Plans for a new multi-million pound Tullie House Roman Gallery and tourism trail linking with the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site in Carlisle, Cumbria, are set to be discussed by the local authority.

Carlisle City Council's (CCC) executive committee will be asked to green light the £2.37m Roman Gateway Project at a meeting on 23 November, which could see the council contribute £260,000 towards the proposals. The proposed scheme includes a new 400sq m (4,306sq ft) Roman Gallery at the western end of Hadrian's Wall, which will use the existing Millennium gallery area and will boast interactive technology to explore the Roman history of the region.

A new tourism trail to complement the new gallery and connect with the Hadrian's Wall path is also set to be created, which would boast interpretative features to tell the story of the city's Roman heritage. In addition to the proposed council funding, it is anticipated that the funding bids will be submitted the North West Regional Development Fund (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as the Hadrian's Wall Heritage company.

CCC leader Mike Mitchelson said: "We need to build on our Roman heritage and Carlisle is one of the key gateways to Hadrian's Wall. The plans will ensure that Tullie House is one of the region's leading visitor attractions, with the new Roman Gateway Gallery at its core. It will give another reason for visitors to come to the city and will be a major boost to local tourism and economy." If funding is secured, the council hopes the new gallery will open by spring 2011.

Image: Redman Design