Urgent work on Hadrian’s Wall restoration project

Nov 13 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

PRESERVATON work is taking place at the double on a key stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. And the £200,000 project at Great Chesters Farm near Haltwhistle in Northumberland is a tale of two walls.

An 800-metre line of the monument through the farm – which occupies the site of a fort – is one of the best sections of near-original Wall.

It has been cocooned by a 19th Century drystone wall which was built on top of the Roman version as a stock barrier.

But now the drystone wall has largely fallen down and the weather is washing away the lime mortar from exposed Roman stonework.

The scheme will consolidate the Roman stretch and rebuild the drystone wall, which also acts as a boundary of an adjacent whin grassland site of special scientific interest.

As well as the historical benefits, the project will also protect the nature site from livestock.

The stretch, part of which stands up to 6ft in height, is alongside the Hadrian’s Wall national trail.

The work will be funded through Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, which is part of Defra’s agri-environment incentives programme.

Dr Tom Gledhill, Natural England’s historic buildings adviser, said: “Thanks to this special project, we can not only save one of the finest sections of the Roman Wall, but also safeguard a wealth of wall-side wildlife.

“Much of Hadrian’s Wall was consolidated or rebuilt in the 19th Century but this is one of the few places where you can see original Wall exposed.

“But with the lime mortar being washed out, the Wall is in imminent danger of starting to collapse.

“We are rebuilding the drystone wall on top of Hadrian’s Wall because it has been there historically.”

Natural England is cooperating with English Heritage, Northumberland National Park and Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd on the project.

Mike Collins, Hadrian’s Wall archaeologist at English Heritage, said: “This section of Hadrian’s Wall is a fantastic survival from our Roman past, and one which allows us to see the detail of the original Roman construction work on the Wall. Its condition has long been of concern, leading to its inclusion on our Heritage at Risk Register, and it is therefore very welcome that these repairs are now taking place. This major piece of conservation work will ensure the Wall’s survival for the future, while preserving its authentic Roman feel.”

Natural England works actively to enhance the built and natural environment along Hadrian’s Wall and funds a number of important initiatives in the area to the tune of around £20m.