New Brighton WW2 bomb: Bomb squad locks down seaside town with huge cordon
Train services have been suspended after police rushed to the scene in New Brighton, Wallasey.
A seaside town has been put on lockdown after a suspected World War II bomb was found. A bomb squad has swarmed the area in the Wirral with train services suspended.
A huge cordon remains in place in New Brighton in Wallasey, after police first rushed to the scene at 10.50am.
Coastal Drive, by The Dips, is currently closed by police and Merseyrail services between New Brighton and Birkenhead North are suspended.
Merseyrail said that services will be starting and terminating at Birkenhead North. Merseyside Police have been approached for a comment.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm we received a report of what is believed to be an unexploded ordnance device in New Brighton today, Tuesday 12th March.
"At around 10.05am we received a report that the device had been found in an area near Coastal Drive.
"The Army’s EOD team have been notified.
"There are road closures in place while the matter is being dealt with and people are advised to avoid the area. Local train services have also been affected."
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'Hope everyone keeps safe'
This is the third World War II device found in recent weeks.
Emergency services closed nearby roads and cancelled trains after a World War Two bomb was discovered in Bradford.
Another was discovered in Plymouth.
First Plymouth, now New Brighton! Seems there\u2019s a lot of WW2 Bombs being found recently!! Hope everyone keeps safe
\u2014 Joel Hardy \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@joelhardytravel) March 12, 2024
Sandbags being put out
Sandbags are now being put out at the scene ahead of what it is thought will be a controlled detonation of the bomb.
The sandbags have now arrived @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/aNt1g9aOJS
\u2014 Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) March 12, 2024
Roads remain closed as bomb disposal work continues
Coastal Drive and a number of other roads surrounding The Dips in New Brighton remain closed as bomb disposal teams deal with the suspected Second World War bomb.
Rail services are also disrupted between New Brighton and Birkenhead North with replacement bus services in place.
Red box put in bomb disposal van
The latest video from the scene can be found below:
A red box has just been put in the back of the bomb disposal van @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/zLSVO6Gn13
\u2014 Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) March 12, 2024
Locals shocked at discovery
Folk living in New Brighton say they are shocked at the discovery of the bomb.
One woman at the scene told the Liverpool Echo she was "just walking on here only yesterday" adding she was "shocked".
Dozens have turned up to watch the bomb be disposed of as teams begin digging.
The EOD team are still currently working @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/lTbaREflkM
\u2014 Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) March 12, 2024
Bomb disposal work begins
Bomb disposal work has begun by the cliffs in New Brighton's The Dips.
Bomb disposal appear to be focusing in the cliff areas of The Dips @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/AZSYuOINgf
\u2014 Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) March 12, 2024
Trains in chaos
Mersyside Rail has been forced to suspend services between New Brighton and Birkenhead North as a result of the cordon.
A spokesperson said: "Due to a police incident, services are currently disrupted between New Brighton & Birkenhead North. Rail Replacement buses are in service between Birkenhead North & New Brighton. The buses will not stop at Wallasey Village due to road closures."
Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue are all at the scene @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/lKL75qd5zW
Video from the scene
The first video from the scene shows a huge cordon in place with Mersyside Police, paramedics and firefighters in attendance.
Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue are all at the scene @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/lKL75qd5zW
\u2014 Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) March 12, 2024
Police statement in full
Merseyside Police have told the Liverpool Echo:
We can confirm we received a report of what is believed to be an unexploded ordnance device in New Brighton today, Tuesday 12th March.
At around 10.05am we received a report that the device had been found in an area near Coastal Drive.The Army’s EOD team have been notified.
There are road closures in place while the matter is being dealt with and people are advised to avoid the area. Local train services have also been affected.
What do we know so far?
The Dips in New Brighton is currently on lockdown with a huge police cordon surrounding the scene.
Police have confirmed they were called to reports of an unexploded ordnance earlier today.
Bomb squad have been called in, with trains in chaos due to Merseyrail services between New Brighton and Birkenhead North being suspended.
Welcome to our live blog
Hello! We'll be bringing you all the latest updates after a suspected World War II bomb was found in New Brighton, Wallasey.
More to follow.