WWII Era Gravel Pits, New Cut, Benacre.
Benacre Pit was one of four extraction pits created during WWII by the extraction of gravel
that was used to construct such things as nearby runways (there are still runway remains at RAF Ellough Airfield) Pillboxes, Anti-Tank Blocks and other wartime defences. There were originally four ‘extraction pits’ in an area known as 'Benacre Ness' although only one now survives. The remaining Benacre Pit is a narrow water body extending from north to south being approximately 180ft wide and nearly 800ft long. It was separated from the North Sea by a sand and gravel embankment, until 1989 Benacre Pit was an isolated water body and was not affected by seawater overtopping the embankment. However, during 1989 the embankment was overtopped for the first time, the embankment was overtopped again in 1997 and since 2006, this has occurred annually, the sand embankment protecting the lagoon is currently very narrow. Adjacent to the centre of the lagoon, the embankment has been breached and, at the time of the 2012 survey a “tongue” of gravel extended into the lagoon from the eastern side.
There is the remains of what looks like a small road leading towards the Hundred River, possibly for getting vehicles in and out of the extraction pits ?
WWII Era Gravel Pits, New Cut, Benacre.
Benacre Pit was one of four extraction pits created during WWII by the extraction of gravel
that was used to construct such things as nearby runways (there are still runway remains at RAF Ellough Airfield) Pillboxes, Anti-Tank Blocks and other wartime defences. There were originally four ‘extraction pits’ in an area known as 'Benacre Ness' although only one now survives. The remaining Benacre Pit is a narrow water body extending from north to south being approximately 180ft wide and nearly 800ft long. It was separated from the North Sea by a sand and gravel embankment, until 1989 Benacre Pit was an isolated water body and was not affected by seawater overtopping the embankment. However, during 1989 the embankment was overtopped for the first time, the embankment was overtopped again in 1997 and since 2006, this has occurred annually, the sand embankment protecting the lagoon is currently very narrow. Adjacent to the centre of the lagoon, the embankment has been breached and, at the time of the 2012 survey a “tongue” of gravel extended into the lagoon from the eastern side.
There is the remains of what looks like a small road leading towards the Hundred River, possibly for getting vehicles in and out of the extraction pits ?