Site of Second World War road barrier, west of Dykes Chase, London Road (EHER 20280)
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Summary
Now destroyed. The site of a 'rail and socket' road barrier which can be seen on an aerial photograph from 1944 as 13 concrete pimples.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TL 8445 0712 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | MALDON, MALDON, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
1999. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: site visit and desktop research.
Contemporary records state, 'Road block. London Road' and 'Road Barrier. Road No. N.909, Cemetery Hill, London Road. Map ref. 291256'. Source <1> lists a rail and socket road block at 'London Road (West of Dykes Chase)'. <1> <2>
An aerial photograph taken in 1944 shows 13 concrete pimples, in the typical staggered anti-tank pattern, on the south side of London Road at the top bend of a steep hill. These concrete fixtures would have formed the permanent element of the barrier - cut off lengths of upright railway line, dropped into steel sockets, being the removable element across the road itself. <3>
There is now no signs of any remains at this location. <4>
Sources
- <1> SEX59666 Monograph: Finch, P.. 1951. Warmen Courageous; The Story of the Essex Home Guard. Appendix E p. 322.
- <2> SEX31436 LIST: Essex County Council. 1968. War Time Contraventions. Maldon.
- <3> SEX62469 Aerial Photograph: USAAF. 1944. US - 7GR - LOC 349.
- <4> SEX70631 Report: Nash, F.. 2010. Survey of World War Two Defences in the District of Maldon: Volume Two.