UNIQUE FEATURES OF DRAKELOW TUNNELS

UNIQUE FEATURES OF DRAKELOW TUNNELS


Drakelow Tunnels and the RGHQ Cold War Nuclear Bunker is the largest underground complex formerly open to film crews and the general public in the UK. With 3.5 miles of underground tunnels and 284,931 square feet at our disposal, space was not an issue. From photo shoots, music videos, TV dramas and documentaries to Hollywood blockbusters and events, Drakelow Tunnels has seen it all.

Unique features of Drakelow Tunnels:

3.5 Miles of Tunnels and 284,931 square feet of space.

Only site in the UK to ever house a WWII Shadow Factory, Regional Seat of Government and Nuclear Bunker in one location.


ROVER NO. 1D SHADOW FACTORY


Rover No. 1D Shadow Factory is the entire complex, housed within this are 3.5 miles of internal tunnels and 284,931 square feet of space, which includes:

1. Production Area - 56,774 sq ft.

2. Rover Offices - 1,838 sq ft.

3. General Offices and Sick Bay - 17,533 sq ft.

4. Canteen - 10,050sq ft.

5. Toilets - 3,625 sq ft.

6. Main Corridors - 32,824 sq ft.

7. Time Offices, Tannoy System, Electric Cart and original WWII factory clocks.

ROVER NO. 1D SHADOW FACTORY

REGIONAL SEAT OF GOVERNMENT 9


R.S.G. 9 was the Governments Regional Headquarters for the Midlands (Defense Region 9) from 1962-1979 and would be used if the UK was under Nuclear Attack. The R.S.G. is located at the western end of the Shadow Factory and covered 50% of the entire complex. The remaining features of R.S.G. 9 include:

1. Offices & Dormitories.

2. Main Corridors & Connecting Galleries.

3. Water Treatment Works.

4. Lamson Tube Station.

5. BBC Studio.

6. Kitchen & Dining Areas.

ROVER NO. 1D SHADOW FACTORY

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS 9.2


R.G.H.Q. 9.2 was built within R.S.G. 9 and updated from 1979-1980 to a Nuclear Bunker, with the addition of Air Locks and Blast Doors. The R.G.H.Q. would of controlled Defense Region 9 and coordinated with other R.G.H.Q.s and the main Government Headquarters - Burlington, in Corsham, Wiltshire, in the event of Nuclear War. R.G.H.Q. 9.2 was operational from 1980-1993. The remaining features of R.G.H.Q. 9.2 include:

1. Blast Doors, Air Locks and Decontamination Block.

2. British Telecom Communications Room.

3. BBC Studio.

4. Computer Room.

5. Generator Hall and Air Conditioning Plant.

7. Male & Female Dormitories and Toilets.

8. Switch Gear Room and Power Station.

9. Main Corridors & Connecting Galleries.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS 9.2

The complex is 0.6 of a mile in length and can be accessed by one main tunnel and one adit. The main entrance to Tunnel 4 measures 16ft wide and 19ft high which is large enough to fit a HGV inside. Adit "A" is a personnel access point, small equipment only can be brought through this entrance. Parking is available at the entrance to Tunnel 4 and the dedicated car park at Adit "A".


Below are some examples of former uses post closure in 1993


MILITARY TRAINING - SEARCH & RESCUE - POLICE TRAINING - FIRE TRAINING


Drakelow Tunnels were also used by a variety of independent, government and professional organisations for training purposes. The sheer size of the complex and its warren of tunnels and offices were used to simulate: Close Quarter Combat (CQB), Search & Rescue, Sniffer Dog & Cadaver Dog Training and Confined Space Fire Training.


MUSIC VIDEOS SHOT ON LOCATION AT DRAKELOW TUNNELS


The Amateurs - The Rebel (2010)

Directed by Chris Stone

Actor Richard Jack

The Amateurs are an Indie Rock Band band formed in and around Birmingham, England.. They released their debut EP Homesick in March 2009, which was championed by Kerrang Radio, who had supported the band since awarding them Best Unsigned Song of 2007.

In April 2010 The Amateurs were selected from thousands of European acts to be "The Sound of Bamboo", a product launched by WACOM. Their second single "Saturday Night" accompanies the Bamboo television advertisement.

After playing a series of shows with Eliza Doolittle (singer) at some of Scotland's Universities in October 2010. Their debut music video and most successful single to date "The Rebel" was a James Bond inspired video, "The Rebel" became the band's fourth single and was released on 31 January 2011.


Isolated Atoms - Gun in my hand (2012)

Directed by Andy McGeechan

Edited by Huw Bowen

Isolated Atoms were formed in Walsall in 2009 and are: Grant Leon Ashman (Vocals) David Davis (Bass/Keyboards) Mark Neat (Guitars) Jake Yang Osei-Tutu (Drums).

The promo takes upon the mantle of paranoia whilst the track is about the killing of John Lennon by the obsessed fan Mark Chapman in 1980.


Kids in Glass Houses - Animals (2011)

Directed by Nick Bartleet

Kids in Glass Houses are a Welsh Rock Band formed in 2003 and are: Aled Phillips (Vocals), Iain Mahanty (Rhythm Guitar), Philip Jenkins (Drums & Percussion), Joel Fisher (Lead Guitar) and Andrew "Shay" Sheehy (Bass Guitar).

The Band are from Pontycymmer, Cardiff, Wales. Their name is inspired by by the lyrics "not throwing stones at you anymore" from American post-hardcore band Glassjaw from Long Island New york. The band achieved success on the strength of the singles " GiveWhat I Want " and "Saturday " off their debut album Smart Casual in 2008. The band released their second album Dirt in early 2010, releasing four singles; most notably "Matters At All ". The band's third album, In Gold blood, was released on 15 August 2011. Their fourth album, 'Peace', was released on 30 September 2013.

On 26 February 2014, the band announced their break-up and a farewell tour to commence on the 5th October playing all across the UK. The band released a statement on their Facebook page, thanking supporters and haters alike, before revealing the tour dates.


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