Monument record 8620/0/1 - WWII Road Block, Towcester Road

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

{1} This was one of the original 17 road blocks set up around Northampton in 1940. Originally it would have consisted of steel rails which could be fitted into specially constructed holes or slots made in the road. In mid-1941 the defences were strengthened with the use of concrete cylinders which were used as an outer defence to prevent enemy tanks making a rush at the steel rails. With the designation of Northampton as a Nodal point in September 1941 and the creation of a number of Defended Localities in the town, the Towcester Road road block was abandoned and the concrete cylinders moved to strengthen other defences. The road block was manned by members of the 12th Northants Battalion Home guard from the 16th August 1940 until its closure in the following year.

{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. Near the cemetery, Towcester Road, Northampton.

<1> HOLLOWELL S., 1998, Defence of Britain recording form: Towcester Road, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51560.

<2> Barnes L.E., 1946, History of the 12th Northamptonshire Battalion Home Guard 1940-1944, pp.16, 69-72, 89-91, 129 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55036.

<3> Holloway B.G., 1949, The Northamptonshire Home Guard 1940-45, pp.156-7 (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

May 1 2025 3:53PM