Spotted this Fuel Depot by chance whilst having a browse on Google maps. Not too far from home either, which is ideal. I don't believe it's had a report for 8 years, so worth an update, especially considering the recent destruction of the nearby Hempsted Depot in Gloucester.
The History
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.
In the 2000s, the government began looking to offload the system. Some locations were decommissioned, and the rest were sold off to the Spanish oil network operator CLH in March 2015. It was subsequently renamed the CLH Pipeline and is now known as the Exolum Pipeline, as CLH rebranded in 2021. The MOD has a contract to continue being supplied by the pipeline, which is slated to cost £237m up to 2025.
This particular site was constructed post war, being built between 1954-57 by Esso, as part of the North Somerset Complex of sites and pipelines for the storage of white oil products. It was originally connected by five pipelines but only one was operational by 1990. It was originally designed for distribution by road and rail with two rail gantries in the Tyntesfield Sidings, and three road gantries. The site was emptied and closed in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War. I would imagine the site was purchased by CLH in 2015 even though it's disused, as their branding is dotted around the site. It's certainly been forgotten about by them though, as it's not had the Exolum rebranding.
The Explore
Made two visits as it's so close to home. First was a recce to locate access, was the middle of the day, so there was a lot of people around on the nearby public footpath and the road passing the front of the site. Made a note of potential access points, and used the lovely weather to send the drone over.
Second visit, went bright and early to avoid too many people being around. Found my way to a lovely hole in the fence I spotted on the recce and I was in, and immediately had to start dodging a minefield of sheep shit, as the local farmer appears to be using the site to graze his sheep, and a couple of horses too.
Wandered towards the rail access first, and was surprised to see some sleepers still clinging on to life. Most of the siding appears to be in situ next to the main line, it's only been lifted inside the Depot. Couldn't find any signs of the rail gantries though.
There's the remains of a building relatively close to the road access. I'm sure it's related to the Depot, rather than having something to do with the railway station that used to be nearby like the information board on the public footpath suggests. Remains of the station are about 150m up the line from the Depot.
Nothing much of interest, empty rooms apart from some electrics and shit Graff -
Not much to see as far as the fuel tanks go unfortunately, access to all of them is completely blocked, so not much of a change from the previous report. Somebody managed to get inside one last year, but the farmer has now blocked it with a load of dirt.
Picked my way around the edge of the site, so as to avoid the sheep who had congregated near the pump house. There was the remains of a building I spotted on my recce, with some dismantled pipework, and a sump of some sort.
Saved the best for last; the pump house! It was wide open, nothing massive remaining, but there's a few small pumps dotted around, remains of numerous pipes and some interesting signage. Definitely the most interesting part of the explore.
North Somerset Government Civil Reserve Signage -
Motor/Pump of some description -
Not sure what this is for, certainly the newest installation on-site though -
Road Gantries -
Oddities -
Thanks for looking 👌🏻
The History
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.
In the 2000s, the government began looking to offload the system. Some locations were decommissioned, and the rest were sold off to the Spanish oil network operator CLH in March 2015. It was subsequently renamed the CLH Pipeline and is now known as the Exolum Pipeline, as CLH rebranded in 2021. The MOD has a contract to continue being supplied by the pipeline, which is slated to cost £237m up to 2025.
This particular site was constructed post war, being built between 1954-57 by Esso, as part of the North Somerset Complex of sites and pipelines for the storage of white oil products. It was originally connected by five pipelines but only one was operational by 1990. It was originally designed for distribution by road and rail with two rail gantries in the Tyntesfield Sidings, and three road gantries. The site was emptied and closed in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War. I would imagine the site was purchased by CLH in 2015 even though it's disused, as their branding is dotted around the site. It's certainly been forgotten about by them though, as it's not had the Exolum rebranding.
The Explore
Made two visits as it's so close to home. First was a recce to locate access, was the middle of the day, so there was a lot of people around on the nearby public footpath and the road passing the front of the site. Made a note of potential access points, and used the lovely weather to send the drone over.
Second visit, went bright and early to avoid too many people being around. Found my way to a lovely hole in the fence I spotted on the recce and I was in, and immediately had to start dodging a minefield of sheep shit, as the local farmer appears to be using the site to graze his sheep, and a couple of horses too.
Wandered towards the rail access first, and was surprised to see some sleepers still clinging on to life. Most of the siding appears to be in situ next to the main line, it's only been lifted inside the Depot. Couldn't find any signs of the rail gantries though.
There's the remains of a building relatively close to the road access. I'm sure it's related to the Depot, rather than having something to do with the railway station that used to be nearby like the information board on the public footpath suggests. Remains of the station are about 150m up the line from the Depot.
Nothing much of interest, empty rooms apart from some electrics and shit Graff -
Not much to see as far as the fuel tanks go unfortunately, access to all of them is completely blocked, so not much of a change from the previous report. Somebody managed to get inside one last year, but the farmer has now blocked it with a load of dirt.
Picked my way around the edge of the site, so as to avoid the sheep who had congregated near the pump house. There was the remains of a building I spotted on my recce, with some dismantled pipework, and a sump of some sort.
Saved the best for last; the pump house! It was wide open, nothing massive remaining, but there's a few small pumps dotted around, remains of numerous pipes and some interesting signage. Definitely the most interesting part of the explore.
North Somerset Government Civil Reserve Signage -
Motor/Pump of some description -
Not sure what this is for, certainly the newest installation on-site though -
Oddities -
Thanks for looking 👌🏻
cycle path next to it is always pretty constant with people isn’t it?
