Guide Square

Following World War II, there was a major housing shortage across the UK, which had to be rapidly fixed. In Blackburn, which had escaped major bombing apart from two rogue bombs heading for the Royal Ordinance Factory, there were large plans for new housing across the town. One of the temporary housing soloutions was Guide Square. 

Nowadays it's nothing more than overgrown mess, but the streetlights, drainage, sewers, and surfacing are still present, albeit in a dilapidated state. The site is hidden from the B6231 by two earth mounds across from the Corus steelworks. The site is not private property, indeed, people walk their dogs on this land frequently.

The site has been visited by various Sabristi, including David Miller in January 2004. In January 2005 the SABRE Awayday was held in Blackburn and most attendees went to visit.

	The streetlighting columns are 1950s standard, which are in surprisingly good condition given they have had zero maintainence since the site was demolished.
	There are still visible surviving kerbs around this corner.
	The bracket from this column disappeared on my first visit to the site in 1999, which is a mystery as a concrete bracket must weigh several hundred pounds.
	This section of the Square is relatively intact compared to the remainder of it.
	This view shows all the manholes and features of the Square present and correct, despite the age of the site.
	A lamp column which is suffering from spalling.
	The lanterns still remain, although there is zero evidence of a bulb - it appears that corrosion has taken place owing to the elements.
	Another view of the corrosion on the lanterns.
	There is still a door on this column, although it has rusted over the years. It is unlikely any control gear remains intact inside the column.
	This photograph by David Miller shows a lantern close up.