United front to tackle threat to top museum

The Leeds City Region council leaders met yesterday to agree a joint approach to tackling plans by the national Science Museum Group to close down either the National Media Museum in Bradford, the National Railway Museum in York or the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, if funding cuts are confirmed by the Government later this month.

Bradford Council leader David Green said he has not ruled out using the authority’s own money to prop up the media museum if necessary, but that the focus for now must remain on fighting for a fair funding deal.

“It’s early days to be having that discussion,” he said. “We continue to work with Manchester and York to oppose any of the closures, and that is the first priority.

“I have just come from a meeting of the Leeds city region local authority leaders, and I have got support from across the region.”

With thousands of people signing online petitions to keep the three museums open, Conservative MPs said they are prepared to work alongside their Labour opponents to fight the cuts.

Julian Sturdy, the Tory MP for York Outer, said he would be writing to Culture Minister Ed Vaisey.

“I will be lobbying him on this matter,” Mr Sturdy said. “All departments have to save money, but it’s about priorities.”

The group leaders of all four main political parties on York Council yesterday sent a joint letter to the Government stressing the “vital role” that the railway

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