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The spot where the hugely popular Greenwich Meridian Line was first recognised has become a victim of its own success and will have to start charging tourists to fund improvements needed to combat 'wear and tear'. The World Heritage Site has announced that it will begin charging visitors ￡10 from March to plug a funding gap for essential maintenance to the historic attraction. The Meridian Line marks the official starting point for each new day and year and has served as the marker for Greenwich Mean Time since the late 19th Century. It is also the boundary between the eastern and western hemispheres of the earth.
The landmark has seen its popularity soar in the last decade, with the number of visitors quadrupling to 1.58m, putting it among London's top ten attractions.
Visitor numbers will most likely increase again in 2012, as the equestrian events of the Olympic Games are being held in nearby Greenwich Park, prompting tourists to take the opportunity to explore the National Maritime Museum and Astronomy Centre, which are part of the same site.
The charges will come in on March 8 this year, with adults paying ￡10 and concessions ￡7.50. Children under the age of 16 will still be able to visit for free, as will members.
Entrance to the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and Royal Observatory Astronomy Centre will also remain free of charge.
The Meridian Line's worries about the effect of its popularity are echoed by many other popular attractions around the world.
Officials are worried that the 2,500 people walking over the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu every day are causing irreversible damage and a wall collapse in the ancient Italian city of Pompeii has prompted fears about its preservation.
Independent travel magazine Wanderlust also reported that the Great Wall of China is often damaged as tourists try to remove stones for souvenirs.
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