Central Plaza closure: Victoria Viaduct "will not reopen before Christmas"
Video report by Kate Walby.
Victoria Viaduct in Carlisle will not reopen before Christmas due to the unsafe nature of the derelict Central Plaza Hotel, says the city council.
One of the main roads leading into the centre of the city was closed on Tuesday to carry out further investigation into to deterioration of the empty building.
This is the second time Victoria Viaduct has been forced to close. Cumbria County Council shut the road and footpath back in May 2018 for two months, causing major disruption.
Drivers and pedestrians are now having to take alternative, and often lengthy, diversions.
The listed building has been closed to the public since 2004 and has since fallen into disrepair.
The once impressive hotel currently has no owner which means it is the Council's responsibility for the safety of the structure.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to plan their journey while the road is closed and further assessments are taking place.
Specialist engineers are scheduled to arrive on site to determine the best way forward, however, any plan of action is likely to take months rather than weeks.
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