Second World War railway siding at Saffron Walden (EHER 40475)
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Summary
Railway sidings serving Second World War fuel storage depot.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TL 5538 3858 (346m by 65m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | SAFFRON WALDEN, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
2004. Desk-based assessment.
Restrictions regarding access into the grounds of two large commercial operations between Radwinter and Ashdon Roads prevented inspection of the railway cutting in this area. Map evidence shows that the branch line forked to the east at TL 553 386 to an Air Ministry sidings (EHER 40475), which was built in 1939, to serve massive underground fuel tanks (EHER 40476) stockpiling aviation fuel during World War II for the surrounding airfields at Debden, Hadstock etc.
The sidings/cutting, a network of internal roadways and six large subterranean tanks capped by earthen banks, still appear on contemporary aerial photographs, although at present completeness and levels of integrity remains unclear. <1>
Sources
- <1> SEX64753 Report: Garwood, A.. 2004. Saffron Walden-Bartlow Branch Line An Archaeological Assessment 2004.