Walkers Destroying Hadrian's Wall
A new report says that wallkers and tourists are causing substantial damage to Hadrian's Wall and that 40 per-cent of its length should be closed immediately for urgent repairs.
Posted: 9 August 2005
by Jon
Walkers are destroying World Heritage Site Hadrian's Wall claims
an article in today's Times.
The story refers to a report by archaeologist and World Heritage
consultant for Unesco Peter Fowler, which says that little is being
done to protect the remains of the Roman wall from the ravages of
tourists and walkers.
Fowler is quoted in the story as saying that the Wall's condition
is much worse than he'd feared and that some sections - some 40
per-cent of the trail - need to be closed immediately for remedial
treatment.
"The situation is desperate," he says and he's calling for action
from English Heritage, the Countryside Agency and highways
authorities.
The report quoted by the Times also criticises the management of
the increasingly popular Hadrian's Wall National Trail, which was
launched two years ago and has been extremely popular with day
walkers. Wear from walkers is apparently destroying vegetation around
the wall, exposing the soil and putting archaeological remains at
risk. At some points walkers are actually stepping on the stones of
the wall.
"The commitment by the Countryside Agency and the highway
authorities 'to manage the trail effectively' was not apparent on the
ground."
The Countryside Agency meanwhile, has reportedly refrained from
comment until it has digested the full implications of the
report.
Full story with a lot more details at www.timesonline.co.uk
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