Second World War Pillbox by Powdermill Cut, Royal Gunpowder Mills (EHER 10079)

A Type FW3/24 hexagonal, brick and reinforced concrete pillbox. It faced west across the river known as the Powdermill Cut. It was converted for use as a bat box by Lee Valley Regional Park. Slits have been left at the bottom of each embrasure to allow the bats to go in and out. Hexagonal pillbox with seven embrasures. Brick-shuttered. All the embrasures have been blocked up and the entrance has been fitted with a metal grill. It is located west of Waltham Abbey, between Hall Marsh and Hooks Marsh.

A Type FW3/24 hexagonal, brick and concrete pillbox facing west across the river known as the Powdermill Cut. <1> Clearly this was once one of the defensive measures built to guard the Royal Gunpowder Mills 150 yards to the east, but it has now been converted to protect bats. The Lee Valley Country Park commission have bricked-up the loopholes leaving a small access slit in each, barred the entrance, and erected a "bat hibernaculum" sign. The outer brickwork is coming away from the walls but otherwise the pillbox is in reasonable condition. Four photos of site. <2> Site Management: = Managed as a bat hibernaculum by Lee Valley Country Park.. Site Assessment = The pillbox has a distinct tilt to the east but appears to be in no danger of sinking completely. NRHE data transfer: Type 24 pillbox converted for use as a bat box. Conversion was undertaken by Lee Valley Regional Park. Type 24 pillbox, now sealed and converted to a bat sanctuary. Slits have been left at the bottom of each embrasure to allow the bats to go in and out.Hexagonal pillbox with seven embrasures. Brick-shuttered. All the embrasures have been blocked up and the entrance has been fitted with a metal grill: it is used now as a bat sanctuary. LOCATION: Hall Marsh, beside a footpath on bank of Powdermill Cut, Waltham Abbey. <3>