Nuclear bunker on the edge of a cliff just ‘days away’ from falling into the sea

The brick building was first built roughly 100 yards from the edge of a cliff back in 1959, but since then the land has eroded so much that it is now just inches away from falling

A nuclear bunker is now teetering on the edge of a cliff face, and is reportedly “days away” from falling into the sea. The building had been built yards away, but the gradual erosion of the cliff has put it in danger.

The building, located on the cliffs at Tunstall beach on the East Yorkshire coast, are an iconic feature of the local landscape between the towns of Hornsea and Withernsea. It was first constructed back in 1959, at the height of the Cold War amid fears of all-out nuclear conflict.

But after first being built some 100 yards from the edge of the cliff, significant erosion of the land has now put the bunker within inches of falling off the hillside. Historians are now calling for the building to be moved as best as possible to stop it from being lost.

The building was originally hidden from public view as a result of its location underneath the land. It was built in order to protect several people from a nuclear attack if the UK was to be targeted by Soviet nuclear missiles.

Data retrieved about the bunker showed that it was built and had been used by the Royal Observer Corps, as part of Britain’s defence against the Soviets at the time. Monitoring would take place there for potential radiation and any other forms of a nuclear detonation.

The bunker itself is comprised of two small rooms, which were built to be occupied for just a small time, often by two volunteer members of the corps. It was later decommissioned by the army itself in the early 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

But as the years have progressed, the bunker has slowly become exposed to the elements and now sits on the edge of falling 25 feet to the ground. Amateur historian Davey Robinson, who has been avidly watching and filming the final days of the bunker’s existence has said the fortification is “a few days away” from collapsing.

East Yorkshire holds an unpopular record for the fastest eroding coastline in the UK, based on figures from the Environment Agency. Currently, it is believes that roughly 3 miles of coastline has been lost to the sea from Roman times to the current day as a result of the weak stone.

In response to the number of people trying to see the bunker before it falls away, East Riding Council has warned people against visiting the area. A spokesperson for the council confirmed it holds no claim over the structure itself.

“Recognising the risk posed by the structure, the council would ask that people avoid the area, both at the cliff top and at the beach as it descends the cliff,” the spokesperson said. “The council would also remind visitors and residents to always maintain a safe distance to the base of eroding cliffs, due to the risks associated.

“East Riding Council does not have any statutory responsibilities connected to the structure, the structure sits on an area of privately owned land,” they added. “The approach for this location remains at ‘no active intervention’; therefore, the coast is undefended in this area, which allows coastal processes to continue.”

“The Ministry of Defence originally requisitioned the land to build the structure, but following its closure, the land was returned to the landowner, which included any military infrastructure upon it. The responsibility for this infrastructure therefore belongs to the landowner, and the management responsibility for the rural beach in this area sits with the Crown Estate.”

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