Baldock bypass: Vandalism costs £100,000
13 October 2005
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| Some of the graffiti |
TWENTY-FOUR-hour security has been brought in to guard the multi-million-pound Baldock bypass construction project from trespassers and vandals who are risking their lives.
The move comes after a number of serious incidents and a catalogue of criminal damage valued at £100,000.
During one incident a vehicle rolled down into a chalk pit and the driver had to arrange to have it dragged out.
People have also been spotted riding trials bikes and quad bikes over the steeply banked and dangerous terrain.
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| A damaged vehicle |
Vandals have also smashed thick glass in a door linking the two tunnels which would be used as safety exits in any emergency, smashed windscreens on construction vehicles, torched a £60,000 vehicle, ripped out high tech equipment from vehicle cabs and daubed the bridge at the Bygrave end of the bypass with obscene graffiti.
Police are also examining a video taken by a local resident of quad bikes and trials machines speeding over the works.
"It has come to the point where we need full-time security on the site because of what has been happening," said Barry Anderson, Hertfordshire's County Council's project manager on the Baldock site.
"We have had too many incidents which cannot be ignored. The site is very dangerous and we want to make people aware that if they are caught they will be reported to the police and could face prosecution.
"Graffiti on the Bygrave bridge means we are going to have to clean it off and put on an anti-graffiti coating which we hadn't planned to do."
Contractors Norwest Holst say the site is dangerous especially after dark.
Tony Hogan, project manager with Norwest Holst, said: "Yobs who come on to the site causing damage are a pain in the backside which is why we now have tighter security throughout what is a very large area.
"Vandals set fire to a truck worth £60,000 which was destroyed and there have been many other incidents on the site of blatant criminal damage.
"One night every vehicle had their windows smashed which meant we lost over a day's work while the glass was replaced.
"Unfortunately the terrain is attractive to bikers and people with 4x4s but hopefully the tightening of security will bring a halt to our problems."
One police officer who has seen the video shot by a local resident said a number of people had been identified and would be interviewed. Also several people had been spoken to about trespassing on the site.
"Some have had warnings and if they are caught again they will go before the courts," he said.
The tightening of security comes at a time when the building of the bypass is ahead of schedule. It is due to be open early next year.
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