Latest news
£20m revamp for London’s Transport Museum
The £20m re-build project for London’s Transport Museum in Covent Garden is now underway.
When it reopens in summer 2007, the revamped attraction will include stories on different modes of transport such as cycling, walking, taxis and the river.
It will also introduce themes based on the design heritage of the organisation, London’s transport during World War I and World War II and the future of transport. A World Cities Gallery will provide comparisons with other cities.
A new learning zone, Tube simulators, a play area and interactive games will cater for families.
Additional facilities will include a new shop, a café bar overlooking the World Cities Gallery, a 120-seat Cubic Theatre and a Viacom Outdoor Gallery, which will showcase a changing programme of art, design and poster exhibitions.
A new top floor will create more display space to enable visitors to experience a more logical journey around the galleries. It will begin with early stories of horse buses before progressing to the creation of the first Underground railway in 1890.
Environmental improvements to the Grade II-listed Victorian flower market building will also permit more sensitive objects to be displayed for the first time, including world famous posters, original artworks, photographs, drawings and maps.
Building contractors Wates are currently working on the structure, roof and additional floor levels and Avery Associates Architects have designed the new building.
In the meantime, more than 400 objects have been moved to the museum depot in Acton.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a £9.45m grant, the Transport for London has committed £5.1m and Friends of London’s Transport Museum have donated £700,000. Details: www.avery-architects.co.uk