Work to remove Millbay bomb continues after delays

Plymouth City Council said in an update at 4pm today (January 15) that is has been advised by the Royal Navy bomb disposal team that enhanced scanning equipment is expected to arrive on site shortly. This will help determine the safest way to make the WWII device safe.

It said: "While we don’t yet know the findings or recommendations from the expert team regarding next steps, we have made the following decisions regarding tomorrow:

• Millbay Academy will be closed tomorrow. Over the weekend, the council will work with the school to ensure parents are kept updated.
• Ballard House will remain closed tomorrow for any meetings or appointments.
• The Moxy Hotel will continue to be closed until the device has been made safe.

"The current cordon still remains in place and vehicles parked within the cordon area, including those in the Brunel Car Park, cannot be accessed or removed until the cordon is lifted.

"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we prioritise safety. Further updates will be shared as soon as we have more information."

Two bombs were found in Devon yesterday (Wednesday, January 14).

One in Plymouth and one in Exmouth.

Plymouth City Council has said:

We have received a number of enquiries about why the device was only just recovered now.

During 2024, the land off Bath Street was surveyed to locate bedrock. This identified two potential anomalies, which were both discovered to be harmless.

Since Martin Street car park was closed, we’ve been able to carry out a more detailed UXO survey that wasn’t possible before due to the car park surface. This enhanced survey detected another anomaly.

Further testing and a risk assessment indicated that it was appropriate to uncover the anomaly under the supervision of UXO specialists, as part of standard safety procedures.

Commenting on the ongoing incident in Millbay, Luke Pollard MP said:

“I want to thank everyone involved in responding to the discovery of the unexploded Second World War ordnance in Millbay this week. The work of the emergency services, the armed forces, Plymouth City Council staff, and all those supporting the operation has been carried out with professionalism and care under very challenging circumstances.

I recognise the considerable disruption this incident has caused for residents, students, workers, and local businesses, and I know this has been an anxious time for many people. However, public safety must always come first, and the steps being taken are absolutely the right ones to protect lives and prevent a far more serious outcome. I am grateful to everyone for their patience, cooperation, and community spirit, which once again shows Plymouth at its very best.”

Plymouth City Council shared an update on The Moxy Hotel, which was evacuated when the bomb was found on Wednesday:

"Update about the Moxy Hotel in Millbay: The Moxy Hotel was evacuated yesterday and will remain closed until the device on the adjoining site has been made safe. The hotel ensured all guests had alternative accommodation, but we understand many left quickly.

"If you are a current guest and left items behind in your room, you can return to collect them. Please approach the cordon and speak to the Police – they will escort you to the hotel and back again.

"Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this operation."

Read the full story here.

The recovery of a World War Two bomb in Plymouth may be delayed while a "much larger" device is made safe elsewhere in Devon.

In a staggering coincidence, two historic WW2 bombs were found in Devon within hours of each other.

A German SC50 bomb was uncovered at a building site in Martin Street during ground investigation works on Wednesday, January 14.

Read the full story here.

Read the full story here.

A photo-gallery of the bomb site cordon, which has been enlarged today, can be found here

Plymouth City Council said in an update:

"There have been no changes overnight. Royal Navy bomb disposal experts are currently awaiting specialist X-ray equipment to help determine the safest way to make the WWII device safe. We are hopeful this equipment will arrive in Plymouth today.

"However, it’s important to note that a much larger unexploded historic device has been found in Exmouth, which has resulted in a significant evacuation there. The same X-ray equipment will also be used in Exmouth, so at this stage we are uncertain about the timings for its arrival in Plymouth. We will update this page as soon as we know more.

"To reiterate: There is currently NO further evacuation of neighbouring residential properties. The map below shows that the impacted area is largely industrial or local businesses."

Read the full story here

Bomb disposal units arrives at around 8.15am on Thursday. Work on the site was called off on Wednesday night after darkness fell, but it is expected to continue this morning.

Bomb disposal arrived at 8.15am. Police thnk it is RN, but worth checking. Bomb believed to be near Bath Lane.

Ballard House open for workers but no one else, PlymouthLive understands.

We've also told the Moxy Hotel is allowing people in to collect belongings.

The school said in a statement: "Thank you once again to our school community for your continued patience and support.

"Following advice from the authorities, Millbay Academy will be closed tomorrow and students will move to remote learning.

"Please check your Arbor App messages and emails for the full 8pm update and all remote learning information.

"We will share further updates from 9am tomorrow."

• There may be an additional evacuation of a small number of properties tomorrow.At this stage, we do not know which properties will be affected or the exact timing. We will share further details as soon as they are confirmed. However, we anticipate that this will be for a short period. An Evacuation Assembly Point will be set up at Christ the King Church Hall (on Armada Way). It will be open during the evacuation to provide help and support.

• Millbay Academy will be closed. The school will be liaising with parents and student contacts.

• Ballard House will also be closed, for those who have meetings or appointments in the building.

• Moxy Hotel will remain closeduntil the operation to make the device safe has concluded.

Work to remove the device in Millbay will continue today, experts said, after attempts to make the scene safe were dropped after nightfall.

As more people are expected to be evacuated today (Thursday, January 15) a new evacuation assmebly point will be set up. This will now be at Christ the King Church Hall (on Armada Way).

The council say that it will be open during the evacuation to provide help and support.

It has also been confirmed that council building Ballard House will also be closed on Thursday. For those who have meetings or appointments in the building, these will not go ahead.

The police have said that more people are likely to be evacuated tomorrow (Thursday, January 15) as they continue their operation. A spokesperson said: "There may be an additional evacuation of a small number of properties tomorrow.At this stage, we do not know which properties will be affected or the exact timing.

"We will share further details as soon as they are confirmed."

Royal Navy bomb disposal experts and Police have confirmed that the device will not be able to be made safe on Wednesday night. This is due to limited daylight and the need for additional equipment.

The force have said that therefore the operation will pause overnight and resume on Thursday (January 15) morning.

For those that were evacuated by police Plymouth Cathedral has been made an evacuation assembly point. The council have recommended people with nowhere to stay overnight head to the building.

Although evacuation is not mandatory, residents in the affected properties are strongly advised to leave their homes for their own safety.

Millbay Academy confirmed it will remain closed tomorrow and will move to remote learning.

Plymouth City Council said in a statement:

This continues to be a major incident.

A 100 metre firm cordon remains in place around the construction site.

However, in addition the police have introduced a 400 metre ‘line of sight’ cordon.

This means that a small number of residential properties along Millbay Road, that are considered to be in direct line of sight of the device have been advised to evacuate.

Although evacuation is not mandatory, residents in the affected properties are strongly advised to leave their homes for their own safety.

Those residents are encouraged to make arrangements to stay with friends or family overnight while the device is made safe.

For those who need support, particularly if they don’t have anywhere to stay, the Council has opened an Evacuation Assembly Point at Plymouth Cathedral.

The Cathedral will provide help and information for anyone without alternative accommodation, along with light refreshments.

Plymouth City Council added that if police has not requested that you evacuate your home, you do not need to leave your property.