In 1979 Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher was elected as the new British Prime Minister. One of her first roles in office, was to review of the UK’s current and ageing Civil Defence Plans for Nuclear War. Since the “Spies for Peace” scandal of 1963 and the locations of the RSG’s revealed to the world, it was obvious that a new network of Nuclear Bunkers were needed to run the country from, if Nuclear War occured. The old RSG’s were to be replaced by 22 purpose built Nuclear Bunkers called: Regional Government Headquarters (R.G.H.Q.).
The 22 new bunkers were to be scattered across the UK, 15 in England, 2 in Wales, 4 in Scotland (Reduced to 2 in 1983) and 1 in Northern Ireland. Region 9.2 was controlled by R.G.H.Q.9.2 – Drakelow and covered Shropshire, Hereford and Worcester.
Drakelow was designated the lead Regional Government Headquarters (RGHQ) for Defence Region 9. The decision to locate the RGHQ within the former Regional Seat of Government (RSG) was straightforward, though it required a significant reduction in size – less than half the original RSG footprint – and staffing, from 350 down to 120 personnel.
Work to upgrade Drakelow to RGHQ standards began in 1980 and was expected to take one year. In reality, the conversion lasted until 1986, at a cost of over £2 million at the time.
The upgrades were carried out in phases, starting with defining the RGHQ area and separating it from the old RSG using brick partition walls – much like the 1961 separation from the Rover Shadow Factory.
Entrance security presented a curious contrast: while the adits were fitted with triple blast doors, the main access via Tunnel 4 retained its original WWII wooden doors. This left parts of the complex relatively secure, but the tunnels themselves vulnerable. It wasn’t until 1992 that these wooden doors were finally replaced with steel blast doors.
The old BBC Studio in Drakelow – The fate of 5.6 million people from the Midlands would have been broadcast from this room, if Nuclear Weapons were dropped.
Photo courtesy of Miss Helen File of Ellie Brook Photography
As the Cold War came to an end, the UK government shifted away from the Regional Government Headquarters (RGHQ) system. The planned Central War Headquarters (CWGHQ) in Wiltshire was abandoned, and instead, focus moved to two new centralised facilities: PINDAR, a £126 million purpose-built bunker beneath the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, and the Joint Operations Centre at Northwood. These sites were to manage any future national crises.
In 1993, Drakelow RGHQ 9.2 was officially decommissioned by the Home Office. After the removal of all equipment, the site was handed over to W.S. Atkins Property Services for disposal.
Drakelow remained on the market until 1994, when it was purchased by its current owners, the Robinson Family.