Gosforth, Grandstand Road, anti tank blocks

HER Number:
5809

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Gosforth, Grandstand Road, anti tank blocks

Place:
Gosforth

Map Sheet:
NZ26NW

Class:
Defence

Site Type: Broad:
Defence Obstruction

Site Type: Specific:
Tank Trap

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
Site of WW2 concrete roadblock. On Grandstand Road near to town moor and aircraft hangar (HER 5570). This stop line defended Newcastle from the west, it consisted of a series of large concrete blocks placed along the west side of the carriageway. The blocks were square, measuring 1.5 metres x 1.5 metres and were spaced at 1 metres intervals. Stop-lines included permanent and moveable road barriers. The most substantial works were formed from square or cylindrical concrete blocks entwined with barbed wire and fitted with explosives. Moveable obstacles consisted of horizontal or vertical bars or poles of steel, set between concrete blocks. Bent steel girders could also be slotted into sockets cut into the road surface. Modern road improvements are removing evidence for both, but some of the original blocks or aperatures have been observed in-situ. Cylindrical blocks have been used to line private roads or placed on river banks to combat erosion {Defence of Britain Handbook, 1995}.

Easting:
2320

Northing:
6610

Grid Reference:
NZ23206610

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 5809 >> Alan Rudd, of 20th century defence sites in Tyne and Wear RCHME, 1995, Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Survey Report, p 39; English Heritage, 2008, Hadrian's Wall National Mapping Programme, 1029906; Aerial Photograph RAF 58/B/32 5240-5241; Gazeteer of Defence Sites from the Henry Wills Collection