THE Bowes Museum’s gates will be closed to vehicles every night as a condition of getting insurance from the government for artworks on loan.
The gates will be shut from 5pm until 8am from October 26, but pedestrian access will remain open at all times, so people can still use the park after hours.
People who use the tennis courts and bowls green, which are both located inside the grounds, will be affected.
The changes will mean any vehicle left in the grounds risks getting locked in.
In a statement, the museum said the change is being made to comply with guidelines to secure government indemnity insurance for loans from other museums and to improve the security of the collection.
The state-funded insurance scheme provides cost-free cover for items and is an alternative to costly commercial insurance.
Adrian Jenkins, the director of The Bowes Museum, said: “The grounds will remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and dog walkers. This is a necessary step we’ve had to take to ensure we can maintain and secure our reputation as a home for world-class exhibitions.
“The gates will be opened for special events like exhibition previews and the Castle Players performances and the details of these opening times will be publicised on our website.”
He said the plans will allow the museum to continue to borrow “high quality art and objects which draw visitors to the area”.
People who used to park their cars in the grounds after 5pm can now leave their vehicles near the back or front of the grounds and then walk in, said Mr Jenkins, who added that clear signage will be put up.
The Friends of The Bowes Museum has funded the upgrade and conservation of the listed entrance gates.
Middleton Forge, Chris Leach, from Q-Dec, and Glasper Tunstall Stonemasonry is working on the project.
A public meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 16, at 6pm to explain the plans in detail and answer people’s questions. It takes place at Barnard Castle Methodist Church Hall. Contact 01833 690606 for more details.
