Hemel Hempstead sculpture rises from the ashes of Buncefield blast

Eighteen months after one of the largest peacetime explosions in history, Maylands Partnership is to unveil Phoenix Gateway, a steel sculpture adjacent to the site of the Buncefield Oil Depot disaster, which is set to become the landmark for Hemel Hempstead.

The series of blue steel arches, rising to 10m, create a powerful piece of commercial art in the roundabout of the Hemel Hempstead junction of the M1. The structure will act as a gateway to Maylands Business Park and the town of Hemel Hempstead, which was seriously disrupted by the Buncefield blast in December 2005.

Reinforcing the Maylands Partnerships commitment to local providers, The Dacorum Arts Forum was briefed to produce a piece of commercial art to help attract inward investment to the business area. Econovate, based in Hemel Hempstead, were selected to design and produce the art not only because of their ability to meet the demands of the brief but their commitment to delivering projects with an environmental scope using modern construction materials and techniques.

The structural engineering is being carried out by Sir Robert McAlpine Design Group who are based in Maylands. Chief Engineer on the project, Suqlain Mahmood, describing the sculpture’s design said, “It’s non conventional and truly unique, stretching the limits of existing principles and methods of structural design, blending the science and art of engineering and design.”

Funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and supported by Dacorum Borough Council, Phoenix Gateway is designed as the focal point in attracting business and investment to the area. Marking the beginning of the regeneration and raising the profile of Hemel Hempstead as a town for the future and a great place to do business, the sculpture is to be officially named to the public on Friday 7th September*.

The name, ‘Phoenix Gateway’, the winning suggestion of Jon Rollit of Berkhamsted, was chosen from suggestions made by local residents to a panel of judges drawn from the Maylands Partnership, Dacorum Borough Council and the Dacorum Arts Forum. Mr Rollit will be guest of honour at the unveiling.

Commenting on the sculpture Daniel Zammit, CEO, Dacorum Borough Council said, “The Phoenix Gateway is not only a symbol of the rebirth of Hemel Hempstead's business quarter, it also marks the start of a new and confident era for all the people who live and work here.”

The piece will help shape the image and rebranding of Maylands. It heralds the start of a new strategic phase towards regeneration and the completion of the Master Plan for the area which aspires to take the business park into the future as the destination of choice for business. Hemel’s future prosperity will be greatly enhanced by the commercial success of Maylands and improving the appearance and status of the area will help to retain existing businesses and attract new ones. The artwork underlines the regeneration of the town and increases the profile of Hemel Hempstead as a town for the future.