23 Aug 2024
Hopes that the closed footpath from St Michael’s village into Verulamium Park would be re-opening soon have been dashed by SADC.
The route from St Michael’s Street into Bell Meadow was shut for safety reasons back in May, after the footpath became slippery due to flooding from the River Ver, although access remained open via the Verulamium Museum entrance.
This week Cllr Helen Campbell, who chairs the public realm committee which has responsibility for parks, told the St Albans Times: “We have no choice but to keep the St Michael’s Street entrance to Verulamium Park closed.
“Although the footpath is no longer flooded, an inspection has revealed it has been undermined and is a health and safety risk.
“The path through Bell Meadow will need to be replaced which will be a complex and financially challenging task.
“We are now looking, together with partners, at the best options for a new path in an area which is a designated flood plain.
“Funding will also have to be secured and a Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent obtained from Historic England.
“All of this work will take some time, so we are sorry to say that we have not been able to schedule a re-opening date.”
Cllr Campbell added: “We recognise the importance of our beautiful park to local residents and to visitors. It recently won two Green Flag Awards, can be accessed by various other entrances and is enjoyed by hundreds of people every day.
“The right solution for the Bell Meadow path needs to be sustainable and long-term and that’s what we will continue to work towards.”
Cllr Campbell added: “We recognise the importance of our beautiful park to local residents and to visitors. It recently won two Green Flag Awards, can be accessed by various other entrances and is enjoyed by hundreds of people every day.
“The right solution for the Bell Meadow path needs to be sustainable and long-term and that’s what we will continue to work towards.”
Green Party councillor Juliet Voisey said: “It’s disappointing to hear that the path through Bell Meadow is now totally compromised. The flooding there has been increasing year on year, with the path gradually wearing away at the edges. Perhaps if we had used sandbags or some flood defences earlier to try and mitigate or divert some of the flooding it may have helped to keep the path safe.
“It looks unlikely from this update that the St Michael’s entrance will reopen this year, especially with autumn and winter seasons approaching. It now seems a good time to suggest a meeting of the River Ver working group; to put Bell Meadow at the top of the agenda and make sure we get it right for the future.”
