York Historic Environment Record

During the Second World War a roadblock was established on the Northern extent of Lendal Bridge between Lendal Tower and the adjacent café building. The roadblock consisted of a pair of large concrete blocks cast into the pavements on each side of the road, along with sockets for anti-tank vertical rails which were embedded into the road’s surface. Images of the roadblock also show moveable anti-tank cylinders, cast from oil barrels, located next to the roadblock. The latter would have been deployed to add an additional obstacle in front of the anti-tank vertical rails. At the time of survey (26/05/2022) no remains of the roadblock were visible and it is likely the roadblock was removed later in, or after, the Second World War. The roadblock is visible in a series of images within the "Ebor” Invasion Exercise held within the Imperial War Museum’s collection. Images taken on 2 November 1941 show the roadblock erected across Lendal Bridge.

York sat within the area of responsibility of Northern Command. Northern Command’s Headquarters were also located in York at Tower House, Fishergate.

The River Ouse provides a ready made anti-vehicle obstacle which would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible for enemy vehicles to cross without specialist equipment.
Lendal Bridge’s importance as a major vehicular river crossing, as well as a natural choke point, would have ensured the bridge was a prime objective for attackers and defenders alike. The location of this roadblock would have ensured that enemy vehicles attempting to cross Lendal Bridge from the Southwould be halted and subject to attack from defending infantry. As with all defensive obstacles, the Lendal Bridge roadblock would have been covered from adjacent firing positions, which were likely to have once been established in the surrounding buildings. Without additional documentary information it has not been possible to identify these supporting positions.

Chris Kolonko 2020

2022, Lendal Roadblock (Unpublished document). SYO2868.