Introducing the Museum Gateway Project
The Museum Gateway Project is an exciting new development at the Page’s Park terminus of the Leighton Buzzard Railway, providing a dramatic introduction to one of Britain’s top working museums.
Launched by LBR President, Sir William McAlpine, and Andrew Selous MP on 30th October 2010, with an impressive display of 25 locomotives, it will…
Radically transform the appearance of the station area, upgrading the introduction to both the railway and the town for thousands of visitors every year.
Provide permanent community and educational facilities for the hundreds of residents of the nearby housing estates, and beyond.
Improve massively the working conditions of the hardy volunteers who keep this unique piece of industrial and transport heritage alive, and make it easier to recruit and retain new people in the future.
Offer greater opportunities to generate increased income from commercial activities, to support the non-profit Railway and Museum.
How will it make a difference?
By providing a new, larger station building, replacing the current life-expired station and toilet blocks, which will offer extra space for use by the Railway and its customers, and by the local community.
By providing a new station forecourt and greatly expanded parking area, with dedicated bays for customers with disabilities.
By rebuilding the existing Platform 2 to the same high standard as the new Platform 1.
By refurbishing the exterior of the buffet building, bringing it up to the quality of the rest of the development
By reducing environmental impact through rainwater capture and re-use, high-efficiency central heating system, low-energy lighting, and improved thermal insulation.
How do things stand now?
We have planning consent from the former South Bedfordshire District Council.
We have a detailed specification of the works required, which will allow us to go out to tender at short notice.
We have long-term leases from our two landlords, Leighton-Linslade Town Council and Arnold White Estates Ltd.
We have some of the £685,000 required to make this project a reality, thanks to the Section 106 agreement from the first phase of housing development, and generous donations from our members. Two-thirds of the total is allocated to the buildings, the remainder to car parks and ancillary works
When will it happen for real?
Given the application timescales of major funding bodies, construction is expected to take place in 2012 and 2013, assuming our bids are successful. During the construction period, the Railway will operate out of temporary buildings, the cost of which has been included in the total.
Why is this project important?
Quite simply, the current buildings at Page’s Park are life-expired, inefficient, and totally unsuited to the needs of the 21st century—for example in their lack of community and educational facilities for our new neighbours in the nearby housing estates.
While the buffet building can be improved, the main station building and toilet block are beyond repair, and are costing increasing amounts of money and volunteer time, just to keep them safe and in working order. A drastic solution is called for, sooner rather than later.
The Leighton Buzzard Railway is an irreplaceable piece of living history, with its origins in the sand quarrying industry which still plays an important part in the local economy, and in the First World War battlefield supply lines before that.
Dating from 1919, it is the oldest continuously worked narrow-gauge railway in England, and has accredited museum status in recognition of the national and international importance both of the railway itself, and of its collection.
Using the formulae developed by the Association of Independent Museums, it contributes around half a million pounds each year to the local economy, through direct and indirect spending.
How can you help?
By making a donation, in cash or in kind, with Gift Aid to make it worth even more, if you are a UK income tax payer. But remember, the value of Gift Aid is reducing from 28p to 25p in the pound from 5th April, so please be quick! Download our leaflet/donation form.
By encouraging others to make donations.
By publicising our appeal as widely as possible.
WITH YOUR HELP, THIS EXCITING PROJECT CAN BECOME A REALITY!
www.buzzrail.co.uk
© 2011 Leighton Buzzard Railway Ltd
Last Updated 1st March 2011
Launch Day highlights
30th October 2010
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Leighton Buzzard Railway
Bedfordshire, England
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