THE COST OF CUTS

 

The National Railway Museum based in York could reintroduce charges or suffer closure due to Government cuts. Admission charges were made up until 2001 when the then Labour Government abolished then as it wished to make the country's heritage accessible to all. Cuts could also affect the National Media Museum in Bradford

The BBC reported on the 6th of June that “In the letter to Culture Secretary Maria Miller, York Council's Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem and Green group leaders said they had serious concerns about the impact of any reduction in government funding for the Science Museum Group (SMG). They wrote: "It puts in jeopardy the vital contribution the National Railway Museum makes to the cultural, tourism and wider economy in this city".  The museum played a "critical part" in attracting tourists to York, who generate £443m for the city each year, they added. "As the finest rail museum in the country, and most probably the world, it would be a tragedy for it even to be under consideration for closure," they said.

The  (SMG) who runs the Science Museum in London and also the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum in Bradford, said it was in a "weak" financial position. A spokesman said that if a further cut of 10% was made it was inevitable that one of the museums outside London would have to close

In my opinion it would be tragic if any museum was closed but, in particular, the National Railway Museum is an important part of our heritage and very well-worth a visit. Tourists come from around the world to visit the York based museum.