Historic Environment Scotland lists two of Orkney’s famous ‘Churchill Barriers’

Detail of concrete block holders, used to construct the barriers.
Detail of concrete block holders, used to construct the barriers.

 

Second World War structures recognised as being of national importance

Edinburgh, Scotland, 2016-Nov-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Two of Orkney’s famous ‘Churchill Barriers’ have been listed by Historic Environment Scotland for the first time.

The barriers were constructed during World War Two as a defensive measure to prevent enemy ships and submarines from entering Scapa Flow, which housed the bulk of Britain’s fleet at the time. The move was ordered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill in response to the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak in Scapa Bay in October 1939, by a German submarine, which was able to evade the ineffective submarine defences in place at the time.

The solid causeways prevented access from the east into the four channels leading to Scapa Flow. Today the barriers provide a vital road link from the Orkney mainland to South Ronaldsay.

There are four barriers in total, two of which will be listed at Category A – the highest status for listing. This means that they are recognised as being of national or international importance. Only around 8% of Scotland’s 47,000 listed buildings are recognised at this category.

Elizabeth McCrone Head of Designations at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Travelling through Orkney now, it’s hard to imagine the islands as they were in late 1939, as a bustling naval base, living in constant fear of German U-boats getting past the inadequate block ship and net defences. It must have come as some relief when Winston Churchill gave the order to construct the barriers.

“Nowadays, the original function as defensive barriers is a distant memory, but their importance remains. They serve as a tangible reminder of Orkney’s past. The listing recognises their fascinating history and will help to keep the features which make them a unique and significant part of the island’s history, while still ensuring that they continue to be a vital transport link between the islands.”

Following a period of consultation and assessment by Historic Environment Scotland, barriers Three and Four are now listed. Because of longstanding development proposals affecting primarily Barriers 1 and 2, Historic Environment Scotland did not consider it appropriate to list these two structures at this time.

James Stockan, chair of Orkney Islands Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee, said: “The Churchill Barriers are as important today as when they were first built, providing lifeline links between three of our inhabited islands.

“They are recognised worldwide as unique monuments that serve as a powerful reminder of Orkney’s wartime past. It is fitting that those listed by HES now have the same status as other historic structures such as St Magnus Cathedral, Balfour Castle and the North Ronaldsay sheep dyke.

“Barriers 1 and 2 are, of course, equally important. It is welcome that we have time to explore interest among developers in the two Barriers forming part of a tidal energy generation project, along with ways to address wave overtopping during severe winter weather.

The Barriers’ crucial role in linking Orkney Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay is clearly recognised by HES and the listing will have no impact on the Council’s ability to look after the roads that cross the causeways. I welcome the recognition they have been given.”

Building long fixed barriers across bodies of tidal water presented unusual engineering requirements in the mid-20th century. In this period, solid causeways were not a normal response to civilian transport needs, with bridges or ferries usually preferred when open water had to be crossed. The barriers’ designers had to take account of the fast flowing tidal water in narrow, but relatively deep channels. The barriers were designed to withstand a 4-5 knot tidal current.

The barriers were ingenious in their construction. Built using bolsters, these wire cages or baskets were filled with broken rock and then dropped into the water of the channel. Most of this deep structure is underwater. A road carriageway formed from dumped aggregate and horizontally laid concrete blocks overlies the causeway base. In total, all four barriers required about 250,000 tons of stone rubble and 66,000 concrete blocks.

Churchill Barrier number Three is about 420m long and links Glimps Holm and Burray. Number Four is about 650m long and links Burray and South Ronaldsay. The scheme to build them was designed and supervised by Sir Arthur Whitaker, Civil Engineer-in-Chief of the Admiralty. The contractors were Balfour Beatty & Co Ltd. Italian prisoners of war who were interned at Lamb Holm formed part of the workforce that made the concrete blocks and built the structure.

About Historic Environment Scotland

  • As of the 1st October 2015, Historic Scotland and RCAHMS came together to form a new lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. The new body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
  • Historic Scotland is a sub brand of Scotland’s new public heritage body, Historic Environment Scotland
  • Historic Environment Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity. Scottish Charity No. SC045925
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Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016

  • 2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design started on 1 January 2016 and will end on 31 December 2016.  It will build on the momentum generated by the current 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
  • Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector.
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

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Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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