Monument record MBC47765 - WW2 ROADBLOCK, AYLESBURY ROAD, BIERTON

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 on Aylesbury Road about 100 metres W of the junction with Gib Lane and centred at SP 84408 15847, the roadblock comprises 2 lines of (probably) concrete rectangular blocks on the roadside and what was probably square sockets in the road surface to accept removable upright steel girders. In this way the road could be completely blocked to vehicles in time of emergency. On the first roadblock line are six concrete blocks of various sizes, with five to the N of the roadside and one to the S. Some 30 metres to the W is the second roadblock line, with four blocks to the N of the roadside and three blocks to the S. Recorded from aerial photographs taken in 1943, the structures are still in place in 1945. However, all the structures except one have been removed by 1950 and the last block removed by 1954. 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. On aerial photographs taken in 2023, no evidence of the roadblocks is now visible (1-7).