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Multi-million plans for a new Roman Gallery and tourism trail linking in with Hadrian's Wall in Carlisle has taken another step forward.
Carlisle City Council’s Executive Committee gave the go-ahead for funding bids, totalling £1.9million, to be submitted to the European Regional Development Fund and North West Regional Development Agency. The overall scheme will cost £2.37million and will include:
A new Roman Gallery that aims to create a contemporary world-class, must-see attraction at the western end of Hadrian’s Wall. The new 400m² space will use the existing Millennium gallery space and will include cutting-edge interactive technology to explore the concepts of frontiers, focusing on the Roman Empire, Carlisle, and Hadrian's Wall. It will include five narrative themes: On the Edge of Europe’s Largest Empire; The Dynamic Frontier; Britain as an Imperial Province; Real Life in Roman Carlisle and The Living Wall; and
A tourism trail that will complement the new gallery and link in with the Hadrian's Wall path. This would include interpretative features that will illustrate the city’s strong association with its Roman heritage. Way-markers, art-work and features will be designed to reflect the materials and history of Hadrian’s Wall and its forts.
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said: "The new gallery and tourism trial would allow us to capitalise on our strong Roman heritage and would attract international, as well as national visitors, to the city. The submission of the funding bids is a major step forward for the schemes and, if successful, will provide a significant boost to our local economy."
It is proposed that the City Council provides £260,000 towards the project. Capital funding bids to the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) will be sought for the remaining funding. Revenue funding bids will also be sought from the NWDA, ERDF and the Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd.
If the funding bids are agreed, the new Roman Gallery is planned to be open by spring 2011.
(CD/KMcA)
