At Seven Arches Farm the River Colne flows beneath a high railway viaduct. On the S side of the viaduct the river is shallow and it was clearly thought that tanks could cross at this point as the remains of a large number of cut-off steel anti-tank rails can be seen in the ground covering a distance of 60/70 yards along the river bank.

From TL 9633 2600 there is a 6’6 high concrete wall built into the embankment up to the level of the grass. This is perhaps 30 yards long x 4’6 wide. In this, the cut-off ends of c.50 RSJ’s can be seen in two rows. There is then a gap of a few yards with the remains of concrete on the river bank. The third section is sloping grass embankment for some 27 yards to the viaduct pillar. In this, the concrete footings and crop marks of a large number of cut-off anti-tank rails can be seen. These are in four or five rows comprising about 100 rails and covering a depth of perhaps seven yards. It is not known if the gap between the first and third section comprised a continuation of the wall which has now collapsed or more rails in individual footings in the grass.

Five photos of site.<1><2>

SITE ASSESSMENT: Remains of anti-tank rails are rare in Essex. Along the Eastern Command Line four sites have been recorded (SMR 10939/MCC5104, 10946/MCC5108, 10952/MCC5112 and 10968/MCC5007) including those extant at Lexden Bridge (SMR 10939/MCC5104). This site is particularly unusual for its large number of cut-off rails.

See also <3>.