15 Mar 2024
A residents’ group has condemned damage to the Grade I listed Abbey Gateway caused by a forklift truck transporting components from the recent University of Hertfordshire graduation ceremonies.
The incident, on March 6, saw the truck becoming stuck and hitting one side of the stonework, before shedding its load over the roadway and blocking access to Abbey Mill Lane for over half an hour.
John Hedges, chair of Abbey Precinct Residents Association (APRA) said: “This type of incident, with damage to historic fabric, was entirely foreseeable and was foreseen by residents.
“Heavily laden articulated lorries are used to transport the building components through the Gateway, with telehoists used to unload them over the wall.
“The dangers and potential for damage were obvious. They were raised in correspondence with the University and Cathedral authorities prior to the current event, as well as later with St Albans School and Historic England.
“The Cathedral may be an ideal location for graduation ceremonies but it’s patently obvious that the Abbey Orchard is completely unsuitable for all the auxiliary activities (gown hire, photography, reception, refreshments and loos) that require so many, some very large, temporary buildings for so long. Access could hardly be worse, as evidenced by the damage to historic fabric.”
In a joint statement, St Albans Cathedral and the University of Hertfordshire said: “Unfortunately, on Tuesday March 6, a vehicle supporting the pack-down of the University’s latest graduation ceremony caused a small amount of damage to the Abbey Gateway. We are now working closely together to investigate the circumstances around this incident.”
