Forty two air raid shelters to be put up around Stirling

Forty-two above-ground air raid shelters, to accommodate 10 per cent of the Stirling population, were to be erected in town, the Observer of October, 1939 reported.

The shelters were to be 40ft long by five feet wide and had capacity to accommodate a total of 1600 people.

They were to be erected at the following locations: Goosecroft car park at bottom of the Craigs; near the Black Boy Fountain; Waverley Crescent playground; Harbour, Shore Road; Lower Bridge Street; Spittalmyre playground, Bruce Street; Williamfield Cricket Ground,Torbrex; Gordon Crescent playground; Hawthorn Crescent playground;Woodside Road/Haig Avenue;

Queen Street/Upper Bridge Street; Station Road; Thistle Street; Mercat Cross, Broad Street; Victoria Road and Victoria Square; Allan Park; Southfield Crescent gardens; Burghmuir; Maitland Crescent playground; Mayfield Street; McGregor Road, St Ninians; entrance to Clifford Park; south end of MelvilleTerrace; Darnley Street playground; James Street; Corn Exchange Road; Church Wynd, and Glencoe Road.

Some councillors questioned the spread and location of the shelters but Bailie Millar said the shelters were required for densely populated parts of the town. Torbrex did not fall into that category and neither did

Cambuskenneth, Causewayhead and St Ninians. Shelters were intended for areas where it was not possible for people to create one in their homes or gardens.

It was stated a shelter to accommodate 16 people would cost £67 (£4,300 in today’s money) and £47 (about £3000 today) for one that held 12.

Councillors were also angry over a wall erected by the military in front of the Army recruitment office in Port Street, Stirling.

Members of the council’s works committee said it was a `danger to the civil population’and instructed the Town Clerk to make their feelings known to those responsible for it.

However, the military responded by saying the wall was the `most suitable protection for the building’, prompting Bailie Millar to describe the matter as a `scandal’.

Another council member said it could set a precedent while Treasurer Watters added: `There is a confounded lot of brass hats drawing bigger salaries than they did in civil life. Can’t we get the work stopped until we have settled the matter,’

The provost said the wall was spoiling the amenity of the town but a councillor Stewart pointed out it was there to provide protection similar to the air raid shelters they had just been discussing.