YESTERDAY (August 7), I – alongside my consort – visited the Keighley Bus Museum on Dalton Lane.

Whilst there, I was given the pleasure of a tour of the collection and an opportunity to learn about the many, incredible vehicles which are held there – all of which are being lovingly cared for and restored to their former glory.

Throughout this time, I was taken aback by the sheer quantities of people in attendance. There were many Keighley born and bred but also quite a few from further afield. Some had travelled from Skipton and Wakefield, whilst some had come from outside Yorkshire altogether.

It is also worth noting that within this incredible cohort of supporters was a diversity of age groups, ethnic backgrounds and more – all of whom had come together to support the museum, its brilliant volunteers and what it represents in this town.

It is therefore nothing short of a tragedy that this key Keighley asset is now under threat.

During my time at the museum, I spoke to many irate visitors who were deeply worried about what the eviction of the museum from its current home would mean for it and the collection of buses.

There is a serious risk that unless an arrangement or alternative site is found, the collection could be split up or moved from the town altogether or – in the worst case scenario – no longer exist.

None of these possibilities should be thinkable or even on the cards.

This town is proud of its history and its background, and this is one of the many things which makes Keighley so special.

It is also particularly sad as back in June, Keighley Bus Museum was a huge contributor to the extremely successful transport festival. For it to go from a gem of the town to potential closure is unacceptable and, if lost, would mean a part of Keighley's heritage and history goes with it.

Whilst I can appreciate the difficulties ahead, I am always hopeful that some, happy solution could be found.

With that in mind, I urge the landowner to think again about removing the museum from the site and also for any potential landowners, who could help save the museum, to reach out and see what can be arranged.

This town has many wonderful assets, from Cliffe Castle and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway to East Riddlesden Hall and beyond. I regard the bus museum on a par with these as a key piece of our shared history and culture.

To lose our bus museum would be devastating to say the least and I know that Keighley people, myself included, do not want it to close and would do anything possible to help save it.

Councillor Luke Maunsell, Keighley town mayor

* Email your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk