ONE of York’s political leaders has called on the Deputy Prime Minister to think again over funding for the city after one of its tourist attractions missed out on a £7 million grant.

The National Railway Museum was forced to abandon a scheme designed to transform its Great Hall following the failure of its application for cash from the Regional Growth Fund.

Ahead of tomorrow’s local elections for City of York Council, James Alexander, who leads the council’s Labour group, has written to Nick Clegg, whose remit includes the fund, to say he is “dismayed” at the lack of financial help for York and ask him to rethink the decision.

“First it was flood defence money, then it was Park&Ride funding and now it is regional growth finances,” he said.

“Not only is this Government not awarding York money, it is actually taking it away.

“Nick Clegg’s decision flies in the face of promises contained in the local Liberal Democrat election manifesto and I am challenging him to reconsider the decision not to award York any funding.”