Early Morning on the Heath
Remedial works on the Lower Field
Work started this week to restore the Lower Field. The photo on the left shows how it looked after the Fontmell/Bridle Close sinkhole episode and the photo on the right shows how things are beginning to look now. Photos: MN Peter Bone, Senior Surveyor – Public Sector Services, Lambert Smith Hampton writes:
I should like to let you know that remediation works to the area of ground that was disturbed by the original temporary access route to Fontmell Close and Bridle Close will be commencing next week. The works will comprise levelling of the rutted areas and cultivating the topsoil ready for grass seeding.
The reinstatement area will need to be temporarily fenced off with cones and tape whilst the works are carried out, and the fencing will be left in place after the area has been seeded to give the new grass a chance to establish itself. The advice we have on that is that it would be best if the reinstated area could be left for the grass to re-establish the root system until May 2017 if possible. It would therefore be helpful if you could help to let users of the field know that a period for the grass cover to regenerate itself will be beneficial in the longer term.
We are also arranging for other works such as grass cutting, weed spraying, and a tidying-up of branches across the larger field area.
Objects left on the Lower Field
Friends of Bernards Heath met with representatives of St Albans District Council and councillors Roma Mills and Richard Curthoys to review the current condition of the Lower Field. The new road across the field from the old fire station works well, but many objects have been left, seemingly at random, which make the area look untidy and in some areas, dangerous. It is hoped that contractors will be able to tidy up in the near future.
Continue reading “Objects left on the Lower Field”Rainbow over Bernards Heath
Does the rainbow over the Lower Field herald a change in the very mild weather we’ve had of late? Well, the temperature today (7 January) dropped to a maximum of 9°C, by contrast with the run of mild and dull weather over November and December (average 12°C). Our rainfall totals over these months were unexceptional compared with the north of England and Scotland.
Photo: PC.
Fontmell/Bridle Close access update 3
Still digging – efforts continue to ease access for residents of Fontmell and Bridle Close. Mud has been a real problem and now a third almost diagonal track is being developed across the Lower Field, this time with a more substantial base of sand and gravel, similar to that used on the Green Ring. It will be accessed through the old Fire Station Grounds.
Fontmell/Bridle Close access update
While the unresolved problem of the sinkhole, or crown hole, has been less prominent in the news of late, activity has been focused on access for residents of Fontmell Close and Bridle close. It is still a very muddy, but at least residents have been connected to essential utilities. A shuttle service truck is shown alongside.
Access on foot has been improved by the extending the footpath from the children’s play area to the end of Bridle Close, but rain has made vehicular access a real problem.
Continue reading “Fontmell/Bridle Close access update”Fontmell Close access problems
No doubt you were wondering what this is. It’s the mud that residents of Fontmell Close and Bridle Close have to cope with to access their homes. A temporary road made of large plastic panels has been installed across the Lower Field to provide access to the houses that are still unreachable due to the sinkhole (geological term ‘crown hole’).
Ariston Site and Lower Field Update
These gateposts are one of the few reminders of the Ariston tallow works on the Heath, a site that has been under consideration for residential development for some time.
In January 2013 Hertfordshire County Council, HCC, announced its decision to sell the former Ariston site, including the Lower Field of Bernards Heath. HCC subsequently decided to offer the site for sale with planning permission in place for residential development and the relocation of existing community uses. Following discussions between HCC and St Albans District Council, SADC, a public exhibition of the planning proposals was held in December 2013 and January 2014.
Continue reading “Ariston Site and Lower Field Update”