Hadrian's Wall damage found after tree cut down

By Samantha JaggerBBC News

Damage to Hadrian's Wall has been found after the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree was felled beside it, Historic England said.

The Northumberland landmark was chopped down one week ago and has since lain on part of the 73-mile (118km) wall.

Hadrian's Wall was constructed by the Romans between AD122 and AD130 and has Unesco World Heritage Site status.

Historic England said experts were due to carry out archaeological appraisals to assess the extent of the damage.

The tree, which used to grow in a natural dip in the landscape near Hexham, Northumberland, was cut down overnight on 27 September.

The National Trust, which looks after the site with the Northumberland National Park Authority, said it was planted in the late 1800s.

It stood beside the ancient structure, which stretches from Tyneside to the Solway Firth.

Historic England said experts visited the site on Friday and it "identified that Hadrian's Wall has sustained some damage".

A spokesman said: "We have not yet been able to access the site to carry out a full investigation so a further archaeological appraisal will take place once the site is considered safe."

"We appreciate how strongly people feel about the loss of the tree, and its impact on this special historic landscape, and will continue to work closely with key partners as this progresses," he added.

The route is known to many walkers, especially those hiking the Hadrian's Wall Path.

The Northumberland National Park Authority said the site was its "most-photographed spot", as its felling led to an outpouring of anger and astonishment.

Hexham Conservative MP Guy Opperman said people he had spoken with were "utterly stunned" and "devastated" at the damage, and described the sycamore as a "symbol of the North East".

A man in his 60s and a 16-year-old boy who were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

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