Wellington workers can now use part of Molesworth St and office buildings open

Demolition is continuing at 61 Molesworth St but cordons are partially lifting today. Photo / Katrina Bennett

Cordons will be partially lifted in Molesworth St this morning, bringing relief to people locked out after an earthquake hit Wellington last month.

The street has been closed to allow for the demolition of the office building at number 61, which was severely damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

Demolition work is continuing but the right-hand lane is now open to traffic, and pedestrians can use the footpath on the opposite side of the road.

People can also now access the buildings at number 100, 102 and 118, and the rear section of the Wellington Cathedral.

Wellington City Council building control manager Mike Scott says the demolition crew too longer than first thought to get to this stage.

He says the initial timeframe was based on how long it took to bring down buildings in Christchurch, without factoring in Wellington's wind.

Scott says the weather has been extreme since the job started, which slowed work down.

But he says overall the job is going well and the building should be down by Christmas.

Contractors will then remove the rubble from the site.