IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Inkerman Road, ST. ALBANS, AL1 3BB

Just like nearby Image Inkerman Road was named by the Victorians to celebrate a victory in the Crimean War. The Battle of Inkerman was fought on 5 November 1854 and resulted in success for an Anglo-French force under Lord Raglan's command who defeated a Russian army. Inkerman does not seem to have been regarded as popular as Alma though by the street-naming fraternity and StreetMap throws up just 8 other Inkerman Roads in the country. However the hat factory predates all this having been built around 1825, and the photograph illustrates how industry and homes must have existed cheek by jowl in those days. But modern controversy gives two twists to the story of Inkerman Road. Firstly the hat factory was the last surviving one in St Albans and when it came up for sale in 2006 the local arts group wanted to buy it as a studio, it being eminently suitable for their needs with its large windows giving lots of natural light. Despite alleged requests from the local arts group to give them time to raise the necessary funds, the local council reputedly sold the property to a private developer who converted it into flats. Secondly various properties on the right side of the road, unseen in the photo, have been bought through the years by Tesco who have plans to use a large former industrial site nearby on London Road for a supermarket. Those plans appear to be currently stalled and the boarded up houses have now been squatted, much to the concern of the local permanent residents.

Early Victorian housing (some now in commercial use) in Lattimore Road, by its junction with London Road.

Also, to the left, Lattimore Hall, which appears to be a gospel hall.

1980s offices at the junction of Lattimore Road and London Road, built on the site of the former Crystal Palace pub.

Development of 52 townhouses and 28 apartments in London Road completed in 2018 on the site of a former print works.

Development of 52 townhouses and 28 apartments in London Road completed in 2018 on the site of a former print works.

Large-scale redevelopment taking place, seen from Alma Road. Originally bought by Tesco's to erect a large store, the arguments for and against had blighted the area for some years with an impact on existing housing in London Road in particular. Strong representations by residents and others resulted in the supermarket being rejected and the area is being developed with relatively modest housing. Part of the site used to be Evershed's* Printing Works, with an interesting 1930s building, which, alas, has not been retained. (*I think I have the right name but stand to be corrected as I couldn't find any of my St Albans guides to remind me!) A more recent picture shows the building that now occupies this area - see Image

Development of 52 townhouses and 28 apartments in London Road completed in 2018 on the site of a former print works.