Monument record MBC47766 - WW2 ROADBLOCK, ROWSHAM 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 Rowsham Bridge and centred at SP 84629 17611, the roadblock comprises 2 lines of (probably) concrete rectangular blocks on the roadside. There were also probably square sockets sunk into 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 two concrete blocks about 1.5 metres square to the W of the roadside. Some 30 metres to the NE is the second roadblock line, with two blocks to the W of the roadside and one block to the E. Recorded from aerial photographs taken in 1948, the structures are visible in 1949 but have been removed by 1950. 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 (1-6).