Tunnel Quarry

August 19, 2008 12:40 AM
Looking down shaft 5 from the surface.
Photo: © Crown Copyright

Tunnel Quarry was one of the four sub-depots of the Central Ammunitions Depot, parts of the converted Bath stone quarry are still security classified sites today. The quarry connects to the northern edge of Spring Quarry and also had a link to the GWR main line at the eastern portal of Brunel's Box Tunnel.

Corsham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

 

Grid Reference: ST854693

 

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This is an active Ministry of Defence site.

 

Last Updated: July 20, 2017 10:17 AM

© Crown Copyright Notice: Photo gallery includes images reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

Tunnel Quarry History

Located South-East of Bath, Tunnel Quarry forms part of the converted stone quarry tunnel complex beneath JSU Corsham (formerly known as RAF Rudloe Manor).

The quarry was acquired by the War Department after being used to extract building stone for the last century. The quarry was extensively converted, regular storage bays were created, the floor was flattened and air conditioning and lighting was fitted through out.

The regular conditions were needed as Tunnel Quarry formed part of the Central Ammunition Depot, an amazing labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, around one hundred feet below ground covering an area of around 200 acres in four sub-depots, which between them housed over 350,000 tons of ammunition.

At the eastern portal of Brunel's Box Tunnel, a branch line from the main London to Bristol railway line leads into the heart of the depot and terminates at a half-mile long underground railway station. Most of the underground area is now abandoned. The quarry is still strictly controlled by the MOD as several areas are still classified including the Command and Control Computer Centre (CCC) in the eastern part of the quarry, which is accessible via lift from a discreet bunker style entrance in Peel Circus. Another area known as South-West Control is also still in use at the opposite end of the quarry, this area was originally set a side as storage district 1 but it was never converted, it was later converted it to a telephone exchange and switching room, it's current day use is unknown.

Tunnel Quarry Is Part Of CAD Corsham

  • Central Ammunitions Depot

    April 15, 2013

    CAD is spread over four separate quarries in the Corsham area, Monkton Farleigh Quarry is in part used for secure holding by Wansdyke Security. Tunnel Quarry is still used by the MOD. Ridge Quarry has been abandoned. Eastlays Quarry is a commercial site used for wine storage.

Map Of Tunnel Quarry

  • Tunnel Quarry Map
© Crown Copyright Notice: This page includes images reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
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