The Future.

In November 2005, £168.000 was granted to Newcastle Upon Tyne Council to landscape the area after many years of public pressure. The bunker was last used between 1984 and 2000 when it was used as TS (Training Ship) Nelson by the local Sea Cadets. Since then the surrounding area had become an eye sore with overgrown shrubs and graffiti.
All that remains of the main bunker is the west and east entrances plus the mast bases. The surrounding area is currently under development with a housing estate due to be completed in late 2006. The bunker will be mothballed and left in situ.
There were rumours of the main bunker being opened up to the public as a museum. However, in 2003 the idea was shelved as the additional space needed for visitor parking could not be found. Maybe in the future provisions can be made and it may re-open.
I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to visit the bunker in September 2006. The bunker was in an excellent condition considering it has remained unused for many years. Slight water damage has rotten some wooden panels which have been removed to stop further erosion, the cause of this is possibly due to water entering the east exit. The walls still have the original paint work, with door signs remaining on many rooms. The operations room flooring is to be recovered and the observation gantry glass replaced.
The only surviving remnant from World War 2 is the plotting table which was stacked up in a side room. The table is to be reassembled and put on display at the Sunderland Aircraft Museum.
To visit the bunker and to imagine what it must have been like whilst operational was an honour and I must thank Wimpey Homes for all their help and assistance.