The History provided by @Webbs0710
The Government Pipelines and Storage System (GPSS) was first conceived in 1936 as part of planning for a potential war with Germany. The MOD recognised that the country's very survival may well hinge upon air superiority, and it was estimated that the country only had enough aviation fuel reserves to survive 10 days of war. Multiple sites were chosen for the construction of fuel tanks, which were to be partially buried to conceal them from enemy air attack.
Following the declaration of war in September 1939, the vulnerability of the existing road and rail network to enemy bombardment was recognised. Work to construct an underground pipeline linking the Stanlow Refinery in Liverpool to Avonmouth Docks commenced, with system being operational by 1942. This allowed supplies to be distributed quickly, irrespective of which port the oil was landed at.
The next phase was to link the ports to the numerous RAF airbases in the Midlands, South and the East of the country, which made steady progress, even with work having to take place overnight to avoid detection. By 1944, there was 1,000 miles of pipelines, with this being extended further to service USAF airbases, with a further extension from the Isle of Wight to Cherbourg being added in August 1944 to serve the PLUTO pipeline (PipeLine Under The Ocean).
PLUTO continued to be extended, following the allied advance towards Germany, with it eventually reaching the banks of the Rhine. Following the war, the main GPSS Pipeline was extended further to serve the many civilian airports that began popping up. It reached a length of over 1,600 miles, remaining secret throughout the Cold War. The existence of the pipeline was no longer considered an Official State Secret after the end of the Cold War.
The explore
Our second successful explore of the day after failing most @Webbs0710 having visited before lead the way this was a nice easy walk in always a bonus especially as it was starting to drizzle
Our first stop was the office block fairly trashed but still containing some original features
We then headed to the switch room
Next was the manifold house containing all the pipe valves
Finally we checked out fuel tank 6 as the door was cleared of any debris and was pleased so find it open
A quick pic of another fuel tank on the way out
Thanks for looking
The Government Pipelines and Storage System (GPSS) was first conceived in 1936 as part of planning for a potential war with Germany. The MOD recognised that the country's very survival may well hinge upon air superiority, and it was estimated that the country only had enough aviation fuel reserves to survive 10 days of war. Multiple sites were chosen for the construction of fuel tanks, which were to be partially buried to conceal them from enemy air attack.
Following the declaration of war in September 1939, the vulnerability of the existing road and rail network to enemy bombardment was recognised. Work to construct an underground pipeline linking the Stanlow Refinery in Liverpool to Avonmouth Docks commenced, with system being operational by 1942. This allowed supplies to be distributed quickly, irrespective of which port the oil was landed at.
The next phase was to link the ports to the numerous RAF airbases in the Midlands, South and the East of the country, which made steady progress, even with work having to take place overnight to avoid detection. By 1944, there was 1,000 miles of pipelines, with this being extended further to service USAF airbases, with a further extension from the Isle of Wight to Cherbourg being added in August 1944 to serve the PLUTO pipeline (PipeLine Under The Ocean).
PLUTO continued to be extended, following the allied advance towards Germany, with it eventually reaching the banks of the Rhine. Following the war, the main GPSS Pipeline was extended further to serve the many civilian airports that began popping up. It reached a length of over 1,600 miles, remaining secret throughout the Cold War. The existence of the pipeline was no longer considered an Official State Secret after the end of the Cold War.
The explore
Our second successful explore of the day after failing most @Webbs0710 having visited before lead the way this was a nice easy walk in always a bonus especially as it was starting to drizzle
Our first stop was the office block fairly trashed but still containing some original features
We then headed to the switch room
Next was the manifold house containing all the pipe valves
Finally we checked out fuel tank 6 as the door was cleared of any debris and was pleased so find it open
A quick pic of another fuel tank on the way out
Thanks for looking
