Heritage chiefs dismiss book's 'tourist threat' to Hadrian's Wall claims
Last updated 18:43, Friday, 31 October 2008
Heritage experts have dismissed claims that Hadrian’s Wall is crumbling because of tourism.
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
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
In west Cumbria
- Cumbrian woman wants law change after rape accused exposed as convicted paedophile
- Inquiry after mum buys mouldy baby food from Cumbrian store
- Cumbrian woman let her pet dog starve to death
- Warning after snakes kill dog, badly hurt another in Cumbrian park
- Jail term for Cumbrian man who filmed himself raping girl, 12
Have you seen...
Have your say
- Carlisle does not have any civic pride - art professor
- Former Carlisle girl named Miss Universe GB
- Sainsbury’s submits £40 million store scheme for Carlisle
- Primark targets site for Carlisle city centre store
- So teachers have it easy?
- Staff rethink could signal bright future for Carlisle textiles factory
- Wigton footpath plea after safety fears raised
- Election results bode well for Tories hoping to win Carlisle seat
- Health and safety clampdown moves Brampton hospital’s garden fete
- Cumbrian mum hits back at teen beauty contest critics
