Plans to convert the historic Maryfield Tram Depot on Forfar Road into the new home of Dundee Museum of Transport have received a major lift, with confirmation of £2.7 million from the UK Government through Dundee's Community Regeneration Partnership.

The uplift more than doubles an original £1.2 million allocation and sits alongside £1 million previously awarded from the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. Refurbishment works at the former depot will now move ahead, while the museum continues its fundraising to complete the project and open to the public.

Council leader Cllr Mark Flynn and City Growth and Infrastructure Convener Cllr Steven Rome visited the site on Thursday 22 January to meet museum representatives as the latest phase begins.

The increased award will allow the imminent commissioning of a main contractor to deliver restoration, conservation and fit-out of the 1901 and 1913 sections of the building, which will house the new museum. The works are expected to take around 12 months and will produce a building ready to welcome visitors.

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Cllr Flynn said: "I am delighted that we have been able to significantly increase the allocation to the museum to allow the start of work on this important phase.

"I am grateful to both the UK and Scottish Governments for these major funds to the city following a lobbying campaign by the council based on our record of major project delivery."

Cllr Rome said: "This is an exciting moment in the development of the Dundee Museum of Transport. I would like to thank everyone involved in their project for their commitment to deliver a major attraction for the city which will help to create jobs and boost our economy."

Paul Jennings, executive director of Dundee Museum of Transport, said: "We welcome this increase in funding that is allowing major work to start on this historic building.

"We are working to create an important community space in the heart of the Stobswell area, that will tell the story of Dundee's transport heritage like never before while also providing spaces for exciting temporary exhibitions as well as spaces for the community to use."

Paul Jennings concluded: "We will continue to fundraise for wider costs linked to finishes, landscaping, the creation of a new permanent exhibition and restoration of the 1920 section of the building. Subject to continuing fundraising success, we are working to open the new museum in the first half of 2027."

The museum is currently based at temporary accommodation at Market Mews.

Dundee City Council has been allocated £20 million through what was formerly the Levelling Up Partnership, now renamed the Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to support a number of projects across the city.