Our blog has become relatively predictable with continual thank you messages but we have to say it yet again after another amazing effort by our very supportive and hard working volunteers and resident members of Kent Underground Research Group (KURG).
Over half of the spoil tip from the top staircase that had been removed last year by KURG has now been relocated from the main lined tunnel to the unlined section of the network which the scrap-men deconstructed following the decommission of the shelter but ultimately abandoned completion of the works with all of the materials left behind. This area of the tunnel network will not be part of the guided zone for public access but will remain viewable from the outside perimeter.
The spoil will be rendered with a top layer of clean white chalk rubble to aid in the aesthetic and conservation of the unlined chalk sections.
This leads onto towards news of the other works which have been nearly completed as part of this area.
Recycling the original wooden railway sleepers which had originally been supporting the unlined chalk sound mirror tunnels until their recent replacement, two very fitting wooden walls now prevent accessible access into the deconstructed tunnel at either end but remain low enough (also with a step) for the public to view into the area thus protecting and allowing the story behind the complete history of Fan Bay to be told for future generations.
Now the seaward tunnels are fully repaired, conserved, structurally sound and well documented, we hope to soon be able to begin the excavation of internal backfilling towards the sound mirrors which had been buried and backfilled as part of the 1970s ‘eye sore clearance programme’. We as always still remain confident in their rediscovery.
Fan Bay Deep Shelter NT 