Marc Flemming
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Registered: Jan 2003
Local time: 03:04 PM
Location: Santa Cruz
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Walkers will be able to follow the entire length of Hadrian's Wall in northern England for the first time in 1,600 years.
A signposted trail along the 84-mile Roman route from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend, Tyneside will open on Friday.
The Countryside Agency has developed 30 miles of new rights of way to follow the wall's path, along with new gates, footbridges and stiles.
The work has also opened up stretches of the World Heritage Site for disabled access.
Parts of the wall have always been open to the public, but since the Romans left there has been no unbroken right of way to follow its route.
The Countryside Agency has spent £6 million on developing the area for tourism - bringing employment to the rural economies of Northumberland and Cumbria.
Chief executive Richard Wakeford has spent the last week walking the Hadrian's Wall Path before the official opening ceremony at the Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend.
He predicts 20,000 people a year will walk the route by 2006, adding: "It's good news for holidaymakers, dedicated walkers and people who want a refreshing day out, and it is good news for local people who live and work along the wall."
David Taylor, owner of the 15th century Centre of Britain hotel in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, claimed the path would have as big an impact as the Romans had on the local economy.
He said: "The trail is the best thing to happen in this area since Hadrian's Wall was built. It has the potential to revolutionise the local economy."
Source: Ananova
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05-22-2003 05:21 PM
