Monument record 8618/1/1 - WWII Road Block, Billing Road

Site of one of Northampton's original seventeen Second World War anti-tank island roadblocks constructed of steel rails. Billing Road, Northampton.

{1} Billing Road near the Borough Boundary Road Block - The NGR given is for a position on the Borough boundary - most of the early roadblocks on other approach roads being construted on the boundary. However, the Home Guard also had an observation post at Rushmere Road. LE Barnes recorded that there was also a searchlight battery situated "on the Billing Road site". It was one of the oriiginal 17 road blocks set up around Northampton in 1940. With the designation of Northampton as a Nodal point in September 1941 and th creation of a number of Defended Localities in the town, the Billing Road road block was abandoned and the concrete cylinders moved to strengthen other defences.

{4} One of the original 17 Northampton roadblocks constructed of steel rails set in slots in the road. The roadblock was reinforced with concrete cylinders in mid 1941. Removed in September 1941. Road block was manned by 12th Btn Northamptonshire Home Guard (Northampton Borough) from Mid-August 1940 until removal.
For further information see SRF. Billing Road, Northampton.

<1> HOLLOWELL S., 1998, Defence of Britain recording forms- Billing Road, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN51558.

<2> Barnes L.E., 1946, History of the 12th Northamptonshire Battalion Home Guard 1940-1944, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55036.

<3> Holloway B.G., 1949, The Northamptonshire Home Guard 1940-45, (unchecked) (Book). SNN55038.

<4> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<5> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

Record last edited

Nov 15 2023 4:56PM