Building record 638/0/127 - (Former?) Northamptonshire County Council offices

{1} Cold War Local Authority run District Emergency Centre. No further details available. Check with NCC Emergency Planning Dept for further information.

{2} District Emergency Centre located in basement of purpose built (1963) NCC Weights and Measures Dept (now Trading Standards Dept), Old Barby Road. DS employed here 1964-7.

{4} The newspaper articles concern Daventry Council’s plans to resurrect use of the control centre in 1984. This predates the construction of a new bunker under the present day DDC Council Offices at cSP5745 6271.

The newspaper reports discussions about whether, in the light of recent Government ruling ordering Las to provide suitable control centres in th event of emergency. Discussion focused on the town’s existing ‘nuclear bunker’, the County Council owned Marlow Close control centre (at SP5672 6216). This located ‘just a few feet below the ground behind the town’s fire station’ and described as a relic of former wars. Further described as ‘a spacious building but full of out-of-date equipment’. It has an antiquated ‘plug in’ telephone system, yellowed and fading maps are so old that some have had the M1 drawn on in pencil, and instructions and fire orders were last signed in 1969. The district council could be given a 100 per cent Government grant to carry out improvements ….’
Articles go on to describe opposition to the new Government regulations by trades union Nalgo. By April, the newspaper reported that councillors had agreed to installation of a chemical toilet in the Marlow Close bunker. Other planned improvements include extra exchange lines for the telephone system, “though the old-fashioned manual plug system will be kept ….. As not as easily affected by electro-magnetic pulse and shock as micro-chip equipment. Cooking materials, cupboards and a new sink are needed to cope with the 30 or 40 peple who may use the shelter. Sleeping bags and oxygen bottles must also be provided.”

{8} AA has confirmed the survival of the Cold War Marlow Close CD bunker. “It can be seen behind the fire and ambulance station and I believe the fire brigade use it for storage.”

<1> Carmichael C., 1996, Oral report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN39775.

<2> Smith D., 1997, Oral report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN39776.

<3> Armishaw, A., 1999, Daventry District Council offices, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN107284.

<4> Armishaw, A., 2007, Daventry Council Control Centre, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN107285.

<5> Daventry Weekly Express, 1984, Nuclear Haven Talks Are Held, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107286.

<6> Daventry Weekly Express, 1984, No Decision Yet On 'Holocaust' Shelter, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107287.

<7> Daventry Express, 1984, Emergency Bunker Gets A Loo, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107288.

<8> Armishaw, A., 2008, Daventry Council Control Centre, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN107289.

Record last edited

Mar 15 2011 12:28PM