A major redevelopment project is under way at the Museum of Natural History site in Oxford.
Construction work is taking place in front of the Oxford University museum, which also houses the Pitt Rivers Museum.
But it will not prevent the attractions from reopening on May 17, the date the government says museums and libraries can reopen, under the timetable for easing lockdown restrictions.
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The works are part of a major redevelopment project being undertaken by the university.
Curators prepare to move items at the Pitt Rivers Museum Picture: Ian Wallman
It is refurbishing the nearby Radcliffe Science Library to update facilities and create better spaces for study and research.
The university is also creating a college home for Oxford’s newest graduate college – Reuben College, which was founded in 2019.
This will include refurbishing several buildings in the area to create a dining hall, common room, offices and study areas.
Construction work in front of the Museum of Natural History
And a new Collections Teaching and Research Centre (CTRC) for the university’s four museums is also being created.
The work that is affecting the area at the moment, causing some cycle and pedestrian diversions along the side of Parks Road, relates to the CTRC.
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The CTRC will be located in a large two-storey basement under the museum lawn but significant repairs are required to make it safe and secure for museum collections.
Alison Stibbe, communications manager for Reuben College and spokesperson for the project, said: “This is a really complex and exciting project involving a partnership with the Radcliffe Science Library, all four university museums and Oxford’s newest graduate college.
Numbering artefacts at the Pitt Rivers Museum Picture: Ian Wallman
“For Reuben College, it literally puts the history of the world in our foundations as we seek to address the challenges of the future.”
Ms Stibbe added: “These essential maintenance works will create a fully waterproofed and high-quality storage facility that will enable the university to relocate some of its most significant collections which are not currently on public display into a safe space in the heart of the city.
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“It is hoped that the new Collections Teaching and Research Centre will open up innovative opportunities for scholarly enquiry and provide more ways for the public to engage with such an exceptional repository of information and inspiration.”
The Museum of Natural History in Oxford is fenced off
The main CTRC work should be complete by September but because some of it is complex and there have been delays due to Covid restrictions, it could go on until December 2021.
After that, the area should have better access around it, and the hoardings can move closer to the RSL site.
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The RSL-Reuben College part of the project has experienced significant delays, and is not likely to be completed until next year.
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