Abandoned East Sussex: Brede Waterworks Nuclear Bunker
The nuclear bunker known as The Sussex (Brede) W.E.C (Water Emergency Control Centre) is on the site of Brede Waterworks, which was built to supply Hastings with drinking water. The waterworks today is home to a number of steam engines that used to pump water. You can see the Steam Giants in action and visit the bunker on its open days. These are held on the first Saturday of the month and every Bank Holiday Monday from 10am – 4pm.
History
Brede Waterworks Nuclear Bunker was one of three built by Southern Water to be used as an emergency control centre during a nuclear attack. The government wanted some facilities to be provided in the event of such an attack during the Cold War. The bunkers are located in Brede, Gillingham and Hampshire. The Brede bunker was built in the late 1980s, though it was never completed as work stopped on its construction in 1992, at the end of the Cold War. In the event of a nuclear attack around 20 key staff would shelter in the bunker in the hope that some operations could keep going and uncontaminated water could be supplied. The key Southern Water staff had enough supplies to survive for a month at most. At the time, when Southern Water were questioned on how safe water could be distributed after a nuclear war when the water had been poisoned by radiation they did not have an answer.
Exploration
The bunker is built into the side of a slope near the entrance to the waterworks site. It was covered in earth which is now grassed over. There is little indication of the bunker’s existence except two ventilation shafts coming from the ground.
The outer door is a simple wooden one – not one you would associate with a nuclear bunker. Once through the initial door there is a blast door a few feet away. Inside this is a small room with two decontamination showers to the left and the generator room on the right. Currently by the showers there are HAZMAT suits on display to show visitors the style of equipment used. This part of the bunker felt like a waiting room before you enter the main bunker.
Ahead there is another solid door to get through, and beyond this the bunker opens up. Inside you can explore the water supply room, the empty dormitories, air filtration room, dining room, kitchen and toilets. Inside the toilets are a number of cubicles with Elsan toilets. We have come across Elsan toilets a lot whilst exploring WWII shelters and so seeing an upgraded version for the 1980s was a treat. Another highlight was heading into the control room which included the escape ladder out of the bunker. This ladder leads to a manhole cover on the top of the bunker. In one room there is a Faraday Cage which would have housed the important electrical equipment to protect it from radiation damage. These cages are a rare find and most have been taken out of abandoned bunkers. It is lucky that Southern Water and the volunteers at Brede Waterworks have looked after and preserved the bunker so well.
Last Updated on 22 October 2024 by Michael