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Britain to Invest £7 million in Hadrian's Wall

Under a new, revised Management Plan for Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, Britain sets out a six- year framework to manage the most complex and best preserved frontier of the Roman Empire which stretches more than 70 miles across some of the most beautiful and rugged countryside from Newcastle in the east to the Solway Firth in the west.

Hadrians's Wall was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. It is the first World Heritage Site in Britain for which a revised Management Plan has been produced.

The revised Plan, which was published on 25 September, addresses the effect that the Foot and Mouth outbreak had on livestock farming and tourism on Hadrian's Wall and its contribution to the local economy. Visitor figures to rural Roman forts dropped by 38% and approximately 80% of farms within the World Heritage Site and its setting had their stock destroyed.

Hadrian's Wall is an international icon. It is a prime example of how a conservation-led top tourist attraction can be an economic driver in the region. To counter the appalling effects of Foot and Mouth, the Hadrian's Wall Tourism Partnership launched a £75,000 marketing campaign at the start of the year which has brought back many more visitors to the Wall. From January to July 2002, visitors to Roman sites rose to 361,181, a substantial increase on the same period in 2000 of 341,219. In 2001 only 265,611 visits were made during the same period, illustrating the effects of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Will Create Worl-Class Facilities

More than £7 million is to be provided over the next six years to create world-class visitor facilities in the central sector of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site. These improved facilities were one of the key objectives identified in first Hadrian's Wall Management Plan and will be implemented during the lifetime of the revised Management Plan which runs from 2002 – 2007.

Funding will be directed for the conservation and enjoyment of Housesteads Roman Fort, the most complete Roman fort in Britain and Chesters Roman Fort, one of the best preserved examples of a cavalry fort. There will also be a new youth hostel and visitor centre within the Northumberland National Park at Once Brewed.

English Heritage has already committed £50,000 to help the owners start to repair the romantic ruined castle at Bewcastle, built within a Roman outpost fort and which is on the Buildings at Risk Register. The castle was partially damaged in the 17^th century after the Civil War, but the last recorded repairs were undertaken in the 15^th century by Richard, Duke of York, later Richard III.

Two of the major achievements of the first Management Plan were the public opening of Segedunum Roman Fort, Bath House and Museum at Wallsend, a £9.5 million project with major funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has attracted over 135,000 visitors so far, and the opening of Thirwall Castle, a 14^th century romantic ruin following a £430,000 conservation programme. This was jointly funded by Northumberland National Park, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Union and English Heritage and removes the castle from the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has just contributed £145,000 towards the Vindolanda Trust's Eagle Eye project – a bird's eye view of Hadrian's Wall as a new development at the Roman Army Museum.

'Isn't Just a Wall'

Speaking recently at Birdoswald Fort in Cumbria, Dr. Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: " Hadrian's Wall isn't just a wall, it's a complex of forts, temples, turrets, museums, exhibitions and reconstructions that bring the frontier to life.

"The remains of the Wall, lying in an outstanding landscape of national and international significance are a world-famous visitor attraction. Our responsibility is to ensure that the Wall and its setting are protected and enjoyed and, where possible, enhanced for future generations.

"The Wall and its associated structures are fragile and non-renewable. Considerable progress was achieved under the original 1996 plan but much work still remains to be done.

"English Heritage, which has taken a lead in preparing the new Plan in consultation with partner organizations, is committed to working with them all for continued care, enjoyment and understanding of this justly-famous international monument. In particular, we are working very closely with the Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast and the Heritage Lottery Fund to realize plans for the central sector of the Wall.

"One NorthEast is supporting our £1.5million bid to the European Regional Development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund is considering outline proposals which will ensure that the greatest number of people can reach, understand and enjoy the entire length of the Wall and its setting."

Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "Hadrian's Wall is one of this country's most famous landmarks recognized around the world as the northern most frontier of the Roman Empire. It is a tangible reminder of the significant impact which Roman occupation had on this country.

"The Management Plan was designed to ensure that its conservation and management was undertaken sensitively and appropriately. The Government is accountable to UNESCO and the wider international community for the future conservation and presentation of this important site. It is a responsibility we take seriously."

Sue Underwood, Chairman of the World Heritage Site Management Plan Committee, said: "The Plan presents a unique opportunity for a wide cross-section of the public to engage in the conservation and enhancement of the area's natural assets. It acknowledges the importance farming plays in managing and preserving the spectacular setting of the Wall as well as the value of the Wall to the local and regional economies as they struggle to recover from the effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

For a World Heritage Site with so many stakeholders, many of the ideals of the Management Plan can only be achieved through well developed partnerships, volunteer co-operation and shared visions."

Source of Cultural Wealth

Miles Middleton, Chairman of the Hadrian's Wall Tourism Partnership, said: "Hadrian's Wall is one of the most important tourist attractions in the North East of England and one of growing importance in the North West. It is a unique source of cultural and economic wealth.

"For an area already blighted by a serious decline in industry, the Foot and Mouth crisis of 2001 was an especially hard blow. Despite the serious loss of income to the area it has highlighted the importance of the tourism industry to the local economy and its regenerative powers.

"We were pleased to launch our six year "Hadrian's Wall Enrichment and Enterprise" initiative last year with £1.6 million from the Government Single Regeneration Budget through One NorthEast and are working with partners on sustainable tourism, transport, arts, education and community projects linked with the Management Plan.

"One of the key elements of the Management Plan is to encourage sustainable access to and within the World Heritage Site which means actively encouraging visitors not to rely on their cars. This year, the increased service on the Hadrian's Wall Bus Service, AD122, has given people from Tyneside and the less able bodied access to public transport to visit any part of the Wall. And for the first time in May 2003, the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail, will provide a footpath for the entire length of the Wall from Segedunum in the east to Bowness on Solway in the West.

"Hadrian's Wall provides a link between east and west, between town and country, between local communities and visitors from home and abroad, it is vital that everyone has the facilities to enjoy and understand the culture of this stunning part of our heritage."

The Management Plan policies will be implemented by a dedicated committee chaired by Sue Underwood, North East regional commissioner for English Heritage and the Director of the North East Museums, Libraries and Archives Commission.