Middlesbrough ARP WW2 Air Raid Shelter - Linthorpe Road
Photography © www.andrew-davies.com - unauthorised use prohibited
Situated in Middlesbrough in the North East of the UK , the only outward sign this shelter exists is the remains of the ghost sign to the rear of the building above
Access to the underneath bunker / shelter is not publically available these images were taken in 2012 but the ARP shelter still exists
With space for 367 people this was not the largest in the area by any means with some more local shelters able to hold 700 plus
The ghost sign has detoriated further over the years and some fear it will vanish completely soon if not protected
The entrance through a set of sturdy ladders in a trap door in the shop above - a very rarely visited and seen place
Most of the shots were taken in a rush with very low light available so not technically the best as you can see by my dumped camera bag on the floor !
Possibly the most interesting piece of WW2 left - the sign reads PUBLIC SHELTER RULES and eludes further down to regulation 23a - regarding
the provision of Air Raid Shelters from a Hansard report in 1939
It is hard to ascertain which parts under these shops were later fitments for retail or storage as can be seen from the next images
It is also rumoured that parts of the shelter have been walled off for security reasons as a bank and jeweller were neighbouring shops
So the shelter may be larger again than the photos here
Although these boxes are obviously old - whether they are war time is anyones guess.
The boxes appear to be a faux brown leather with brass studs and read 187 Bases and the word Doz ( 12 ) ?
Local company Dorman Long famed steel makers made the beams holding this up, along with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Tyne Bridge amd other
famous bridges and structures across the world !
Some parts much newer than others
Wondering just how solid the shops above were to walk on ?
If anyone has any more information on the shelter feel free to get in touch with me at the contact details on the top of the page
I am also available across the UK for Weddings, Commercial and Landscape work.
Andrew Davies Photography is a photographer covering modern stylish and reportage style weddings across the north east and north west, northumberland and yorkshire at venues ranging from pubs and clubs to castles and national trust monuments |