MUSEUM bosses say they have been thrown a lifeline after overrunning roadworks which threatened the attraction's future, were halted.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, near Maldon, saw visitor numbers plummet after roadworks by Essex and Suffolk Water closed the museum's Hackman’s Lane access road.

But now the roadworks have been removed, offering the museum hope. 

Stow Maries CEO Ian Flint said: “The works being removed means we have a lifeline, we may get through this yet.

Return - Visitors come back to the site after difficult periodReturn - Visitors come back to the site after difficult period (Image: Credited)

"Of course, we are still waiting for absolute confirmation that the works will not return, and we have still to find thousands of pounds to survive, but for now at least our supporters can get to us."

The museum has launched a crowd-funding appeal to try reverse the financial effects of the road closures.

In the short time since it went live, letters of support have come in from individual supporters as well as museums in England and Europe.

Senior figures from the charity have met with Essex County Council leader Kevin Bentley.

He has offered advice on how the £30,000 hole in the charity’s finances could be filled.

The charity is also meeting with Essex and Suffolk Water owner Northumbrian Water to identify ways that they could possibly support the aerodrome during the difficult times.

Mr Flint added: “We are very grateful that the senior leadership of the stakeholders are meeting with us.

“We are hopeful that we may survive long enough to negotiate with them all some kind of support package , but it is very early days.

“Right now, we need our community to support us in even greater numbers with their visits or donations.

“The first hurdle may be behind us, but there are many more ahead. The threat to our survival hasn’t passed.”

The charity saw a 50 per cent drop in income after losing hundreds of potential visitors during the roadworks.

Popular historian and museum patron Dan Snow said: “The outpouring of support for Stow Maries clearly indicates how valuable it is to the people of Essex.

"It is just as important to our national heritage, so I am very happy to see that some progress is being made with the right people to rescue it from disaster.”