LOCAL MPs CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL ANTONINE WALL WORLD HERITAGE BID

Scottish MPs today welcomed the decision of the World Heritage committee of UNESCO to grant the Antonine Wall â€“ the Roman frontier in Scotland â€“ world heritage site status.

The campaign to get world heritage status for the wall, which runs across central Scotland, was spearheaded by the UK Labour government in 2003. Labour-led local authorities in Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire have worked closely with Labour MPs and MSPs for the area to support and champion the bid over recent years.

Des Browne MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said “The Antonine Wall’s inscription on the World Heritage List is no mean achievement and one which is richly deserved. It has been the result of much hard work since the UK government launched the bid in 2003 and all those involved, from local authorities to the heritage organisations which manage the site can be justly proud of the international accolade.”

Member of Parliament for Linlithgow and Falkirk East, Michael Connarty, said: “I look forward to seeing the Antonine Wall at last on the maps as the Northern boundary of the Roman Empire and congratulate Falkirk Council’s Heritage Committee Chair Adrian Mahoney and Falkirk Council. It has been a pleasure to have campaigned with them to win this recognition."

MP for Falkirk, Eric Joyce, added: “This is very good news for Falkirk, where we're all immensely proud of having a key part of such an important historical feature".