Residents told to prepare after mystery metal objects found in Plymouth
The City Council say it's preparing for "all eventualities, just in case"
Last updated 15th Nov 2024
Investigations will be carried out in Plymouth on Monday (18 November) after two mystery metal objects were uncovered.
The items were found on land between Bath Street and Martin Street in Millbay last month.
The Council-owned land is in the early stages of development to transform the entire site into new Plymouth Community Homes affordable housing.
Whilst it is thought that the items are most likely reinforced concrete, or pieces of railway track, Plymouth City Council says it is planning for "all eventualities, just in case".
The local authority is asking local residents in Millbay to prepare in advance. It said: "Although there is no evacuation, planning ahead can save you from needing to return later in the day, on the small chance a cordon is put in place.
"Should the experts find that one or both items are not simply pieces of metal, they will need to assess the objects and determine how best to dispose of them. To do that, there is a small chance that a cordon would need to be put in place.
"Details of how large the cordon would be, or how long it would be in place, would be determined by experts’ assessment of the items on the day."
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: "As I said a few weeks ago, we don’t know what is under the ground in Millbay. Most likely it will be some reinforced concrete.
"However, as we need to be prepared for all possibilities, we are letting people know in advance. If our experts find anything that requires dealing with, they will consider whether a cordon is needed while they make the item safe.
"Whilst not essential, there are some things that people in the Millbay area might want to think about, particularly if they will not be at home during the day.
"For example, maybe have a think about where you would stay if a cordon was in place overnight and popping any spare clothes and medication in your bag before you leave the house in the morning, might make it a bit easier during the day.
"If we do have to have a cordon, people who do not take items with them will be able to return home for emergency items of course. But, on the off chance there is an evacuation, not having to return home will be one less thing to think about during the day."
The City Council is also asking those planning ahead to think about what friends or family they could stay with, if a cordon was in place overnight, or what arrangements they would need to make for their pets.