I am gradually compiling a photographic record of some of the cold war structures that are still surviving.  I live in Derbyshire so that is where I am starting.  Royal Observer Corps bunkers are still quite common, there were over 1500 of them.  The ROC were stood down in 1991 and most of their bunkers were simply abandoned.  The Observers were not happy about what happened so when the MOD asked them to clear out their bunkers, most of them said "sod that" or words to that effect.  As a result many of the bunkers that are still surviving today can be found almost as they were when they were abandoned.  Brassington for example still contains three jerry cans, bunk beds, mattresses, Wellington boots, two chairs and much more.

Please visit your local bunker and photograph it before it is too late.  Many bunkers have been demolished with no photographic record remaining. Be careful though.  I think that you should always go with someone.  After we had been to Brassington we thought it would have been a good idea to secure the hatch in some way so that it couldn't close while we were downstairs.  Its all very well taking someone with you but not much good if both of you get trapped underground!!

Rusting of iron work in a confined space results in oxygen depletion, something that won't be apparent until the unwary pass out. There are air vents if they have been left open they still will not prevent a build-up of carbon dioxide as it is heavier than air. If left shut they will be rusted solid.
The main steel hatch had a very heavy counter balance weight - there were a few examples of these dropping off after linkages seized due to rusting. Age and lack of maintenance will make this more likely. Of course the prospect of flooding has to be considered as well and the vertical ladder had simple rungs of round steel bar with no grips - very easy to slip from.

One last thing, please don't take anything out of the bunkers you visit, remember, take only photographs, leave only footprints.

Royal Observer Corps Bunkers.

  Ambergate 30 post

  Brassington 32 post 

  Ashover 20 post

 

Rotor Bunkers.

  RAF Skendleby

 

Anti Aircraft Emplacements

Elvaston  (Derbyshire)

Neston  (Cheshire)

 

Searchlight Batteries

Matlock (Derbyshire)