Hadrian's Wall NMP - Newcastle area

 The most recent project area completed for the Hadrian's Wall NMP project covers the conurbation of Newcastle and Gateshead at the extreme eastern end of the Wall. Given that this area has, in the main, been built up since the 1940s there is very little trace of any features earlier than those of a Second World War military nature, with the exception of short stretches of wall etc that have been excavated and consolidated, such as the forts at South Shields (Arbeia) and Wallsend (Segedunum).

Amongst the military sites there are many examples of the mooring sites for barrage balloons that are easily recognised as concentric rings of posts. Barrage balloons were used to provide some protection for likely bombing targets, such as the docks, shipyards and other industrial areas. The balloons were attached with a cable to the centre of the mooring site and this forced enemy aircraft to fly higher thus reducing their bombing accuracy.

Lots of heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) batteries were seen in the area; many of those around Tyneside included radar stations, seen right at the centre of the hexagonal shaped gun-laying mat.

Elsewhere aircraft obstructions were dug across areas of level ground to prevent enemy aircraft from landing and communal air raid shelters were built in the grounds of schools and factories.

For further information on a project or any other aspect of the work of the Aerial Survey team please contact us at: AerialSurvey@english-heritage.org.uk.