Digging to uncover Millbay's mystery objects begins this morning

Millbay residents, businesses and visitors are being warned to be prepared for anything as diggers begin their work to uncover mystery metal on a barren patch of ground. In October the council said major works on unused land between Bath Street and Martin Street in Millbay was halted after investigations revealed two "unknown metal objects" under the concreted.

In its first statement the council made absolutely no mention of World War II ordnance, confining itself to merely stating that "in all likelihood the items will be old, abandoned equipment, the council has to prepare for all eventualities."

However, the council did warn that if the items were not "simply pieces of metal" they will need to be assessed, adding there was "a small percentage chance that a cordon would need to be put in place". They explained the 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."

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport revealed to his Facebook followers that the object were "magnetic" and reminded them that "after our experience of the Second World War bomb in Keyham, I know some people may be worried about what these objects could be. I have been working with the city council to make sure we have a thorough plan to investigate the site and keep people safe at every stage."

He went on to reveal that "experts including Brimstone UXO and colleagues from the military bomb disposal teams, will be carrying out an ‘uncovering’ to establish what the anomalies are.

"During this work there will be no need to evacuate or extend the existing cordon - currently limited to the site itself."

He warned that if experts did find World War II ordnance "they would need to assess the device/s and determine how best to make them safe. To do that, there is a small percentage chance that the cordon (currently limited to the site itself) would need to be extended. Details of how much the cordon would be extended or for how long, would be determined by experts’ assessment of the device/s size and stability and their plan for making safe."

The council-owned land is in the early stages of development to transform the entire site into new Plymouth Community Homes affordable housing. During ground investigation works, the two metal objects were identified underground and the council has been keen to stress that they could be any number of things, including reinforced concrete or pieces of track from the old railway station which was located nearby.

Millbay residents have been told that if they are away from their homes on Monday morning they may want to prepare themselves if - in a Keyham-repeat scenario - they cannot return to their homes for several hours or longer.

The current warning on the council website reads:

Residents leaving on Monday morning e.g. to go to work or an appointment, might want to consider packing a bag to take with them, to include any medication, mobility aids, a change of clothes, battery or phone chargers or clothes/items for children .

Also, those planning ahead might want to think about what friends or family they could stay with, if a cordon was in place over night, or what arrangements they would need to make for their pets.

Councillor Sally Haydon, Plymouth City Council 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."

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson has told PlymouthLive the digging work is expected to begin at 9am on Monday, November 18.

For more information, please go to: www.plymouth.gov.uk/millbay-operation for further updates, or follow PCC on social media or the Council’s new What’s App channel

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