North Tyneside Council opens consultation on proposals to improve Segedunum

North Tyneside Council is asking residents for their views on proposed improvements to Segedunum Roman Fort - part of North Tyneside's prized UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to the local authority, over the next five years, the council and Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM) are looking to "improve Segedunum to make it an even better place to visit" and keep the attraction popular. Residents have until October 28 to complete a survey, which can be found on the council's Our North Tyneside Voice site, with ideas on how to improve the museum.

The proposed ideas range from tours into the Roman bathhouse, digital displays in the viewing tower, and events and demonstrations in historical dress. In addition, residents can have their say on proposed picnic areas and their thoughts on "evening entertainment" like live music.

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It has not been plain sailing for the UNESCO World Heritage site this year, however. In February 2024, there were calls for more surveillance of the museum following reports its roof had been stripped for valuable metals like copper and lead by thieves. It was reported to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it had suffered thefts since July 2023.

The result damage was also reported to have created leaks into the building. By March this year, plans had been submitted for permanent repairs to be made to the museum, linked to a £499,000 grant from Arts Council England. Permission to begin repairs was granted by North Tyneside Council in early June.

Segedunum was listed as an ancient monument in 1982 and five years later was included as a World Heritage Site. According to TWAM, the site has seen almost 1m visitors since it opened in June 2000.

The fort originally formed part of Hadrian's Wall, intended to guard the eastern section and housed around 600 Roman soldiers.