Derelict world war bunkers becoming havens for wildlife

PILLBOXES HAVE BEEN TARGETS FOR VANDALISM

SECOND World War buildings not far from Derby are set to be transformed after becoming a target for vandals in the last few years.

The pillboxes, located along the River Trent, will be transformed into wildlife habitats to help protect bats in the East Midlands.

The pillboxes were designed and constructed to defend against a possible German invasion. Five of the buildings, located between the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, and Walton Bridge, have already been converted into environmentally friendly areas.

Other conversions at Tucklesholme, between Walton and Barton under Needwood, and Branston Leas have also been proposed. Plans are also in place to update or repair some of those converted by the Environment Agency more than a decade ago.

The pillboxes are being transformed into somewhere for bats to hibernate in the winter, and swallow nesting sites, protecting these cultural heritage assets for the future, said a spokesman for the project.

It is part of a scheme by The Transforming the Trent Valley group, which is a partnership of 18 organisations working together to restore and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the site.

Dr Mark Knight, The Transforming the Trent Valley cultural heritage officer, said: “Following the British Army’s defeat at Dunkirk and withdrawal from France in 1940, and anticipating a German invasion, the war office divided Britain into a series of compartments to counter the likely German advance.

“This plan utilised the landscape and incorporated natural features like hills and rivers to slow the enemy advance, and a series of mini-bunkers were built at strategic points such as bridges, roads, railways and potential river crossings.

“These defensive features were together designated as ‘stop lines’ and Stop Line Number 5 utilised the Rivers Trent, Dove and Tame to prevent or slow down an advance from the German Army.

“These bunkers, or ‘pillboxes,’ were constructed of reinforced concrete, are hexagonal in shape, and have a loophole, or window, on each side, each loophole having angled sides to allow for maximum field of fire.

“The pillboxes offer nothing in the way of comfort, being a concrete bunker with open loophole windows and open doorway, a Y-shaped concrete blast wall and wooden shelves on which to mount the machine guns or to rest on when taking aim with a rifle. “The blast wall was to protect the men inside from all being killed at once from an enemy grenade or ricocheting bullets.

“The pillboxes were never used. The German plan to invade Britain was cancelled and the invasion never came.

“In our Transforming the Trent Valley scheme area, most of these pillboxes have survived and, although they have no statutory protection, are surviving well, apart from the depredations of anti-social behaviour, vandalism and occasionally sinking a little into the river banks.

“Working with Hanson UK, we have been converting a number of the pillboxes for use as a wildlife habitat, creating somewhere for bats to hibernate in the winter, and swallow nesting sites, protecting these cultural heritage assets for the future.

“With luck and care, these repurposed pillboxes will have a new lease of life and stand as a reminder of some of the darkest days of our shared history.”

With luck and care, these repurposed pillboxes will have a new lease of life

Dr Mark Knight