Monument record 11149 - Railway Emergency Control Centre at Chester Railway Station

<1> Donald Insall Associates, 2012, Chester Business District: Report on Chester Station's Concrete Shelter October 2012 (Client Report). SCH6915.

This structure appears to be a World War II concrete bunker, possibly a railway control centre, comprising a rectangular concrete building with no windows. Although presently in use as a storage facility, structural features include steel gas tight doors and a dog leg air lock suggesting it was intended to be used as an emergency safehouse.

<2> Subterranea Britannica Society, 2012, Subterranea Britannica, Chester Railway Control Centre (Web Site). SCH6960.

<3> Airfield Research Publishing, 2014, Survey and Report of a Railway Control Room (Client Report). SCH7329.

A recent survey of the structure prior to its demolition as well as further research has provided more information on it. It is believed that the room was a Type 2 District Control Room and was intended to serves as a bomb proof shelter for personnel and the protection of vital equipment. The room was built with entrance and exits arranged internally and a double sking wall with a sand infill. It is entirely built above ground and essentially consists of a windowless re-inforced concrete block with external walls 7ft thick. The interior included an air-lock, auxiliary rooms 1-3 and the main room.