Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Orford ... - English Heritage

uildings, are covered by a shingle traverse. To the north is a metal flag pole, which
may have also functioned as a lightning conductor. The building was entered from its
west side, to the south a double door opening and the north a single door. Both have
subsequently been sealed with breeze blocks, and more recently the National Trust has
inserted a steel-framed door into the blocked southern opening.
Internally, is a sunken brick-lined centrifuge pit, which is 8.06m (26ft 6in) in diameter
and 2.68m (8ft 9in) deep (Figure 40). To the south the base of the pit is accessed from
a flight of concrete steps. At its centre is a metal plate that supported the central
metal spindle of the centrifuge, a cable duct passes from the centre to a self-contained
basement equipment room to the northeast. Equally spaced around the wall of the brick
lined pit are four concrete piers columns on top of which are metal mounting plates,
which are set below the main floor level. These were probably used for mounting a
cruciform framework to support the top of the central spindle. In operation the top
of the centrifuge was floored over (AWRE nd, 14), also confirmed by a row of now
inaccessible coat hangers set high on the north wall. Along the top of each of the long
walls is a ledge that supported the rails of a travelling crane, which was used to install and
service the crane and lift test pieces into place. At the northern end of the building are
two self-contained equipment rooms, the one to the west, which could also be entered
from the outside. In the east wall is a blocked doorway that led to an emergency escape
passage through the shingle traverse. Adjacent to the main south door is a small wash
and toilet room.
Site infrastructure
Initially, AWRE Orford Ness relied on geographic remoteness to ensure secrecy and
security; it was separated from the mainland by a tidal creek and the further obstacle
of Stony Ditch. To the north the narrow strip that joined it to Aldeburgh was easily
observed. Around 1960 the security of the establishment was increased when a wire
mesh and barbed wire fence was erected. This was put up along the north side of The
Street and around the buildings on Orford Beach and comprised cranked concrete posts,
topped with barbed wire supporting a wire mesh fence. Along the line of the fence
were a number of V-shaped projections and at the corners larger rectangular bastions
that allowed the line of the fence to be monitored. On the Orford Beach side there
were also a number of gates to allow access to the beach. Most of the fence around
The Street remains in place, while the fence on Orford Beach has been removed and
in number of areas are piles of solid concrete blocks into which the posts were set. A
former employee (pers comm G Lohoar) recollected that the impetus for the fence
came from United States’ security advisors. On the beach are the remains of the
wooden Police Lookout Tower G7/38, it is 3.66m (12ft) square) and stands 9.6m (31ft
6ins) to the top of its eaves. On its top platform was a wooden cabin that allowed the
police to observe any movement on the beach or offshore.
To further ensure secrecy, in common with other defence research establishments, the
site’s activities were compartmentalised and access to and around the range was tightly
controlled. This was reflected by the presence of wooden barriers to block the access
roads to the various trials facilities. For safety reasons they would be closed prior to
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10 - 2009