LESSONS learnt from the from the decline of the Mechanics' Institute should prevent the former railway museum in Faringdon Road falling into a similar spiral of disrepair, councillors hope.

A report is due to be brought before Swindon Council's cabinet which will propose putting the council-owned building out to tender.

It has already been empty for two and a half years and all three political groups are keen that no more time is wasted in finding a use for the 151-year-old listed building.

Consultants from Bath firm, Feilden Clegg Bradley, recently presented their findings from a study into the future prospects for the derelict Mechanics' Institute building in Emlyn Square.

As part of the study commissioned by the council and English Heritage the consultants were asked to look at the old railway museum as well.

But English Heritage told the council that, as it owns the freehold for that building, it is entirely the council's responsibility.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said it was clear the council now has to try to "fast-track" the process.

He said: "We can't afford to hang around because the last thing anyone wants is another Mechanics.

"I'm told the building is still in a fairly good condition, so I'm sure there'll be plenty of interest from the market place in it.

"We don't want to find ourselves still in this position in five or 10 years time."

The building was originally built as a lodging house for railway workers, known as the Barracks, in 1851. It was later used as a Wesleyan Chapel until 1959 and became the railway museum in 1962.

Labour leader Sue Bates (Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) compared it to the former Gilbert's Hill School building in Dixon Street, Old Town, which was vacated in the summer of 2000 and will soon be turned into flats.

She said: "We turned around the Gilbert's Hill building quickly and correctly and we should try to take the same approach here.

"The old museum lends itself to a variety of options you could turn it back into a museum of some sort, but I favour the thought of it being used for inner city accommodation.

"That could be quite prestigious and would fit in well with the Railway Village area. Whatever happens, I would like to see it done as quickly as possible."

Liberal Democrat leader Mike Evemy (Eastcott) said: "Any building of that age being empty is not good for the building and not good for the town.

"We need to look at all the possible uses for it before making a decision, but we need to be practical. People might find it difficult to sell it and turn it into flats, but that's better than letting it just fall down."

Tim Bryan, the curator of the Steam museum, who worked at the old museum for 16 years, said: "I would just like to see it given a suitable use.

"Housing is perhaps not such a bad idea, because that's what it was originally."