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| Huge network of tunnels discovered under Primark store in Kent | |
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| A little known network of tunnels that caused a sinkhole in the car park of a Kent Primark, date back to the Second World War, according to a local history group. | A little known network of tunnels that caused a sinkhole in the car park of a Kent Primark, date back to the Second World War, according to a local history group. |
| Subsidence fears forced the clothing giant to carry out emergency repairs to its store back in May. | Subsidence fears forced the clothing giant to carry out emergency repairs to its store back in May. |
| It is the second time in three years that the ground has sunk because of the tunnels, according to the Thanet Hidden History Facebook group, which pictured them before they were secured. | It is the second time in three years that the ground has sunk because of the tunnels, according to the Thanet Hidden History Facebook group, which pictured them before they were secured. |
| The group also said the tunnels were created during the Second World War. | The group also said the tunnels were created during the Second World War. |
| However, when the company that owns the shopping centre submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Defence asking for details of the tunnels and their previous usage, the Government said it held “no information” on the issue. | However, when the company that owns the shopping centre submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Defence asking for details of the tunnels and their previous usage, the Government said it held “no information” on the issue. |
| The network of passages was discovered when a sinkhole emerged in 2015 and led to emergency repair work being carried out, Kent Live reports. Another sinkhole appeared in May. | The network of passages was discovered when a sinkhole emerged in 2015 and led to emergency repair work being carried out, Kent Live reports. Another sinkhole appeared in May. |
| The Primark store re-opened at the end of July with many shoppers unaware they were walking above a hidden network of tunnels. | The Primark store re-opened at the end of July with many shoppers unaware they were walking above a hidden network of tunnels. |
| New photos released by Thanet Hidden History show the stone tunnels complete with stairs, brickwork and piles of rusted metal barrels. | New photos released by Thanet Hidden History show the stone tunnels complete with stairs, brickwork and piles of rusted metal barrels. |
| There are a number of other wartime tunnels in the Thanet area. | There are a number of other wartime tunnels in the Thanet area. |
| The region on the Kent coast was one of the most likely sites for a German invasion during the wars and was the first part of Britain that many German bombers passed over on their way to conduct attacks. | The region on the Kent coast was one of the most likely sites for a German invasion during the wars and was the first part of Britain that many German bombers passed over on their way to conduct attacks. |
| On 24 August 1940, 500 bombs fell on the area in just five minutes. | On 24 August 1940, 500 bombs fell on the area in just five minutes. |
| In response, hundreds of families from nearby Ramsgate began living in a vast network of underground tunnels. | In response, hundreds of families from nearby Ramsgate began living in a vast network of underground tunnels. |
| The network housed shops, canteens and even a hospital. Concerts were held to entertain the 300 or so families living underground. | The network housed shops, canteens and even a hospital. Concerts were held to entertain the 300 or so families living underground. |
| The tunnels were constructed in 1939 on the eve of war. Some were converted from old railway tunnels. | The tunnels were constructed in 1939 on the eve of war. Some were converted from old railway tunnels. |