Essential repairs are underway at a site earmarked for a new transport museum in Dundee after safety concerns were raised. The former tram depot in Maryfield could be the new home of a £4m Dundee Museum of Transport if enough cash can be sourced.
Peter Webber, chairman of the museum’s trustees, says new slightly revised plans submitted to Dundee City Council make clear the repairs will take place before the revamp would begin.
But he stressed the plans are “basically the same” as previously offered with no major design differences.
The museum is currently located in a rented building on Market Mews and is rated as one of Dundee’s top attractions.
The site on Forfar Road is a B-listed building and put on the Buildings at Risk register in 2002, after sections of it were damaged by fire.
But the charity hopes to build on its success by opening an even bigger modern building to permantley house its collection of previously popular vehicles.
The move would see a new modern roof installed while a steel structure would be built inside the existing fire-damaged brickwork.
Local Labour councillors previously raised concerns about the building’s structural integrity.
Councillor Helen Wright previously said there was concern that this may be a “risk to public safety” because of the potential for it to collapse or for slates to fall.
Mr Webber has sought to reassure locals about the building’s long-term durability by highlighting the current work in progress.
He said: “There is remedial work underway, with additional structural scaffolding now inside.
“Financial quotes are being sought by local companies to carry out further remedial work that water ingress has caused.”
Mr Webber also said there may be more news soon on additional funding for the ambitious project.
The project was given a £20,000 boost from Dundee City Council in September last year.
It has also secured funding of just under £475,000 from the National Lottery pending a funding plan being approved.
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