Latest news with #Redbourn
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Redbourn traveller caravans hit by fire were too close together
Caravans at a council-run traveller site that were severely damaged by fire were situated too close together, according to evidence seen by the of the 18 plots at the Ver Meadows site in Redbourn were destroyed on 12 County Council said "to our knowledge" all the dwellings were more than six metres apart, but the BBC measured some separated by no more than 80cm (31in).Myles Cash, who had relatives at Ver Meadows, claimed the council knew several pitches had up to three homes and that the size of pitches meant the distances could not be maintained. "People could have lost their lives here," said Mr happened could have been "like a Grenfell Tower of travellers", he was hurt in the fire, but several dogs died. A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson told the BBC: "To our knowledge all of the dwellings were over six metres apart."If residents had chalets [or] caravans delivered without our knowledge, we would address this as a breach in the mobile homes act."However, by examining the concrete and metal foundations of the burnt-out properties, the BBC measured a distance of no more than 80cm (31in) between some caravans and homes situated immediately the other side of the perimeter wooden Mobile Homes Act 2013 states: "No caravan shall be stationed less than six metres from any other caravan on any other pitch."The council wrote letters to all travellers across Hertfordshire in November: "We are aware that some pitches have more than two [caravans] and we will not be forcing you to remove any."Mr Cash said the size of the pitches did not allow for six metres' clearance once a second caravan was parked on them, meaning the fire could spread council letter, seen by the BBC, continued: "We are aware that, due to the shortage of available pitches, many families are 'doubled up'."Whilst this is not ideal, we will not be forcing families to move off the site and make them homeless." 'Close-knit' Hertfordshire County Council manages 202 Gypsy and traveller pitches, across 11 were 35 families living on the 15 pitches that were destroyed in the Cash continued: "The council won't build any new sites and they won't let us extend our own sites."He said he and his family had offered to rehome residents from Ver Meadows themselves."We are a close-knit community and we'll try and help each other the best we can." The council said residents were "aware" of the fire safety regulations they had "signed up" Mr Cash pointed out that some travellers cannot read the guidance."The people who live here pay rent and council tax just like anyone else, but because they're illiterate they can't complain or raise awareness, and they're scared to speak out or they might lose their home," he said."One lady signed a form saying that she understood the council will need to check the placement of an extra mobile home... but looking at the aerial photo, her van was right next to a neighbouring static home." An independent report into the fire, by engineering consultancy firm Burgoynes, concluded the cause of the blaze was a "human act" but that crews faced delays in extinguishing it."There were difficulties getting appliances on to the site owing to the number of vehicles exiting via the only access road," said the also said a fire hydrant on the site "did not give the flow required for dealing with a fire of such rapid development and extent".Claire Rice is from GATE Herts Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment, which is a local said conditions on the site allowed the flames to spread unchecked "until it took eight fire engines to finally bring it under control"."This isn't just about Ver Meadows," said Ms Rice."This is about a wider system that too often neglects Gypsy and traveller communities — treating their housing as temporary, their safety as an afterthought, and their voices as disposable." A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said: "Sites are monitored, and advice given to residents, where caravans are too close together in contravention of fire safety regulations and the six-metre rule between caravans in the Mobile Homes Act."They continued: "We would encourage residents to advise us on when they have new caravans arriving so we can advise on whether this meets regulations."Where appropriate to do so, we have taken action to address safety concerns."The council said it was housing Ver Meadows residents at nearby hotels and was looking for alternative sites for the has provided supermarket vouchers and a one-off emergency payment to residents of £200 per pitch. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Council saddened after fire destroys site used by travellers
A senior council officer said the authority was "deeply saddened" after a caravan site was left badly damaged by a Fire and Rescue Service was called to the Ver Meadows site near Redbourn in Hertfordshire at about 15:05 BST on fire was out by 22:30, but 15 of the 18 camping pitches were hit. Hertfordshire County Council's Scott Crudgington, deputy chief executive and executive director of resources, said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the "devastating fire". He added: "I would also like to reassure those affected that we at Hertfordshire County Council, alongside our partners at St Albans District Council, stand by you and will be supporting you."Since the fire, a range of organisations, including St Albans District Council and Hertfordshire County Council, have been working with those affected to ensure they are temporarily rehoused and their needs are met. "We will continue to help them as they begin the gradual process of rebuilding their lives." Redbourn Parish Council has set up an online fundraiser as it attempts to collect £5,000 for site users.A spokesperson said the council had been "overwhelmed" with "requests from local residents to support our Redbourn traveller community".Within two days, 115 people had donated a total of about £4,000. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Bypass closed off as crews battle caravan park fire
An investigation is under way after a fire broke out on a caravan emergency services were called to reports of a fire at the Ver Meadows caravan site near Redbourn in Hertfordshire at about 15:05 BST on Redbourn bypass - the A5183 - has been closed in both directions due to smoke. There are no reports of Gibbons, head of operation response for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, thanked members of the public who phoned in, adding: "I would advise people living nearby to keep their windows closed due to the smoke, and I would ask that people avoid the area while our crews deal with the incident." The fire service confirmed it sent eight engines to the scene and scaled it back to four on Saturday were expected to remain on scene for several hours and would continue "a series of programmed re-inspections to ensure the fire is fully extinguished", a spokesperson added. They said further investigations would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Redbourn Bowls Club to hold free disability bowls taster day
A stroke survivor said playing bowls has improved her confidence and Griffin described how her "life fell apart" at age 47 when she collapsed at her home in Redbourn, Hertfordshire.A stroke left her with weakness on her left side and she was later diagnosed with functional tremors in both hands and neuropathic pain in both now 51-year-old said despite being one of the youngest on her team the sport helped her through isolation and she encouraged others to give it a go. 'Flourished' Ms Griffin had her stroke in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and felt she did not have much medical said she lost her job, lost a lot of her friends, was unable to drive and about a year later fell into deep depression."I met Headway [a brain injury charity] in 2021 and they seem to help and got me wanting to get out a bit more, so I went up to the Redbourn Bowls Club."Since August 2022 I've been a member which has been great because it's helped me with my balance, it's helped me open up a bit more and be able to talk about my stroke."After an event with the Watford bowls club Ms Griffin met and played with the Disability Bowls England team and took advice on mobility aids to use while playing."I found that really helpful because I saw people with other disabilities and I thought to myself it's good, it gets people out and mentally and physically it does help," she added."I've flourished in Redbourn Bowls Club. I was in an internal competition last year… it gives me an incentive to actually improve and try and help myself."It's good to have a positive thing come out of it even if it is just something little like playing bowls." Redbourn Bowls Club will host a free taster lawn bowls day alongside Headway Herts at the club on 2 Johnson, the secretary of the the Watford and District Bowling Association, hoped it would introduce more people disabilities or brain injuries to said of the nearly 3,000 lawn bowls clubs in England each with about 100 members, there were only 250 registered disabled bowlers eligible to play for England."This event is to highlight the disparity in those figures and encourage more participation allowing for competition to be included at a grass roots level."The plan is to introduce the game to people, get them playing and hopefully think about attending and competing in the National ABI Games in August."He continued: "These events are few and far between and the divide between registered disability bowls players and ordinary players is so massive it's not even a drop in the ocean."Desperately we need something to be done about it because there are so many people missing out doing something that could enhance their lives." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
