Bath's new World Heritage Centre and Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre (together the Archway Project) have come a step closer to opening, as construction work has finished, and the buildings have been handed over to the Council by Beard Construction.

The Council's project team, working with architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, will now focus on the fit-out of the buildings ready for opening later this year.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will provide:

A World Heritage Centre in York Street with free admission, where people can find out why Bath is so special, and pick up trails and guides to help them explore the World Heritage Site

A Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre for pre-booked school and community groups, with three state-of-the-art learning rooms, and a hands-on Investigation Zone set among real Roman remains

New areas of the Roman Baths including a Roman gym and laconicum (a type of sauna) which will be brought to life for Roman Baths visitors by projections and sounds depicting the Roman spa experience

Council Leader Kevin Guy, who toured the Archway Project last week, said: "After a huge amount of hard work by the project team, architects and construction company, it's wonderful to see the buildings looking so spectacular. There is still more work to be done, but we look forward to opening these three areas to the public later this year."

Richard Samuel, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Resources, said: "It's great news that construction work has been successfully completed and the buildings handed over to the Council. We are now counting down to the opening, when residents, visitors and school children will be able to enjoy these fantastic new facilities and all of the exciting activities that will happen in them."

Councillor Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, added: "About 15,000 school children and community groups are expected to use the Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre every year. The new, purpose-built facilities will improve the quality of their visit to the Roman Baths dramatically, with specially designed learning rooms and a hands-on Investigation Zone which will offer a memorable experience for primary school children."