SEVERAL members of staff at the National Railway Museum (NRM) have submitted letters of support for the museum’s controversial York Central plans - without revealing that they work there.

One letter writer said they are a “regular visitor” to the museum while another letter claims the author is someone “looking to settle” in the city.

A resident said the letters suggested to City of York Council that there is widespread public support for the plans.

The NRM was accused of putting tourists before residents over its plans to extend the museum gallery across Leeman Road, diverting a route used by pedestrians and cyclists.

Sixteen letters of support have been uploaded to the planning application, with 57 objection comments. Nine of the supporting letters are written by people with the same names as employees at the NRM and the museum confirmed several are from staff members.

A letter from Lynne Minett says: “My family and I have been long-standing supporters of the museum and admire the work they do to talk about the story of the railways. As someone who works in York, I think the diversion of Leeman Road is a positive step if it helps facilitate the York Central development which will have such positive economic and social benefits for the city.”

A letter from Ellen Tait Moore said: “As a regular visitor, with a young family, the ability to move freely around the museum will be very welcome! I am writing in support of this application - in particular the creation of a new building to link the two halves of the National Railway Museum.”

Resident Dr Rory Allen said he is “not very impressed” that NRM staff have backed the plans without revealing that they work at the museum. He said: “No fewer than nine of them have taken time out from a busy day to take part in the planning process by submitting letters of support for the NRM’s extension proposals. These, which involve closing off Leeman Road and forcing pedestrians and cyclists to make a difficult diversion out of hours, received just 16 letters of support in total, so the NRM contribution represents the great majority.

“Such solidarity is commendable, but why did they all find it necessary to conceal the fact that they work at the NRM?”

A spokesman for the NRM said staff and volunteers were not given any instructions about commenting on the planning application and that there was “certainly no intention to mislead anyone”.

He said: “We would absolutely encourage anyone who has an interest in the York Central proposal – especially those who live and work in the city – to have their say on the application. The wider principle of engaging the public in this development has been core to the York Central Partnership and will continue to be so.”

A City of York Council spokesman said people do not have to declare who they work for when they make a representation on a planning application.