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Anderson shelter removal

soeg44soeg44 Posts: 8
in Problem solving
I have an anderson shelter at the bottom of my garden and unfortunately the ground around it is all falling in. This is starting to cause an issue for my summerhouse as the ground is subsiding from the back. The anderson shelter is fully submerged in the ground and has earth on top.

I know it's not going to be a quick or easy job to remove, so I'm looking for some advice.

Do I remove the earth on top, remove the corrugated sheet metal, and then fill in the hole? Do I cut the top off, leave the corrugated sides for stability and then fill in the hole? It's going to be quite a deep hole and I don't want to risk the ground around the summerhouse subsiding any more. I have an offer of some bricks to fill the hole in with but some have mortar on. Is there a risk that these will contaminate the soil? Are there other options for what to fill in the hole with? I'll fill in a good depth on top with soil over the bricks. It's likely I'll build a shed on top when the ground is fully settled.

Any advice is welcome!

Thanks!

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 26,432
    They must have been terrifying times when these structures were built
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • dave125dave125 Posts: 178
    Is there no way you could preserve and keep it. They're incredibly scarce these days and I'm sure a local history group would be very interested.
    Luv Dave
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,287
    No idea how to help you, but I once went to view a property that was for sale by auction. It had an Anderson shelter, still standing, in the dining room😁.

    We didn’t bid for it. 😊
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • ManderMander Posts: 335
    Is there any way to reinforce it and fill in the subsiding soil? I don't think I'd worry too much about mortar on bricks contaminating the soil but it could be a fun garden feature. At least I think I'd be happy to have one! Like a secret cave that I could also stash my garden tools in. Or a bench and some fairy lights for hanging out in the evenings.
  • apearcehpapearcehp Posts: 1
    Your on the right track I would say.
    No the bricks with mortar on wouldn’t contaminate the soil unless they were contaminated there selves.

    If it were me I would cut roof down middle (from on top) bridging with some planks if necessary pull corrugated iron out and back fill with all soil or partially with hardcore if you choose.
    you would have to be the judge whether anything will subside into hole but I would have backfill ready before commencing.


  • Plot75Plot75 Posts: 69
    How lucky...I would love one in 'retro corner' at the plot.
    Mix 2tbsp of white,granulated sugar with 1tbsp of water and place on a spoon for a Bee to reach. Sometimes they're too exhausted to reach back to the hives when it's hot and dry. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,432
    edited April 2020
    I keep going back to the picture and imagining the family sheltering there. That's just me. It's your garden. Get rid if it if you want to. I'd keep it.
    However,if it was in the dining room, it would creep me out and I would get rid!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • soeg44soeg44 Posts: 8
    I contacted the local history museum who have said they already have some original anderson shelters and there's quite a few still in existence so it's fine for me to remove it.

    I think I'm going to remove the sheet metal and put in some supports just in case the walls decide to fall in. I'll then get some old bricks/rubble and fill the hole with this and soil to ensure it's compact. It would be nice to keep the shelter but it's not particularly safe to have kids/pets around it. Also the space above it could be better used.

    Thanks for all your comments everyone.
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