blacksnake
Member
Not one for hi-jacking someone elses thread I've decided to post this separately to Mr Tbolts "Shelter in the Park".
Now this particular Air Raid shelter was built to protect the folk working for the war effort in a building of iconic status in Liverpool. To call it the L*****w**ds air raid shelter would be irresponsible of me! So, Shhhh.. "Don't tell em your name Pike!"
If y'all want a "History Bit" then Google it yourselves or check this link: Littlewoods Air Raid Shelter
So elusive is this shelter that it verges on urban legend, never mind urban exploring. Just so happens that I am a member of 'the' volunteer historical organization 'The Friends of Williamson Tunnels' (FoWT) Who, in conjunction with Sub-Britannica and permission of Liverpool City Council (LCC) were the ones who opened the shelter in 2012, after it being sealed for over 40 years. Now bear in mind, I work each Sunday with said volunteers who were party and present when the shelter was opened in 2012. Tales of forced entry and Oxy meters going bonkers when they were down there, plus being assured that they re-sealed and landscaped away any trace of the access led me to conclude...Bollox! and Bah-Humbug!
So, imagine my surprise when t'other week I gets a call off my favourite Greater Manchestertarian Mr Tbolt telling me the shelter was open! "Feck off Nob head, it's 'PROPER' sealed is that!" His persistence led me to make haste to check for me self... And guess what? He was only right! (C**T)
The shelter is Approx 300m (985ft) in length and 18m (58ft) wide and comprises 15 concrete rectangular seating areas. Directions were probably a good idea.
DSC_0022 by chris palmer, on Flickr
Not easy finding pics y'all haven't seen already...
DSC_0015 by chris palmer, on Flickr
DSC_0012 by chris palmer, on Flickr
_DSC2428 by chris palmer, on Flickr
_DSC2433 by chris palmer, on Flickr
_DSC2438 by chris palmer, on Flickr
_DSC2439 by chris palmer, on Flickr
_DSC2445 by chris palmer, on Flickr
20180911_175031 by chris palmer, on Flickr
Chemical toilets, collected as if for removal but left behind.
20180911_181622 by chris palmer, on Flickr
Due to either a hasty build or dodgy sub-soil, one half of the shelter is sinking under it's own weight causing the concrete floor to fail. This gets progressively worse the further you go.
20180911_181642 by chris palmer, on Flickr
20180911_182000 by chris palmer, on Flickr
Finally, after much sweating and breathing of stale air... The ALL CLEAR!
DSC_0021 by chris palmer, on Flickr
Ironically, despite Hitler's Luftwaffe attacks during the Blitz plus 80 years lying undisturbed. The shelter was "BLOWN UP" by a sell out urbexer paid to ******** the Daily Snail that "HE" discovered the shelter (3 weeks after our visit) Result = LCC proper sealing it for God knows how long! Cheers CJUrbex!!!
Now this particular Air Raid shelter was built to protect the folk working for the war effort in a building of iconic status in Liverpool. To call it the L*****w**ds air raid shelter would be irresponsible of me! So, Shhhh.. "Don't tell em your name Pike!"
If y'all want a "History Bit" then Google it yourselves or check this link: Littlewoods Air Raid Shelter
So elusive is this shelter that it verges on urban legend, never mind urban exploring. Just so happens that I am a member of 'the' volunteer historical organization 'The Friends of Williamson Tunnels' (FoWT) Who, in conjunction with Sub-Britannica and permission of Liverpool City Council (LCC) were the ones who opened the shelter in 2012, after it being sealed for over 40 years. Now bear in mind, I work each Sunday with said volunteers who were party and present when the shelter was opened in 2012. Tales of forced entry and Oxy meters going bonkers when they were down there, plus being assured that they re-sealed and landscaped away any trace of the access led me to conclude...Bollox! and Bah-Humbug!
So, imagine my surprise when t'other week I gets a call off my favourite Greater Manchestertarian Mr Tbolt telling me the shelter was open! "Feck off Nob head, it's 'PROPER' sealed is that!" His persistence led me to make haste to check for me self... And guess what? He was only right! (C**T)
Explored with Tbolt, Mr. Pig, Frosty & Co.
Found after 'Mucho' Googling... 1940 aerial photo of the shelters 14 entrances fed by a series of 'open' concrete lined slit trenches.
The shelter is Approx 300m (985ft) in length and 18m (58ft) wide and comprises 15 concrete rectangular seating areas. Directions were probably a good idea.
DSC_0022 by chris palmer, on FlickrNot easy finding pics y'all haven't seen already...
DSC_0015 by chris palmer, on FlickrDSC_0012 by chris palmer, on Flickr_DSC2428 by chris palmer, on Flickr_DSC2433 by chris palmer, on Flickr_DSC2438 by chris palmer, on Flickr_DSC2439 by chris palmer, on Flickr_DSC2445 by chris palmer, on Flickr20180911_175031 by chris palmer, on FlickrChemical toilets, collected as if for removal but left behind.
20180911_181622 by chris palmer, on FlickrDue to either a hasty build or dodgy sub-soil, one half of the shelter is sinking under it's own weight causing the concrete floor to fail. This gets progressively worse the further you go.
20180911_181642 by chris palmer, on Flickr20180911_182000 by chris palmer, on FlickrFinally, after much sweating and breathing of stale air... The ALL CLEAR!
DSC_0021 by chris palmer, on FlickrIronically, despite Hitler's Luftwaffe attacks during the Blitz plus 80 years lying undisturbed. The shelter was "BLOWN UP" by a sell out urbexer paid to ******** the Daily Snail that "HE" discovered the shelter (3 weeks after our visit) Result = LCC proper sealing it for God knows how long! Cheers CJUrbex!!!
Ta for looking
It only effects a third of the structure and I initially thought it was tree roots breaking through as the cracking starts small, but quickly becomes so acute that it becomes very difficult to negotiate. Then I came across a wall with a crack from floor to ceiling, and that's when I realized it was subsidence. When speaking to the guys who went down there in 2012, it was like that back then also so maybe it's settled? 
