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The story of Observer Way & Bridge near Reading


Observer Way came about because a new road system was to be constructed and members of Wessex Archaeology uncovered the roof of an underground Monitoring Post located at the extreme end of a trench while working for Balfour Beatty as part of Wokingham Borough Council’s £124m Major Highways Project.  The Post’s location had been known but it was thought that the structure had been removed.

The exciting project was carried out by Balfour Beatty following their discovery of the Underground Monitoring Post at Arborfield near Wokingham during excavations. Having located the top of the post, they then had to excavate and remove the concrete shell.

The project  came to fruition with the erection of an amazing Memorial Boulder to remember the members of the Corps who had served in World War II on the above-ground Post, not forgetting the Seaborne member, and the underground Cold War Post.   
​
​The photograph shows the plaque, sponsored by Balfour Beatty, mounted on the Boulder which is of Derbyshire Gritstone generously donated by The Coombes Nursery and Infant School in Arborfield. ​

Click on images for larger version

Full wording on the plaque
The plaque mounted on the boulder
Diana Thorne of the Arborfield Local History Society became involved when the underground Post, erected in January 1961, was discovered and she found the ROCA Heritage website.  Diana has worked tirelessly with others to bring about this amazing result.

The Wartime Observer Corps Post was opened in 1936; following the success of the Corps in the Battle of Britain King George VI bestowed the title ‘Royal’, the only such organisation to receive such an accolade during Wartime.
 
Observer Way, connecting the A327 Reading Road and the A327 Eversley Road, was officially opened to the public on Monday, 16 November 2020.   A spokesman said “It has been a long journey from the abstract early strategic plans, collaboration with our residents, to the construction of the road, pathways and the green bridge over the last year. The key features of the new relief road include a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, a wildlife-friendly green bridge for ramblers and horse-riders, and a memorial stone in tribute of the Arborfield Royal Observer Corps who manned the nearby observation post from 1936.

​Not only do we have the plaque to remember our history but  the new relief road is known as ‘Observer Way’. The new bridge over the road is called ‘Observer Bridge’.
The Underground Monitoring Post following excavation
Observer Way completed
Observer Way with Observer Bridge in the background
It is particularly pleasing that descendants of the Observers are living in the village and can pass on their memories, particularly of testing relatives in aircraft recognition with the flash cards which were used at the time.

The Green or Observer Bridge is where Swallowfield Road crosses the new relief road (A327) at ‘New Cottage’.  The new relief road is now part of the A327 and it is called ‘Observer Way’.  The ROC Boulder Memorial is positioned on the left as we view the photo, up on the bank just a few yards this side of the bridge.  All walkers, horse riders and cyclists will pass close by and will be able to read the inscription.  ‘Green Bridge’ namely ‘Observer Bridge’ is quite significant.  No traffic (except horses , cyclists and pedestrians) will cross it. It is part of a of a public right of way, namely Footpath 17.

ROCA Heritage is incredibly indebted to Balfour Beatty for financing the project, Diana Thorne for overseeing and achieving the final result.  Also, Arborfield Local History Society, Arborfield Parish Council, Wessex Archaeology, and Wokingham Borough Council.

Edwina J Holden MBE
National Heritage Officer

                

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