Going Underground in Donny

Emergency 'Borough Control' centres were built in many towns in the UK during the Cold War.

The bunkers were designed to serve as boltholes for the town's leadership and emergency services from where they could coordinate activity and communications in the event of nuclear attack.

Rear

Doncaster's was built in the '60s under the Coroner's Court.

Front

It's now in the process of demolishment, so it was decided to carry out a perfunctory inspection before a game of darts at the welcoming Corner Pin pub around the corner.

Above was the Signals room. Compare with the photo below of SubBrit's visit in 2003.

All rooms were largely stripped out and it was difficult to determine their use, but there would have been Administration, Operations, Scientists & Reconnaissance, Conference & Controllers and Plant, as well as toilets and a kitchen.

According to SubBrit, "the plant room has a Braby generator, switchgear and ventilation and filtration plant by Keith Blackman Engineering of London, the unit being called 'The Tornado.'"

Emergency hatch

With the removal of such refuges, we can hope their need is now also gone.