Pre-Construct Archaeology conducted a level 2 built heritage survey on land occupied by nos 149-156 Snargate Street, Dover, Kent. This was done prior to redevelopment of the site. Evidence of two former tunnels within the cliff face was located. Tunnel opening A, although blocked, relates to the provision of air raid shelters established during Second World War. The chalk cliffs behind Snargate Street and Limekiln Street are honeycombed with a network of excavated tunnels and passages, some more historic than others. Many of the earlier passages, such as opening A, which must be the Shaftsbury Tunnel referred to in wartime correspondence, as it lies to the rear of the former Shaftesbury Temperance Hotel (no. 153 Snargate Street), were adapted to serve as tunnel access to air raid shelters during the Second World War. This tunnel along with the pre-existing Soldier Home tunnel formed part of a complex of tunnels which extended as far inland as Durham Hill. The Second World War tunnels were excavated by the local ARP under the guidance of the borough engineers department and were reportedly lined with timber sides and ceilings. Whilst entry into the Shaftsbury tunnel was blocked, presumably for safety reasons, given the tunnel network it connected into, tunnel B remained open. This tunnel was relatively short in length and therefore may have been built for storage. It did feature a baffle entry, a design to protect the occupants from an explosion close to the tunnel opening, however, as there was no alternative means of egress, it did not strictly conform to home office specification. Whilst its use as a convenient shelter cannot be ruled out, given the proximity of the Shaftsbury and Soldier Home tunnels, a use for storage may be a more plausible alternative suggestion. (taken from source) (1)

<1> Pre-Construct Archaeology, 2016, BUILT HERITAGE RECORDING AT NOS 149-156 SNARGATE STREET, DOVER, KENT, CT17 9BZ (Unpublished document). SKE31673.