Monument record MDO8701 - Anti-tank traps, Old Railway Goods Yard, Fairmile Road, Christchurch

Second World War tank traps in a former railway yard. A pillbox is incorporated into the line. The pillbox and anti tank traps are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP project.

World War II pillbox and tank traps in former railway yard north of town - scheduled. (1) 48 Anti tank blocks at SZ 156 934. 1 Pillbox at SZ 156 935. <2> These anti-tanks cubes formed part of the Christchurch 'anti-tank island', Christchurch was intended to be a centre of resistance, defended from tank attack, at a time of invasion. The inshore defence line was ready made in the form of the railway embankment and cuttings, reinforced where necessary by anti-tank obstacles. Other anti-tank flat-topped blocks continued this defence from the bank of the Avon to the bank of the Stour, north of the railway line, but have been removed. These defences had effectively made Christchurch a promontory fort again <3>. 31 x anti-tank blocks in a line parallel with the railway, and 9 running at an angle roughly parallel with Fairmile Road. A type 22 pillbox forms part of the first line [see UORN 13853]. Scheduled monument - pillbox and tank traps N of Christchurch in former railway yard. 5 or 6 anti-tank cubes in one line (approx. 3ft 6ins size), and 30 in another line. The cubes in this line are of variable height, some as high as 7ft, others not much more than 5ft. They are set corner to corner, with a constant spacing gap (some 3ft). Avon trading estate, near the Fairmile Road (B3073) and the railway, W of the River Avon. [with site location plan - Dennett SRF]. <4-6> The pillbox and anti tank traps are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP project <7 and 8>. In 1946 the line of anti tank traps ran between SZ 15647 93468 and SZ 15081 93107. Aerial photographs of the 1960s indicate the removal of traps at the southwest end of the line occurred between January and August 1962 <9 and 10>.

Record last edited

Nov 24 2023 7:32PM