An area of Kirkby Industrial Estate was closed today after a suspected WW2 bomb was discovered.

Police cordoned off the area just after 1pm after construction workers found the device on their site on Birchall Road. Bomb disposal units were called in to investigate the device near the Baker Hughes oil factory.

Brendon Whittaker, a member of staff at KR Webster on Birchall Road, said: “Police blocked vehicles from travelling down Kirkby Bank Road and a man in a high vis jacket came into the store and told us to put the shutters down and move to the back of the shop.“

Mr Whittaker continued: “We lifted the shutters when police lifted the cordon around 4pm but they had been on site for around two or three hours.“

WW2 Royal Ordnance Factory Site

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said that the bomb squad had removed the suspected device and had confirmed that it was a solid piece of metal that dates back to WW2. It was believed to have been an unexploded bomb due to Kirkby Industrial Estate having been built on a former WW2 Royal Ordnance Factory that was used for filling munitions.

The importance of UXO risk mitigation services

This incident highlights the importance of assessing UXO risks before starting any large-scale excavations or intrusive works on construction sites. By leveraging our expertise in this field, Brimstone strives to ensure that projects can proceed with safety and confidence.

If you have a new or upcoming construction project and you want to get your site assessed for UXO risks, reach out to our Commercial Team.

You can keep up to date with Brimstone by following us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube.