London SE1 community website

Unexploded bomb found on Bermondsey building site

London SE1 website team

A large chunk of Bermondsey was sealed off by police on Monday morning after a presumed World War II unexploded bomb was found on a demolition site.

Unexploded bomb found on Bermondsey building site
Photo courtesy of James Clarke showing the hole where the UXB was found
Unexploded bomb found on Bermondsey building site
Photo of the site where the bomb was found. Courtesy of Cllr Lucas Green
Unexploded bomb found on Bermondsey building site
Just after 5pm these Army vehicles arrived
Unexploded bomb found on Bermondsey building site
Just after 5pm these Army vehicles arrived

Follow http://twitter.com/se1 for the latest reports from the scene.

The bomb was discovered at the corner of The Grange and Grange Walk where the former council offices at Evelyn Coyle House and Mabel Goldwin House are being demolished to make way for a new housing development.

Police say that the bomb is around 5ft long and is believed to weigh 1000 lbs.

Roads in the area bounded by Tower Bridge Road to the west, Abbey Street to the norrth, Alscot Road to the east and Willow Walk to the south were cordoned off by police.

Children from Boutcher Primary School, Kintore Way Children's Centre and Ellen Brown Bermondsey Play Centre were all evacuated.

"We are working closely with the emergency services who are leading the operation to identify and respond to the bomb," said Southwark Council in a statement.

"The police have now evacuated residents who live within 200 metres of the bomb site. This mostly affects the Neckinger Estate, Vauban Estate, St Saviour’s Estate south of Abbey Street, Aylwin Estate, Alscot Road and Curtis Way.

"If you live within this area you will not be allowed into your home and should go to one of the rest centres in Canada Water."

The statement added: "We would advise people to stay away from the area if at all possible, especially at rush hour.

"We are awaiting more information about next steps once a comprehensive assessment of the bomb can be carried out."

Animals were carried to safety from Andrew Kirby vets in Grange Road.

The emergency services took over the car park of Harris Academy Bermondsey as a marshalling point for their vehicles.

Rest centres have been set up at Rotherhithe's Seven Islands Leisure Centre and Canada Water Library.

Follow http://twitter.com/se1 for the latest reports from the scene.

Official advice from Southwark Council


Listen to audio
Comments

Have you been affected? Post an update in our forum

Join the discussion right now
Share
The SE1 website is supported by people like you
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.