Jo welcomes Antonine Wall heritage nomination

11.09.42am GMT Wed 24th Jan 2007

Jo Swinson has welcomed the Government's decision to nominate the Antonine Wall for World Heritage Site status.

If the bid is successful, the Wall, which marks the north-west boundary of the Roman Empire, will join the 24 existing UK World Heritage sites.

Jo said:

"The nomination for the Antonine Wall to receive UNESCO World Heritage status is great news for East Dunbartonshire. The area contains a tangible piece of Roman history and it is right that we draw attention to it.

"I am pleased the Government has recognised the need to protect and manage one of the most significant remaining Roman structures. Achieving World Heritage status for the Antonine Wall will mean that it will be preserved for many generations to come."

Hadrian's Wall was granted World Heritage status in 1988 and is often wrongly believed to be as far north as the Roman Empire ventured in Britain. In fact, the Antonine Wall, a very different structure to Hadrian's Wall, marks the most northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

Related Links:

Roman Britain: The Antonine Wall

UNESCO