new mezzanine gallery and access to new gardens at the rear and an upgrading of the main entrance foyer and café.

Works on display include paintings by Italian Old Masters, modern works by artists such as David Hockney, Paul Nash and Stanley Spencer, installations by contemporary artists and more than 2,000 ceramic works.