BLACKPOOL PILLBOXES

by

TRACY

Images 1-5 at Grid Reference SD328313 (I used multimap) is of a Bunker inside the perimeter fence at Blackpool Airport.

It can be found at the end of an old access/emergency road.

I am not sure what its purpose was but it is very close to what was the old Vickers factory which built Wellington Bombers during the war.

The access road still has remains of cats eyes down the centre so must have been in more regular use at one time.

The road is off the B5261 opposite Trebaron Garden centre.

Images 6-11at grid reference SD317375 are of a bunker and loopholed bridge across Devonshire Road (B5124).

The bunker is trackside, so inaccessable, on the main approach to Blackpool North station.

In some of the images the original road level can be determined in relation to the pavement.

The road level was lowered some years ago to allow higher vehicles to pass under the bridge.

Images 8,9,10 and 11are taken facing south towards Blackpool.

The roof can be clearly seen.

Images 6+7 faceing north towards the Port of Fleetwood approx 7 miles away.

I think this bunker would have protected the railway line but mainly the road way.

The road is quite straight so the field of view would have been very good.

Images 12-18 grid reference SD330451 is of a pillbox which stands opposite Cala Gran caravan park on the B5268 Fleetwood road.

This was also one of the main roads to the port of Fleetwood but more importantly.

The caravan park is on the site of an old military camp.

Images 17+18 show the interior with rusted mounting bolts in the wall.

Images 19-22 grid reference SD331314 show a pillbox in the grounds of south shore cricket club.

This is clearly visible from Common Edge Road (B5261) and stands at the junction with the access road that leads to the first bunker.

Image 22 is of the interior and like Cala Gran bunker the rusted mounting bolts are visible.The metal framework on the roof obviously not original is used to advertise match information.

Images 23-28 grid reference SD334362 is of a pillbox in a wooded area on Woodside drive which is the driveway access to the zoo.

This pillbox door has been sealed so viewing is through the windows.

A statue of a homeguard/soldier has been placed on top recently as also the blue information plaque.

The zoo is on the site of the original municipal airport before it was moved to Squires Gate.

The old hangers are still used by the zoo as is the original tower and passenger terminal which is now the elephant house.

During the war it was used for aircraft storage and the assembly of Wellingtons.

Copyright Graham G Matthews@PSG2010