In June 1940 some of the inhabitants of Northgate declared themselves anxious to obtain an air-raid shelter on unused land in New Ruttington Lane. At the end of October 1940 the Canterbury Emergency Committee ordered that a scheme be prepared scheme for the erection of two communal surface shelters on two sites, in New Ruttington Lane and High Street St Gregory respectively. Each was to provide shelter for 112 persons, and the shelters (which both lay on the edge of a flood-plain) were ordered to be sunk ‘as far below ground-level as possible.’ In mid November, the scheme was adapted to accept bunks – very few shelters in Canterbury at this time were thus provided. The shelters seem to have been completed by mid January 1941, and in January the following year was listed as providing 120 places. In February 1942 these shelters were strengthened with reinforced concrete.
Owner : Unknown
Publicly accessible : Unknown
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : Destroyed
Date of visit :

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). SKE14931.

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). Ske14931.