Roads Closed After Suspected WW2 Bomb Found at Industrial Estate

An area of Kirkby Industrial Estate was temporarily closed today after a suspected WW2 bomb was unearthed by construction workers. The discovery, made at around 1 PM on Birchall Road, prompted an immediate response from local authorities.

Emergency Response and Road Closures to the WW2 bomb

Merseyside Police swiftly cordoned off the area, restricting access to vehicles and pedestrians as a precautionary measure. The bomb disposal unit was called in to assess the situation, with the device located near the Baker Hughes oil factory.

Brendon Whittaker, a staff member at KR Webster on Birchall Road, described the sudden disruption:

“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.”

He added:

“We lifted the shutters when police lifted the cordon around 4 PM, but they had been on-site for around two or three hours.”

Connection to WWII History

Following an assessment, the bomb squad confirmed that the object was a solid piece of metal dating back to World War Two, rather than live ordnance. Due to Kirkby Industrial Estate being built on the site of a former WWII Royal Ordnance Factory, where munitions were produced and filled, there was a strong initial suspicion that the object could have been unexploded ordnance (UXO).

This area has a historic association with wartime activity, making such discoveries relatively common. Even decades after WWII, UXO risks remain a reality in areas with military history, emphasising the importance of proper site assessments before excavation or construction work begins.

Why UXO Risk Mitigation is Crucial

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the need for thorough UXO risk assessments before breaking ground on any construction or infrastructure project. At Brimstone UXO, we specialise in identifying and mitigating UXO hazards, ensuring that projects proceed safely, efficiently, and without unexpected delays.

If you are planning a construction or development project, contact our Commercial Team for a comprehensive UXO risk assessment tailored to your site’s history and potential risks.

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