THE multi-million pound redevelopment of one of York’s biggest tourist attractions has been branded “a waste of money”.

Rail enthusiast John Rathmell hit out after hearing the National Railway Museum will close its Great Hall to visitors for 18 months from 2012 to allow for a £21 million refurbishment.

As reported, the museum said the redevelopment, NRM+, was the biggest investment in the museum since it opened in 1975, and promised new multimedia displays, greater access to the collection and improved visitor facilities.

Mr Rathmell, of Rawcliffe, York, the owner of one of the country’s smallest private museums, the Clerestory Railway Museum, claimed the refurbishment would upset regular visitors.

“It’s a total waste of money.

“I’m positive when the work is done there will be a lot of complaints,” he said.

“I maintain that the money they are spending in altering the hall could have been used better by extending the buildings of the museum.”

But one worker at the museum who confirmed that staff had been shown a presentation featuring plans for the Great Hall said: “After seeing the plans, I think that the pain will be worth the gain. It just looks like history is starting to repeat itself again. The museum is robust enough to weather the closure.”

The worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “You must remember the Great Hall closed for a couple of years after the museum opened in 1975. Then the Station Hall opened, which was a temporary museum.

“The Government decided to allow it to stay open and it doubled the size of the museum, which was a great move.”

The Press understands the renovation includes a new walkway above the Great Hall, and at least one of the engines may be suspended from the ceiling.

Fundraising for the project has already begun, and the redevelopment aims to bring in more than one million visitors to the city each year.

A spokeswoman for the NRM said: “We have received two development grants so far, £200,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a successful first stage application and £560,000 from the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward.

“We are also approaching several other bodies for funding in the public and private sectors. The museum plays a vital role in York’s tourism economy and NRM+ aims to increase our role by bringing more than one million visitors to the city.”