THE National Railway Museum could build a tunnel under a proposed new gallery – or a bridge over it - following protests that it would block the quickest route into York for cyclists and pedestrians.

The museum was accused last month of ‘putting tourists before residents’ when it emerged that the Central Gallery set to be built across Leeman Road - which will link the two existing sides of the NRM - would force local residents to take a detour when the museum is shut.

Now bosses have come up with a series of alternative options which include an underground walkway below the gallery or a bridge across the top of it, both of which could be reached by either ramps or lifts.

Another possibility would be maintaining access through the gallery 24/7, which would mean security staff having to be employed through the night.

Museum surveyor Tom Devine, who is working on the project, which is tied in with the York Central development, said it had listened to Holgate ward councillors, the York Central Community Forum and City of York Council executive, and worked hard to consult with local residents.

He said: “The primary objectives are to find a solution that gives convenience and safety for residents, pedestrians and cyclists, and enables a new Central Gallery to be delivered.

“We have written to 4,500 households in Holgate Ward with an open drop-in exhibition at the museum, the second of which takes place between 10.30am and noon tomorrow.

“We are carrying out a survey to understand more about the current use of Leeman Road outside museum opening hours. There will be continuing dialogue with expert consultants and stakeholders to find the best solutions. Reflecting on consultation, we will reach a decision on our preferred option and issue a statement prior to the York Central Outline Application submission on August 8.”

He said there would be further engagement work with residents around the design stage later.

The Press reported Leeman Road area residents’ concerns last month. Elaine Nightingale, 65, claimed the plans failed to consider many elderly people who used the route regularly, while Emily Nelson said she was disappointed she would be forced to walk either along the riverside or through a park to get home at night.

Holgate ward councillor Kallum Taylor claimed at the time that the plans showed the museum putting tourists and visitors before residents. He said yesterday the "only slight positive" now was that the museum had "finally clocked that there are people already living around Leeman Road who will be affected by their plans".

“However, just because they’ve put out a few exhibition boards for a few hours, with ideas we know that even they themselves don’t like and have dismissed, doesn’t mean we’re any further. We will have little to do with more manufactured PR exercises where they just repeat and heavily steer people towards their initial plan from day one.”