CITY council bosses have revealed when work is provisionally set to end on the site of the former Central Plaza hotel.

Work has been ongoing in the city centre to clear the rubble and make it safe since its demolition at the end of last year.

In December, Victoria Viaduct reopened for pedestrian access, but remains closed to vehicles.

A Carlisle City Council spokesman said: “Weather permitting, the final programme of works is scheduled to be completed on the former Central Plaza hotel site on Sunday, March 8.

“The demolition of the building was completed ahead of schedule in late December and Cumbria County Council reopened the footpaths across Victoria Viaduct.

"Once our contractors leave the site on Sunday, March 8, the highway will be handed back to Cumbria County Council.

"They will then advise on when Victoria Viaduct reopens.

“Following the demolition of the building, 7,600 tonnes of material has been removed from the site and from next week, 100 metres of timber hoarding and scaffolding support will be erected around the site perimeter.

"The depth of the site is significant - there is now a two-storey high difference in level between Victoria Viaduct/West Walls and the lower ground floor of the former Central Plaza hotel.

“There will also be a 75-metre-long, three-metre-high fence along the perimeter of the site at the lower level; known as Backhouses Lanes."

The spokesman added that further updates on the progress and changes to the planned on-site completion date will be issued in due course.