Plaza Mayor steps are being remodelled

Life will be made easier for British residents wanting to reach the British Consulate in the Plaza Mayor from the Via Roma, as the stone steps leading up to the popular square are now being remodelled. But, it is an operation which will take three months to complete. Although workmen can be seen on the steps at present, they are only doing preliminary work. The job will not begin in earnest until January 22, after the San Sebastian fiestas. This is because the Plaza Mayor is one of the places where various events will be held in a programme which starts tomorrow. Work is being carried out by Vias y Construcciones SA. It involves replacing the tiles with stone and placing an iron balustrade, building a central staircase with direct entrance to the shopping gallery under the square and providing a ramp for the disabled. The ramp will be connected to a lift which will go up to the square. The entrance and exit of the underground car park will be covered with a glass dome, to prevent the steps from getting wet. The cost of the project is 153 million pesetas. This is 21 million pesetas more than initially expected.