Been asked to forward this in case anyone can help- "Can anyone help? I have been sent the intriguing question set out below. The site not too far from a railway line. Do you know any about an empty factory site in Morley Road , Staple Hill that is earmarked for demolition in readiness for housing to be built? The reason I ask is that with it located opposite my brothers house, the site, known to have been a munitions factory during the war, suffered a fire recently, and as a result fencing has been put around to stop kids etc getting in. This is where the interesting bit comes in. On the fence a sign has been erected stating that if access is needed by either the emergency services OR railtrack, then call xyz... Why railtrack? Is there an over / underground rail network to move the munitions around? if so where, was it connected to the main rail line that ran from Bristol to Bath ? David Evans Historic Environment Record Officer Planning and Environment Planning, Transportation & Strategic Environment PO Box 2081 The Council Offices, Castle Street Thornbury South Gloucestershire BS35 9BP Phone: 01454 863649 fax: 01454 865173"
Err, shouldn't he have access to all the records of what is on or under the land in question? Plus wartime maps? Love the acronym: Historic Environment Records Officer...! indeed! Sniper probably has it right.
having spoken to dave evans,its not railtrack land he said! but too hush hush to say anymore on the matter,so thats all I can offer.watch site or postings their gordon,or try local newspaper? get them onto it maybe,ray..
I find it odd that the council guy is not able to pursue this himself anyway I have looked in a few books that deal with local people in Bristol during the war and found nothing ref Staple hill and a Munitions factory there was a train station in Staple Hill until 1960 so we have a rail link in the area as Gordon mentioned in his post there was a rail track nearby so this makes sense.Being as Staple Hill is 15 mins from me I will make some enquiries locally and see what I can find out and I might just get in touch with Mr Evans I know where he is in Thornbury so that makes things easier.Regards, Jason
