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Wooler playpark where 176 bombs were found closed until summer | Wooler playpark where 176 bombs were found closed until summer |
(32 minutes later) | |
A total of 176 "practice" bombs have been found in Wooler, as well as other pieces of munitions | A total of 176 "practice" bombs have been found in Wooler, as well as other pieces of munitions |
A playpark where 176 bombs from World War Two were found will be closed for several months, a councillor says. | A playpark where 176 bombs from World War Two were found will be closed for several months, a councillor says. |
The first of the practice devices, which still contain a charge, was discovered in Wooler, Northumberland, last month, followed by much larger finds. | The first of the practice devices, which still contain a charge, was discovered in Wooler, Northumberland, last month, followed by much larger finds. |
Local Conservative councillor Mark Mather said the total cost of the clear-up was more than £40,000 and was "disappointed" the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would not pay for it. | |
The MoD said its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment operated at "extremely high-readiness" where there was "an immediate risk to life". | The MoD said its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment operated at "extremely high-readiness" where there was "an immediate risk to life". |
It is believed the area was used as a Home Guard training ground and the ordnance was buried at the end of the war. | It is believed the area was used as a Home Guard training ground and the ordnance was buried at the end of the war. |
It was discovered when work began to add a £150,000 fully inclusive playpark to the existing area in Scotts Park. | It was discovered when work began to add a £150,000 fully inclusive playpark to the existing area in Scotts Park. |
The ordnance carries a charge and therefore needed to be recovered | The ordnance carries a charge and therefore needed to be recovered |
"We've just about finished clearing the site now but there's a long way to go before we can reopen," Mather said. | "We've just about finished clearing the site now but there's a long way to go before we can reopen," Mather said. |
"I'd like to thank the contractor Brimstone Site Investigations for their professionalism but I'm really disappointed in the MoD. | "I'd like to thank the contractor Brimstone Site Investigations for their professionalism but I'm really disappointed in the MoD. |
"We've had the cost of the survey, hiring a digger and now removing the ordnance but apparently the MoD has no mechanism to financially support us or remove the items themselves." | "We've had the cost of the survey, hiring a digger and now removing the ordnance but apparently the MoD has no mechanism to financially support us or remove the items themselves." |
Only two pieces of play equipment are left undamaged | Only two pieces of play equipment are left undamaged |
Northumberland County Council has agreed to cover the cost of the operation to make the playpark safe. | Northumberland County Council has agreed to cover the cost of the operation to make the playpark safe. |
Mather hopes contractors will be back on site by April or May and would love to see the park reopen "on the first day of the summer holidays". | Mather hopes contractors will be back on site by April or May and would love to see the park reopen "on the first day of the summer holidays". |
In a statement, the MoD said: "The UK's EOD Regiment has supported the local authority in Wooler, advising them on how to safely remove any further ordnance." | In a statement, the MoD said: "The UK's EOD Regiment has supported the local authority in Wooler, advising them on how to safely remove any further ordnance." |
It added that the regiment "is a small unit, responding to requests across the country". | It added that the regiment "is a small unit, responding to requests across the country". |
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. | Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. |
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