Dundee Museum of Transport on the Right Track

The journey to transform a historic tram depot in Dundee into the new home for the city’s Museum of Transport is moving up a gear following confirmation of a significant funding boost.   

Refurbishment work will now begin at the former Maryfield Tram Depot after it was announced that the project will now receive a total of £2.7M from the UK Government through Dundee’s Community Regeneration Partnership. 

This investment will sit alongside £1 million previously awarded through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.  

Meanwhile, museum bosses are pledging to continue their fundraising drive to complete the project for opening to the public.  

Council leader Cllr Mark Flynn and City Growth and Infrastructure Convener Cllr Steven Rome visited the Forfar Road former depot on Thursday (Jan 22) to meet with representatives of the museum as work gets underway on the latest stage of the redevelopment.  

The Museum of Transport’s original allocation of £1.2 million has now been more than doubled following a recent review, bringing the total UK Government contribution to £2.7 million.  

This increased award will allow the imminent commissioning of a main contractor to undertake restoration, conservation and fit-out works to the 1901 and 1913 sections of the building - the areas that will house the new museum.    

These works are expected to take twelve months to complete and will deliver a building ready to welcome the public.   

Cllr Flynn said: “I am delighted that we have been able to significantly increase the allocation to the museum to allow the start of work on this important phase. 

“I am grateful to both the UK and Scottish Governments for these major funds to the city following a lobbying campaign by the council based on our record of major project delivery.” 

Cllr Rome said: “This is an exciting moment in the development of the Dundee Museum of Transport. I would like to thank everyone involved in their project for their commitment to deliver a major attraction for the city which will help to create jobs and boost our economy.” 

Paul Jennings, executive director of Dundee Museum of Transport, said: “We welcome this increase in funding that is allowing major work to start on this historic building.   

“We are working to create an important community space in the heart of the Stobswell area, that will tell the story of Dundee's transport heritage like never before while also providing spaces for exciting temporary exhibitions as well as spaces for the community to use.   

“We will continue to fundraise for wider costs linked to finishes, landscaping, the creation of a new permanent exhibition and restoration of the 1920 section of the building. Subject to continuing fundraising success, we are working to open the new museum in the first half of 2027.”  

More details on the Dundee Museum of Transport at their website here 

The museum is currently based at temporary accommodation at Market Mews.  

Dundee City Council was allocated £20 million through what was formerly known as the Levelling Up Partnership, now renamed the Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). This will be used for a number of projects across the city.