Thom Yorke objects to the Ashmolean's building traffic plan

Thom Yorke has spoken out against the way Oxford University means to build a large extension to the Ashmolean Museum, close to his home in the city centre. This is Oxfordshire reported on 30 January that he objects to the plan to bring construction traffic in through Pusey Place and St John Street, which he says will make life miserable for the people who live there.

The university, which owns the museum, wants to pull down rear extensions dating from 1886 and put up modern galleries, offices and a delivery area in their place. About 5,700 square metres of buildings would go, to be replaced by a five-storey block of 9,046 square metres.

Residents and city councillors want the building traffic sent in from St Giles instead of down Pusey Place, which is 12ft wide. Jennifer Wood, director of the university's estates department, told the city council's planning meeting that the arch leading in from St Giles is too narrow for it.

Yorke attended the meeting but did not address it. Afterwards he said the applicants had refused to talk to residents.

It's going to make the area uninhabitable. It's going to be five years of heavy goods vehicles.

Thom Yorke¹