description: Tunnel Quarry was one of the four sub-depots of the Central Ammunitions Depot, parts of the converted Bath stone quarry are still security classified sites today. The quarry connects to the northern edge of Spring Quarry and also had a link to the GWR main line at the eastern portal of Brunel's Box Tunnel.
photos: thanks to the MOD for allowing the use of this photo
history:
Located South-East of Bath, Tunnel Quarry forms part of the converted stone quarry tunnel complex beneath JSU Corsham (formerly known as RAF Rudloe Manor).
The quarry was acquired by the War Department after being used to extract building stone for the last century. The quarry was extensively converted, regular storage bays were created, the floor was flattened and air conditioning and lighting was fitted through out.
The regular conditions were needed as Tunnel Quarry formed part of the Central Ammunition Depot, an amazing labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, around one hundred feet below ground covering an area of around 200 acres in four sub-depots, which between them housed over 350,000 tons of ammunition.
At the eastern portal of Brunel's Box Tunnel, a branch line from the main London to Bristol railway line leads into the heart of the depot and terminates at a half-mile long underground railway station. Most of the underground area is now abandoned. The quarry is still strictly controlled by the MOD as several areas are still classified including the Command and Control Computer Centre (CCC) in the eastern part of the quarry, which is accessible via lift from a discreet bunker style entrance in Peel Circus. Another area known as South-West Control is also still in use at the opposite end of the quarry, this area was originally set a side as storage district 1 but it was never converted, it was later converted it to a telephone exchange and switching room, it's current day use is unknown.
primary network communication center:
To the Western end of Tunnel Quarry was an area which was the proposed number 1 district as part of the ammo stores, however due to a severe geological fault this area was never developed by Royal Engineers however the air ministry did make use of it 1943 when they converted it in to South West Contol, a military communications center which opperated up until the 1990s.
web links: CAD Corsham - the central ammunitions depot of which this quarry was a part of. South-West Control - a more modern military area within Tunnel Quarry. Box Tunnel - more about Brunnel's Box Tunnel. RAF Rudloe - sit's on top of the quarry. Box Quarry - an ajoining quarry. Spring Quarry - an ajoining quarry.
