Second World War roadblock, east of bridge, Duck Street (EHER 10218)

A Second World War road block is located on a bridge over the River Cam. It comprises two concrete anti-tank cubes, one either side of the lane at the eastern end of the bridge, which was also mined. Originally the two blocks would have supported a steel hawser which could be lowered for friendly traffic or fixed in the raised position as an anti tank obstacle. The western end of the bridge was defended by two pillboxes. The cubes now lay on their sides and the explosives have been removed from the bridge. The bridge is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941. It formed part of the Audley End Defence Area (Number 70) and the GHQ Line (Essex).

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Flanking the eastern side of the stone bridge across the River Cam are two large, 5' square x 6' high, concrete blocks lying on their sides. They originally would have formed the anchorage points for a bridge barrier, with a steel hawser stretched between, although it is not known whether they stood on the west or east side of the bridge. Two photos of site. <1> Two concrete blocks on their sides and about four feet square. The one to the right of the bridge has a large section of the bridge has a large section of metal bar protruding possibly 'T' sectioned. At the other end is another pipe but contains only concrete. The second block has slipped further down the bank but is basically the same size but without the metal bar in the top. Next to a small bridge in the Audley End Estate. Mined bridge. Cassini ref. 971579. <2> The Second World War anti tank cubes are visible on aerial photographs. They are located one either side of the lane at the eastern end of a mined bridge over the River Cam which is centred at TL 5213 3904. The western end of the bridge was defended by two pillboxes. The site is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941. It formed part of the Audley End Defence Area (Number 70) and the GHQ Line (Essex). <3> - <6>