WORK to commemorate one of the city's last remaining ruins from the tragic Blitz bombing in 1940 is underway.

Builders have erected a 4.9m tall steel memorial archway in Blechynden Terrace Park, near Southampton Central Railway Station, as part of its plans to rejuvenate the historic site.

Construction will continue to work on the park, with new pathways and flowers beds also expected to installed.

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The crumbling wall within the park was once the site of the old Emperia Buildings, which housed BAT until its destruction during a German bombing raid 78 years ago.

The archway, which was the idea of planners at Southampton City Council, is positioned over the central pedestrian pathway inside the park, and will form a link within a gap, between the remaining ruined walls of the Emperia.

It’s part of the city council’s bid to improve the area, with the park being spruced up to draw it in line with the recent remodelling and renovation of the Station Quarter.

 

Within the application, the council said: “The design will provide the public with an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices and horror that must have been endured by its residents during the raids of Southampton.

“There are very few explicit reminders in the city that link back to the Blitz.

“Much of its promoted history harks back long before WW2, yet its architectural and structural form has so obviously been affected by the destruction of the bombings; perhaps without enough explanation.

“The arch will represent the city’s enduring strength and resilience.”

Southampton was targeted, mainly in the first phase of the Blitz, by the Nazi German Luftwaffe.

The city suffered badly from large-scale air raids as it was an important strategic target for the Nazis.

 

In all, there were 57 attacks, leaving nearly 45,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.

Previously, Bargate ward councillor, Cllr Sarah Bogle said she welcomed the “important” and “historic” proposal to celebrate and commemorate the city’s culture in principle.

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