The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fly-tipping threatens to shut secret bunker
‘Morally reprehensible’ act could prevent Cold War-era tourist site from opening
Access to a tourist attraction on the outskirts of Arbroath which saw extensive use during the Cold War has been put under threat by fly-tippers.
Staff arrived at the site to find access was blocked by rubble and other construction materials, dumped overnight, which organisers say threatens to close the site for the visitor season. They are appealing for help to have it removed.
The underground bunker, accessible only via a 15 ft ladder, is one of just two refurbished Royal Observer Corp posts open for access in Scotland and includes a collection of its original equipment and instrumentation.
The site is part of an extensive network of around 1,500 bunkers, which were manned by thousands of specially trained local volunteer observers during the Cold War, when the threat of nuclear attack by the USSR was believed to be a constant possibility.
In the event of an attack, the posts were designed to monitor nuclear bursts and the subsequent fall-out across the UK.
This is extremely disappointing, as the dumped rubble has blocked access to the site – throwing the whole visitor season into doubt
The data collected by the observers would have helped construct a picture of the effects on the country and been used to assist survivors.
Changes in technology – and political regimes – meant the threat of nuclear attack receded, and the volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps were stood down in 1991.
Since then, a surface museum has been established at the Arbroath site, displaying memorabilia relating to the Royal Observer Corps, as well as a collection of material from the corps’ original role of aircraft identification and reporting from 1925-1945.
Cheryl Stewart, who organises tours of the bunker, said: “This is extremely disappointing, as the dumped rubble has blocked access to the site – throwing the whole visitor season into doubt.
“The site is becoming increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike, and our tours are always overbooked.
“The fact that we cannot open is very disappointing, as the tours are conducted by former Royal Observer Corps personnel who enjoy sharing their experiences with the public.”
Angus Provost and veterans’ champion Ronnie Proctor reacted angrily to the news. He said: “This is absolutely disgraceful, and is nothing short of vandalism.
“Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities at the best of times but those who do it at sites such as these should be particularly mindful of the dangerous times they were used in.
“The bottom line is that fly-tipping is a criminal offence, and morally reprehensible.
“I would urge anyone with information to contact the police.”