Kingsford Forest Park

Second World War tunnels hoping to become museum

A tree-lined rural track bordered on either side by sandstone rock is the unassuming entrance to a vast underground complex which was once the centre of vital military operations.
Drakelow Tunnels was used to manufacture machine parts during the Second World War and was designated a regional seat of government in the event of nuclear attack during the Cold War.
And the 285,000sq ft network of tunnels is still full of reminders of its military past from electrical vehicles used to move components to kitchen equipment once used by staff.
Plans are now in place to transform the tunnels, between Kinver and Wolverley, into a museum honouring the site's past.
The scheme has yet to be approved by Wyre Forest District Council.
And before any work has been carried out, site caretaker Sid Robinson has thrown open the heavy metal door to the complex to give a glimpse of what is inside.
The first sight is a security booth which would once have been manned to ensure only authorised personnel could gain access to the complex.
Mr Robinson, 43, who has overseen the site since the early 1990s, said under the new plans the booth would be restored to its original appearance.
Another little seen part of the complex is the sickbay where staff and occupants would have been treated.
Basins can still be seen standing in the room.
Under the new museum plan a window will be fitted to the room and actors will perform an operation from the period on a screen.
This will show visitors the kind of medical treatment people using the tunnels could have expected.
In the event of a nuclear war, doctors, surgeons and dentists would have operated from the room.
But one of the most chilling parts of the site is the BBC Room.
This is where, in the event of nuclear attack, radio messages would have been broadcast telling people what was happening.
A control desk from the period is still in place along with telephones from both the 1960s and early 1980s.
And other broadcast equipment from the period has also been donated for the museum scheme.
Mr Robinson said: It is chilling to think someone would have sat here and reported what was going on if a nuclear war had taken place.
Large areas of the tunnels have been opened up into large walkways. These would have originally been taken up by offices but these structures have since collapsed and been cleared away.
When the tunnels were used as a factory during the Second World War around 600 people would have worked at the site.
And a kitchen from the 1940s, including vats and serving areas is still in existence although in need of restoration.
And nearby is a rusted electrical vehicle which would have been used to transport machine parts around the complex.
Mr Robinson said: The interest in the site and its history has always been very high and the museum will allow people to learn more about the tunnels.
Most of the feedback we have received has been positive and in an ideal world we would hope to have the museum up and running by late next year.
However the first thing will be to connect the tunnels to a permanent electrical supply and to remove the damp which has already caused some damage to the materials inside.
Ideally we want this to be an additional tourist attraction adding to nearby Kinver Edge and the Severn Valley Railway.
Mr Robinson said they would welcome help from anyone who could provide period equipment to serve as exhibits in the museum.
The tunnels were originally excavated during the Second World War.
After manufacturing continued by Rover until the 1950s and then it was mainly used for storage.
It then became a regional seat of government for the Midlands in case of nuclear threat during the Cold War.
In the 1990s it became surplus to government requirements and the site was sold to its present owner.
Under the new plans for the site, submitted by owners Quercus Ilex SA, a visitor centre would also be built near to the site.
There are also proposals for six houses which would generate case to fund work on the museum.

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