Artillery shells hold up construction works in Warrington

Construction work in Latchford, Warrington, was brought to a halt after two unexploded artillery shells were discovered during excavation. The World War II-era ordnance caused significant disruption, leading to the evacuation of nearby homes, a road closure, and two days of delays for the construction project.

Emergency response and evacuations

Upon discovery of the shells, site workers immediately contacted the police and emergency services, who enforced a safety cordon and evacuated several local residents. As a precaution, affected families were provided overnight accommodation in a nearby hotel while they awaited further updates.

Due to safety regulations, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams cannot carry out controlled detonations at night. As a result, the artillery shells remained on site until the following day, when an Army EOD team was able to dispose of them safely.

What are artillery shells?

An artillery shell is a hollow, carrier-type projectile designed to deliver various types of payloads, including:

• High explosive (HE) – Designed to destroy targets using blast and fragmentation.
• Chemical agents – Used historically for gas warfare.
• Smoke or illumination – Deployed for battlefield visibility or concealment.

Unlike solid shot projectiles, which rely purely on impact and kinetic energy, artillery shells contain an internal fill that detonates upon impact or after a set delay.

These munitions vary significantly in size, ranging from small-calibre autocannon shells (20mm) to massive siege artillery shells (up to 800mm), such as those used by the German military during World War II.

If you’re interested in learning more about UXO contamination in the UK, you can take a look at our blog here.

How did these shells end up in Warrington?

The discovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in urban areas is not uncommon, especially in regions with a wartime history of military activity, munitions production, or bombing raids.

During World War II, Warrington was home to several military installations and factories producing war materials. It was also a key transit and training location for troops. As a result, various forms of unexploded military ordnance – whether from training exercises, abandoned stockpiles, or misfires – can still be encountered decades later.

Avoiding costly construction delays

The Warrington incident highlights the importance of UXO risk assessment before starting construction work. Had a Brimstone UXO engineer been on-site at the time, the unexploded shells could have been identified, assessed, and neutralised much sooner, minimising delays.

Brimstone UXO provides:

• Pre-construction UXO risk assessments – Identifying potential hazards before work begins.
• On-site UXO support – Ensuring swift action in the event of a discovery.
• UXO clearance and disposal – Mitigating risks to keep projects on schedule.

As the UK’s only government-assured UXO company, Brimstone UXO provides comprehensive risk management solutions for construction, infrastructure, and environmental projects.

Whether you require proactive UXO risk assessment or an immediate response to an unexpected find, Brimstone UXO has the expertise to handle UXO challenges efficiently, safely, and in compliance with regulations. To find out more about services, explore our website.

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