Hamble anti-aircraft gun to move on 16 February
Piece of WW2 history to be saved from the sea
The World War 2 anti-aircraft gun overlooking the beach at Hamble Point will be moved on Tuesday 16 February to a new location within Hamble Common Car Park - to save it from falling into the sea.
Part of the adjoining car park has been fenced off to allow work to take place – but the remainder will also be closed from Monday evening while the gun is shifted to its new location at the other end of the car park.
Damage caused by years of buffeting by tides and wind, and undercutting by the sea, means the original gun emplacement structure had been breaking up and there was a very real risk of collapse. A survey on the gun emplacement will be carried out to see if the original structure can be saved.
The gun emplacement’s wartime role was to guard the approach to Southampton and protect nearby oil terminals. The Bofors anti-aircraft gun will be stored within the car park whilst the survey is carried out.
The Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice & Hound Local Area Committee has been working in partnership with Historic England to ensure the gun has an appropriate setting and is saved.
Councillor Tonia Craig, who chairs the Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice & Hound Local Area Committee, said: “The Bofors gun at Hamble Point is an important part of the area’s wartime heritage and a real point of interest for visitors. The Local Area Committee was keen that work got under way to rescue it from damage by the tides and we are grateful to Historic England for their support.”
