English Heritage has been working closely with St Edmundsbury Borough Council to protect and maintain the Abbey Gate in Bury St Edmunds.
The work to protect this important scheduled ancient monument starts on 21 February, is expected to last four weeks, and includes installing netting to prevent birds roosting and nesting inside the building.
During the first week of works, the Abbey Gate entrance to the AbbeyGardens will be closed while scaffolding is erected. It will also be closed for three days at the end for the scaffolding to be removed. During this time visitors will be able to use the entrance by the public toilets, a few yards from the Abbey Gate.
St Edmundsbury's Cabinet will be considering a report on Thursday 17 February which recommends spending £30,000 on improvements to the AbbeyGardens, including a wildlife sanctuary area and an alternative nesting site. The aim is to encourage feeding of birds in this area which will in turn, over a period of time, encourage them to use the dovecote to roost once the Abbey Gate netting and maintenance work has been completed. The wildlife area will be fully accessible to all ages and abilities.
ENDS
For more information about the Abbey Gate work contact Sophie Jepson at English Heritage on 0207 973 3294, mob 07786 198541.
ISSUED BY MARIANNE HULLAND, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757034. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
