Tank barred from Remembrance event by ‘health and safety’
THE city of Lincoln has long been recognised as the home of the tank; the place where the armoured vehicle that transformed modern warfare was first developed.
So it seemed fitting that there should have been plans for a replica of the Mark IV British tank to take part in the city’s Remembrance parade.
The tank’s presence would have served to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War’s Battle of Cambrai, when tanks were first used in mass formation.
But those plans have now been scrapped on health and safety grounds, after fears the 26ft long, 30-ton vehicle might pose a danger to the public.
The replica tank’s makers pulled out of appearing at next Saturday’s parade after the City of Lincoln Council’s safety advisory group insisted they make key changes.
Dave Corby, a HGV lorry driver from Lincoln, said: “How can the council celebrate Lincoln as home of the tank and place the memorial on the uni roundabout and then refuse something that involves the tank in question?”
Josh Whiteley, who works at the Home Lincoln music venue and bar, added: “Quite ironic how the home of the tank can’t have a tank parade through the city centre.”
The replica Mark IV was built by Guy Martin, the motorbike racer and TV presenter, as part of a Channel 4 documentary about the development of the armoured vehicle. It is thought that the filming of sequences featuring the tank will take place in France instead. Simon Colburn, the council’s assistant director for health and environmental services, said: “We were very keen to bring Guy to Lincoln and did everything we could to make it happen.
“It would have been very positive for the city. At The Lincoln Safety Advisory Group meeting it was decided that the plan could not proceed safely in its current form and that changes would need to be made. It was then left with North One Television to revise their plans, and they decided not to proceed with filming.”
Tom Norton, from North One Television, the production team, said: “Following meetings with the local council and the emergency services, we have come to the difficult decision that it will not be possible to bring Guy’s tank to Lincoln city centre as part of our upcoming Channel 4 programme.”