NHER 38884 (Monument record) - World War Two roadblock

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two roadblock consisting of anti-tank blocks and cylinders is visible on aerial photographs from 1941 1942 (S1 and S2). The site is centred on TG 2102 4238. This blocks off Runton Road, the main western coastal road into Cromer, and access to a strip of World War Two defences and military sites which are located along the cliffs and seafront at Cromer. These defences would have provided coastal protection and training areas, such as NHER 32576, 38869 to 71 and 38877. As well as blocking access into Cromer this roadblock is situated at a field entrance, within which a group of potentially existing buildings may have been incorporated into the military activity and training area (38883).

In 1941 the roadblock would appear to consist of two rows of six cylinders, with a square anti tank block to the north. Some of the cylinders, when compared to the block, have no obvious height distinction and shadow, so it may be that the white circular mark relates to the where a concrete post stood prior to August 1941 (S1). Photographs exist of the Cromer Home Guard undertaking roadblock exercises on Overstrand Road (Brooks, 1988: 26-7) (S3), show double rows of vertical posts or girders set within concrete filled square pits. No projecting rods are visible on the Runton Road block, although this may explain the flat concrete circles.

To the immediate south of this roadblock in 1941 is a possible structure set into the field boundary bank, measuring up to 3m across (S1). This may have been a gun emplacement or again may relate to a training exercise. By June 1942 all that remains of the roadblock is a second square anti-tank block to the north, placed across the field entrance (S2). There is no visible sign of the structure within the boundary or the cylinders.
S. Massey (NMP), 20 October 2004.