The group behind the proposed £18 million heritage railway museum at Leicester North station are still scrutinising the six architects’ designs to make sure they are affordable enough to build.
A panel of judges last week heard presentations from some of the largest companies in the country, who had put forward their visions for the city’s planned Great Central Railway museum, near Birstall.
The designs ranged from traditional constructions made of timber and stone, to more contemporary designs made of fabricated metal and glass.
The total budget for the project, which is due to be finished by 2021, is £18 million, which includes a £10 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the biggest ever given to an endeavour in Leicester or Leicestershire.
However, the group behind the scheme – the Great Central Railway, the National Railway Museum and Leicester City Council – have now called in a quantity surveyor to study the six architectural proposals to ensure that they fall within the budget of the museum. The winner will then be announced.
Chief Executive of the GCR, Andy Munro, commented: “We are humbled and honoured to have six of the UK’s most talented and inspirational architects competing to design our new heritage railway museum.
“Each of the designs has magnificently embraced our requirement to showcase locomotives and artefacts from the national collection within a building of outstanding architectural merit.
“The designs are truly exceptional and the public have responded with enthusiasm and delight.
“It is essential however, that the project can be delivered on budget and before choosing the winner, we have arranged for an independent quantity surveyor to validate the designs.
“This will take a few days, but we hope the museum will provide enjoyment for many years so it is very important to get this right from the start.”
