Is it the end of the road for transport museum funding? (From Wirral Globe)

Is it the end of the road for transport museum funding?

11:10am Monday 3rd September 2012 in News By Geoff Barnes

A question mark hangs over the future of Wirral Transport Museum as the squeeze on local authority resources intensifies.

Heritage groups connected with the museum fear it could become a victim of a budget crackdown to make inroads into Wirral Council’s multi-million pound overspend.

The local authority is presently consulting with the groups prior to the submission of a report to council cabinet within the next few weeks.

Heritage champion Cllr Jerry Williams said: “Input from all groups will be taken into consideration. We are listening to what they say because that input is most valuable.

“But everything on the council is being reviewed.

"No decisions have been taken and we are awaiting further reports from officers on options for the future management and cost of the museum.”

Councillor Williams praised the endeavours of volunteer groups to keep the museum operational.

He said: “I am aware of the magnificent job they do to maintain and operate the fleet of heritage buses which are a pleasure to see.”

A vintage tram service links the museum and Woodside Ferry at certain times.

The service started in April 1995 with a 1948-style tram built in Hong Kong. The transport collection was created as a celebration of Birkenhead’s place in the history of public transport.

As a pioneering industrial town it was the first place in Europe to adopt a street tramway.

It was set up in collaboration with volunteers from Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society who restore old trams.

In addition to trams the museum houses a collection of local buses in running order and a group of cars and motorbikes from the famous Baxter Collection.

There is also a model railway layout and a transport enthusiasts’ model shop called World of Motion.