We have known for quite some time of Drakelow's role as an RSG for the 60's and 70's and later RGHQ for the 1980's. In both cases providing a home for Regional Government, but thanks to the research work of Steve Fox we now know that it had an even more important role in the 1950's.

Those of us interested in such things have been long aware that there was a huge Central Government Headquarters located at Spring Quarry near Corsham, Wiltshire - code named Subterfuge (later re-named as Burlington and then Turnstile). This is where the main Government body would have retreated to in the event of nuclear war. It was also understood that there was a standby or backup site. This had always been believed to be the 'Valley Works' at Rhydymwyn in North Wales. However, thanks to Steve Fox's research at the Public Records Office, recently released documents revealed that the standby site - codenamed MacAdam, was actually to have been Drakelow. These plans had been approved and signed off by the Prime Minister Anthony Eden in September 1955. In one disturbing twist, following concerns about the Corsham site's ability to withstand H bomb attack in the 1960's the military suggested that it should be 'accidentally leaked' that Drakelow was actually the main site for the Central Government HQ in order to draw attention away from Corsham.

However anyone hoping to see remnants of MacAdam on our tours would have been dissapointed! Unfortunately the Government never found the funds to make any physical preparations for MacAdam at the former Rover underground factory. It was not until the 1960's that parts of the former factory were converted into the nuclear bunker for regional government - known as RSG9.

For the full story see Steve Fox's article on the Subterranea Britanica website. Click Here.