World War Two air raid shelters found under playgrounds in Bristol
The shelters are now being filled in as they were deemed unsafe by structural engineers.
Friday 1 May 2020 22:20, UK
Abandoned air raid shelters have been discovered under four schools in Bristol.
According to council documents, the shelters were found last year below the playgrounds of the schools and two of the shelters have already been filled in after they were deemed dangerous.
Three of the schools are Air Balloon Primary, Hillcrest Primary School and Chester Park School.
Bristol City Council has set aside £75,000 to make the other bunkers safe.
In the documents, it said: "Last year we identified four schools with underground air raid shelters below their playgrounds.
"Following reports for a structural engineer, it was identified that these were in a poor condition and required to be infilled. Two of the structures were in very dangerous condition and we dealt with last year."
It added: "Due to the cost of the works already completed, the remaining budget is insufficient. This item is to cover the anticipated short fall in the budget to complete the final two items of work."
The work forms part of a £2.5m programme of repairs over the next 12 months to primary schools and other Bristol City Council buildings.
During World War Two, Bristol was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe between November 1940 and April 1941.
Nearly 1,300 people died and 1,303 were seriously injured during six major bombings.
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In the first raid, on 24 November, more than 200 people died, 187 were seriously injured and 1,400 were made homeless.
After five months of bombing, more than 81,000 homes were destroyed.