We’re so fed up with our council’s plan to block off a road that we’re SUING them – they won’t listen to us
ANGRY residents are suing their council after it approved plans to expand a museum that will block off their main route into the city.
Four thousand people will face a quarter of a mile detour to get into the centre of York.
They say they will have to go through bag searches every time they want to go to the shops.
The campaigners say the detour could be dangerous for people walking alone at night.
The newly extended National Railway Museum would block the main route into York city centre.
Locals would have to queue to get into their city and would only be able to get through during museum opening hours - currently Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm.
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The controversial proposals for a new central hall and cafe were approved on August 5 in a knife edge decision - winning permission by just one vote.
Yesterday, the Justice for Leeman Road Community group sent a legal letter to the council and the museum, telling them they were taking action.
Dr Paul Clarke, who lives along the road and is leading the campaign against the council, said: “It would effectively ghettoise our community.
“It would remove our only direct access from where we live to the city centre.
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“If it is built we would only be able to go through the new building during museum opening hours.
“We would have to queue with visitors as there is no segregated pathway for residents and we would be subjected to bag searches if they wish to do that.
“It is completely unacceptable.
“We feel very upset that the City of York Council, which is supposed to be working for the residents that pay their council tax, has sided with their commercial interests.”
The plans currently include a new route - a quarter of a mile longer - that has to be in place before the museum is built.
Locals are also concerned that it will not feel safe for women and children after dark.
They say it will particularly affect people with disabilities, children and the elderly.
Residents have now started a crowdfunder in a desperate bid to raise money for the expensive challenge with Leeds-based planning lawyers.
Over the application period, it racked up more than 100 complaints.
Paul, a 51-year-old professor at the University of York, continued: “We feel upset, ignored, alienated. The community is not being listened to.
“We want them to come back with a plan that takes into account the needs of local residents as well as the Railway Museum and we are willing to work with them to achieve this.
“Unfortunately, they are not willing to work with us.
“We have been ignored by them and the City of York council at every turn.
“The last resort we have is to go to a judicial review - we sought legal advice.
“We are not against the expansion of the railway museum - we are against it in its current form.”
Residents are demanding a direct, safe route to and from the city centre for pedestrians available all day, every day of the year.
They have currently raised £1,660, and hope to reach £5,000 by the end of the month to cover the expenses for a judicial review.
Vicky, who pledged £100 to the campaign, said: “I am delighted to be able to support this challenge.
“And deeply disappointed that the NRM has even considered expanding in this way and that the needs of the community have been brushed aside.
“Sometimes the only way to be heard is by way of legal challenge.”
The National Railway Museum says that the new Central Hall will connect their existing buildings and is a cornerstone of their vision to become the world’s railway museum by 2025.
Work is expected to start in early 2023 and be completed in time for their 50-year anniversary in 2025.
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A spokesman for the City of York Council said: "We are confident that the council's Planning Committee followed the proper processes and legislation in dealing with the NRM's application.
“But we recognise that residents are entitled to bring a challenge and while we have not yet received a pre-action letter, should we get one we will review the contents and respond accordingly, as we would with any challenge".
