9.17.1 Hadrian's Wall, part of which is contained within the southern boundary of the Borough, is increasingly being used for long distance walks. Although walkers can gain access to parts of the Wall and to many sites along public footpaths, the footpath network does not adequately meet the present needs of walkers. No continuous right of way close to the Wall exists, and visitors who set out to walk the Wall have to do so by using the busy and dangerous B6318 Military Road, hence there is a need for a long distance footpath to run in close proximity to the Wall. This will not only form the basis for safe and convenient access to the Wall, but help to reduce the amount of damage to local farms from trespassers.

9.17.2 The concept of a long distance footpath appeared in outline in the Strategy for Hadrian's Wall published in 1984 by the Hadrian's Wall Consultative Committee. Following on from this document, the former Countryside Agency appointed a Hadrian's Wall Footpath Project Officer, whose brief was to identify a continuous safe and convenient route close to the line of the Wall. Work has now begun on such a route with the publication of "The Hadrian's Wall Path Proposed National Trail" in 1990 which identified the line of the preferred route. The Council in association with the Countryside Agency and other interested parties will support the development of such a footpath.