The Brunel Museum in southeast London has put a major expansion plan on hold after issues with the project above the London Overground tunnels couldn’t be resolved in time.

The project would have seen the Engine House and the Grade II* listed Tunnel Shaft restored to their former glory and a new gallery created. A new Welcome Pavilion next to the building would provide accessible facilities, enabling more people to visit and learn about the tunnel and the Brunel family that led its construction. Currently split between two buildings, the old Engine House and the original Brunel Sinking Shaft, the new entrance pavilion would have connected the two buildings via a covered courtyard.

The museum had been awarded £2.1 million by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to be match-funded by donations towards the project’s total cost.

However, after they secured the funding and permissions, some unforeseen problems arose as it sits right on top of the London Overground’s Windrush line tunnel under the Thames. The museum had planned to close in the autumn of 2024 to allow works to begin, but this was repeatedly postponed while they investigated how to address the railway concerns.

Lottery funding usually has a time limit for when it can be spent, and the delays, combined with the changes needed to the approved design, meant that the funding has now lapsed.

The Lottery will still fund the museum’s public outreach programme, but won’t be funding the building extensions. At least not at the moment, as the Brunel Museum could reapply again in the future. The museum says it remains focused on delivering the objectives of the original project to restore the Engine House building and to improve accessibility, facilities, and the overall visitor experience at the Museum.

In 2025, the museum says it had over 7,000 visitors, the highest number since it reopened after Covid. They also launched a new schools programme last Autumn and already have bookings into the summer.

Earlier this year, they opened Groundbreakers, a new display based on research from their Workers Project. The display is open until 31 August.

The museum is a couple of minutes walk from Rotherhithe station on the London Overground.