Oaklands College: £62 million work on St Albans campus closes footpath

The public bridleway, near North Drive, has been closed to ensure public safety during the construction work.

In the meantime, a number of temporary routes through the campus have been created, to allow access between Sandpit Lane and Hatfield Road.

What is being constructed at Oaklands College?

Four phases of construction have been taking place by 2018. (Image: Google Maps)

Four phases of construction have been taking place at the site since 2018.

Firstly, a two-storey residential homestead was completed in July 2020, offering accommodation for 80 students.

Phase two saw 'The Evolution Centre' - a teaching block including 49 new clasrooms - open in late 2021.

Phase three began this year (2023) and sees the construction of a new sports pavilion, housing six new changing rooms and specialist facilities.

A construction centre with "industry-standard" workshops is also being created.

Phase three is due to completed in August 2024.

Finally, phase four will see a new 'Gateway' created, featuring a Learning Resource Centre, reception, café and supported learning facilities.

Construction on the gateway will begin between 2024 and 2025.

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New routes through the campus

Temporary routes through Oaklands College's St Albans campus. (Image: Loudbird PR / Oaklands College)Two new temporary footpaths have been created across Oaklands College's St Albans campus.

Claire Dolan, deputy principal strategy, partnership and business development, Oaklands College, said: "Oaklands College is carrying out extensive building works and to ensure the public's safety, Hertfordshire County Council has agreed to close the current footpaths.

"We do appreciate that local residents enjoy using the paths across campus, and, while we have been rushing to open alternative pathways for them to use, we have not been as fast to do this or communicate to residents as we would have liked.

"We would like to apologise for that.

The path has been closed by Hertfordshire County Council, following a request by Hertfordshire County Council. (Image: Supplied)
"However the reopening of these picturesque alternative routes through ancient woodland and, soon, the section past our stables, will provide a delightful new green route from Hatfield Road on the south-west of the campus to Sandpit Lane in the north, and from Hatfield road on the southeast of the campus to Oaklands Lane at the eastern edge.

"Residents who wish to get in touch about this issue should contact us on the following email address: community@oaklands.ac.uk."

Ash Bhardwaj, director of estates at Oaklands College, added: "These are historic paths that have been re-established.

The path has been closed for public safety. (Image: Supplied)

"In reopening them, we have been extremely mindful of our commitment to sustainability and the environment.

"No woodland has been taken, no trees removed or damage done to animal habitats.

"We have also added additional drainage along these paths and have an extensive plan to increase the biodiversity in the woodland, and plant additional trees and shrubs as part of our commitment to our environmental and sustainability strategy.

"Last year the college planted an additional 450 trees and shrubs as part of the Queen's Green Canopy project, and will be doing more this academic year.

"We would be really pleased to talk to our community groups as we continue to improve our facilities and environmental projects on the site."