Townscape Products has completed a project with York Minster to develop and install counter terror security blocks to protect the building from the threat of vehicle borne attacks. Townscape has installed 12 PAS 68 certified counter terror blocks at the Minster’s West End. The Home Office approved blocks are cast with sands which have been blended to ensure they perfectly match the architecture of the building.
York Minster is open every day for sightseeing as well as regular services, events and concerts with more than two million visitors from all over the world passing through every year. Jonathan Goss, managing director at Townscape Products, said: “This iconic landmark required a solution to protect visitors from vehicle borne attacks at its west entrance. It was essential that we came up with a security system which blended in perfectly with the existing architecture of this landmark and we also had to ensure that no archaeology was disturbed whilst we completed the project. The west entrance now has secure protection against vehicle borne attacks.”
Townscape’s CT blocks are already in use at a number of locations, including 20 Fenchurch Street and the Titanic Centre in Belfast. York’s cathedral, although known as a minster, is officially the “Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York.” It is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe and one of the UK’s most visited attractions.