Monument record MBC47762 - WW2 ROADBLOCK, WOMAN’S (HOLMAN’S) BRIDGE

A Second World War roadblock is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Aylesbury Vale Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18604). Located immediately N of Woman’s (Holman’s ) Bridge on the A413 road and centred at SP 81773 15287, the roadblock comprises 2 lines of (probably) concrete rectangular blocks on the roadside and what appear to be square sockets in the road surface to accept removable upright steel girders. In this way the road can be completely blocked in time of emergency. Centred on the N end of the bridge at SP 81777 15270 are two large blocks about 1.3 x 1.5 metres, one on each side of the road edge. Across the road surface are six square patches in two rows (of 4 and 2) that would have been the sockets. Some 30 metres N of this is a second and larger roadblock centred at SP 81773 15300 that appears to show six concrete blocks of various sizes, with four to the W of the roadside and two to the E. Across the road surface are seven square sockets, each about 0.5x0.5 metres, set out in two rows (of 3 and 4). Still visible on aerial photographs taken in 1947, the features have been removed and/or resurfaced by 1949. Contemporary accounts of Aylesbury recall that certain roads had concrete blocks across them, manned by L.D.V. (Local Defence Volunteers) and then Home Guards. Another person recalls finding spent and live cartridge cases at the bridge in 1984 which would support this evidence of military activity. On aerial photographs taken in 2023, no evidence of the roadblocks are now visible (1-7).