OWNERSHIP of Hadrian’s Wall should be transferred to a single organisation to boost tourism, Parliament was told yesterday.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson made the call after highlighting how the Roman Wall and adjoining land has more than 125 different legal landowners.

He said transferring ownership to Hadrian’s Wall Heritage – the non-profit making company managing the wall – would enable the firm to build on its “extremely successful” work in developing it as a tourist attraction.

But the company said it had never sought single ownership and wanted to deepen a co-ordinated management approach. Tourism Minister John Penrose also suggested that was a better approach.

Mr Stevenson, who secured a Parliamentary debate on the issue yesterday, said: “It is hard to believe, but the wall and land which it adjoins have over 125 different legal owners.

“Some of these owners are private landowners, but many are public, whether they are councils, the National Trust, English Heritage or Hadrian’s Wall company itself.

“Unfortunately, the company is a very small landowner. Yet it is charged with promoting and caring for the Wall almost in its entirety.

“Would it not therefore make sense for much, if not all, of the ownership and the relevant surrounding land to be transferred into the company’s ownership?”

While it would not happen overnight, the Tory MP said it would allow the company to manage and promote the wall far more effectively.

He suggested public and private landowners could hand over their sites in the interests of preserving and promoting the wall as well as helping the economy and environment.

If that was a step too far, Mr Stevenson said they could lease their land or give over direct management to the company.

“The company would clearly have to accept responsibilities that go with ownership or control,” he said.

“But it would be fairer for them to have responsibility for preserving the wall and at the same time, the opportunity to generate some kind of income stream which can then be used to reinvest in the preservation and promotion of Hadrian’s Wall.”

Mr Stevenson also highlighted fears that any cuts to marketing for the wall would hit the local economy.

He urged Tourism Minister John Penrose to visit the area, see how the Government could help unify ownership and what financial support was available to the Hadrian’s Wall Heritage company.

Mr Penrose recognised the wall’s importance, saying: “There is plenty to be proud of, plenty to raise awareness of – as he said – plenty to shout about in terms of attracting more people to visit.”

But he questioned whether it was necessary to transfer land to a single company to make the wall a tourist success and whether it would fill a funding “gap” caused by reductions in public spending to tackle the national deficit.

Mr Penrose suggested local businesses and councils might fund joint marketing campaigns, with landowners working closely with Hadrian’s Wall Heritage.

Linda Tuttiett, chief executive of Hadrian’s Wall Heritage, said: “There is a need for strong co-ordinated management, but we have never suggested we should own the Wall.

“Hadrian’s Wall Heritage is keen to deepen the co-ordinated management approach and would appreciate further partnership development and support.

“This co-ordination has borne fruit with a growth in new businesses and occupancy levels along the Wall accommodation outpacing any other part of the North of England.”

The company had already brought and focused £20m of investment to improve the tourist experience over the past four years – with its work playing a central role in attracting a million visitors to sites and museums currently run by six public and charitable bodies.

But she stressed deeper co-operation, support and investment was needed to achieve the wall’s full economic potential and ensure it was self-sustaining.

The chief executive added: “Completing our strategy of transforming the interpretation, signage, animation and communications of the World Heritage Site will add an additional £304m to tourism spend across the North of England, generating 6,700 new jobs.”