Heritage chiefs dismiss book's 'tourist threat' to Hadrian's Wall claims

By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 18:43, Friday, 31 October 2008

Heritage experts have dismissed claims that Hadrian’s Wall is crumbling because of tourism.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

A new book, Frommer’s 500 Places To See Before They Disappear, publishes a list of sites that are most at risk from developers and climate change.

The book details places to visit that feature endangered landscapes, ecosystems, buildings, cultural spots and animal species. Among the 20 “endangered” British landmarks is Hadrian’s Wall.

Figures from VisitBritain suggest that 43,485 visitors visited the Roman Army Museum alone during 2007.

But authors Holly Hughes and the Pulitzer-nominated former journalist Larry West claim that the sheer volume of tourists walking near and on the site could ruin the attraction.

The book says: “Over the last two millennia, nature broke down some sections of Hadrian’s Wall and many stones from the Wall were removed and used to build other structures, but much of the Wall is still intact. Besides nature itself, the biggest threat to Hadrian’s Wall are the tourists who flock to the site each year and walk on the Wall.”

But Linda Tuttiett, the chief executive of Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd, rejected the claims.

She said: “Hadrian’s Wall is Britain’s longest, and greatest, piece of heritage. It is therefore somewhere that everyone should want to see at least once.

“This important World Heritage Site needs careful management, but it is not about to disappear. A great deal of work is being done by us and our partners to ensure that the Wall can be enjoyed by future generations.”

Tourism bosses pointed to the huge revenue generated by the influx of tourists from across the globe to see the iconic structure.

An exhibition relating to the Wall at the British Museum in London has now closed. The hugely impressive Hadrian: Empire and Conflict exhibition opened in July.

Some of the other UK sites on the Frommer’s list are, The Tower of London, Greenwich Maritime Museum, The Holderness coast in East Yorkshire, Battersea power station and Little Green Street, Kentish Town, north London

First published at 05:14, Friday, 31 October 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk