Construction of Northumberland play park halted after discovery of 157 WWII bombs
More than 150 of the unexploded World War 2 ’practice’ devices have been uncovered on a play park construction site in Wooler, Northumberland.
Construction work on a play park in Wooler has been halted by the discovery of more than 150 World War Two-era bombs. Contractors working on behalf of Wooler Parish Council began work on January 6, but less than week later workers on the £150,000 project reported they had uncovered a "suspicious object" whilst digging foundations.
Northumbria Police were contacted as the object bore a "striking resemblance" to a World War Two shell. An officer who had previously served as an army engineer was deployed before the bomb disposal squad from Catterick Barracks attended the site. They confirmed the object was a World War Two training device, and removed it for safe disposal.
However, as soon as work restarted another device was uncovered. The Ministry of Defence advised that a full site survey would need to be carried out by a specialist firm to recover any additional devices and dispose of them. Experts Brimstone were appointed, but soon it was obvious that the scale of the problem was far greater than had been anticipated.
Despite the fact the ordnance was identified as a practice bomb, it still carried a charge and therefore need to be recovered and disposed of. The first day of work saw 65 10-pound practice bombs recovered from an area less than one metre square.
The second day of work uncovered an additional 90 practice bombs, bringing the total to 157. It is understood the area was used as a Home Guard training area during the war.
The parish council were faced with the significant disposal cost of £750 per device - on top of initial costs of £4,900. Coun Mark Mather, who represents Wooler on Northumberland County Council, said: "I was pleased to be able to secure the £138,099 funding from the county council’s regeneration scheme towards the fully inclusive playpark.
"Last week’s findings are a huge setback to the project and I would like to thank Wooler Parish Council for their professionalism dealing with the issue. I will continue to work with the Parish Council to see where additional funds could come from to ensure this project can continue despite the findings of the survey."
Northumberland County Council has agreed to cover the current estimates for the work. A spokesman for the council said: "The county council has been pleased to support the town and the local community in progressing this new facility which will be a great asset for both local residents and visitors, as part of the regeneration package delivered in the town alongside the new Ad Gefrin distillery and other improvements.
"Clearly this find was unexpected but we are pleased to have been able to find the extra funding to allow this crucial work to be done safely."
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "At around 2.30pm on Tuesday, January 14, we received a call from workers excavating an area in Scots Park on Weetwood Road in Wooler, Northumberland.
"It was reported they had found a metallic object – believed to be an old mortar shell. Officers attended the scene along with an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team (EOD) as a precaution.
"It was confirmed to be an old training round, and the item was later safely removed from the area. Shortly after 1.35pm on Wednesday, January 15, we received a similar report, and it was again confirmed to be an old training round.
“Both calls were made in good faith, and there is no wider threat to the public. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty."
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