Work on unexploded World War 2 bomb in Great Yarmouth delayed over safety concerns
Experts were working to enable a controlled explosion
Last updated 22nd Dec 2023
Work on an unexploded World War Two bomb in Great Yarmouth has been delayed over safety concerns.
The metre long device, which weighs a quarter of a tonne was dredged up from the River Yare on Tuesday by contractors working on the Third River Crossing.
Norfolk Police have now confirmed work army specialists were carrying out to enable a controlled explosion has been paused over safety concerns.
They say the device, in Bollard Quay, is in a hazardous location with two main gas pipes - a low pressure pipe and a medium pressure supply running along Southtown Road - near the bomb.
On the advice of experts, overnight, the army’s bomb disposal specialists halted plans to start cutting into the bomb.
A team of scientific experts from the Defence Science and Technical Laboratory – which advises the British Army on blast science - are putting together a number of options so emergency services, partner agencies, gas engineers, bomb specialists and environmental experts can consider the next steps.
What are the Police saying?
Norfolk Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Davison and the Chair of the Strategic Co-ordinating Group set up through Norfolk’s Local Resilience Forum, said: “This is a complicated and unique situation. It became clear over night that the mainline gas pipes are in proximity to the bomb and therefore pose an additional, and potentially dangerous risk should the bomb detonate as EOD attempts to disarm it and make it safe.
"This serious complication must be properly considered and evaluated before further direct work can be undertaken on the bomb.
“This is painstaking work and is causing huge disruption to people but it’s critical that we follow expert advice and do not take unnecessary risks because this device is unstable and should it detonate, poses a significant to life and property.
“A team of scientific experts together with the emergency services and local authority partners are currently trying to work out the best way of resolving this situation as safely and as quickly as possible.
“On behalf of all the agencies working together to bring about a safe resolution, I would like to thank the public and communities in Great Yarmouth for their understanding and resilience.
"We know this is disrupting your life and all agencies are working very hard to resolve this as soon as we can but with safety and preservation of life at the heart of what we’re doing.”
A 400-metre cordon remains in place at the scene.
Rest centres
Rest centres remain open at St George’s Theatre in King Street or the Mesh, Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre, Magdalen Way, Gorleston.
Road closures
Road closures are in place at:
• Southtown Road – closed from its junction with Tollgate Road all the way to Beccles Road.
• Litchfield Road, off Southtown Road, is partially closed.
• Williams Adam Way, off Southtown Road, is closed.
• Boundary Road, off Southtown Road, is partially closed.
• Tollgate Road, off Southtown Road, is closed.
Emergency helpline
An emergency helpline for people who require assistance with evacuation from the exclusion zone is also still available. This helpline is 01493 330369 and should not be used for general advice.