§ Mr. Peter Atkinson (Hexham)I have the honour to present a petition protesting against a plan by the Countryside Commission to create a Hadrian's Wall national trail. It is signed by more than 1,600 people in my constituency, all of them either residents, farmers, landowners or those who have an educational or commercial interest in the wall and the surrounding area. They protest that the trail is planned to cater for more than 200,000 people per annum, on top of the very many who already visit the site, causing considerable problems and financial loss, particularly to farmers in the area. They further protest that the Countryside Commission's consultation paper claims that most of those consulted agree with the commission's proposals, whereas in fact they do not. Finally, they express concern at the likely impact of this vast increase in tourism on a world heritage site, valued for its remoteness and isolated beauty.
Wherefore, your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will urge the Secretary of State for the Environment from proceeding with the aforementioned proposals, and your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.