Army carry out controlled explosions in Holderness as erosion reveals bombs

British Army bomb disposal experts have been working to protect the public in Holderness by making the coastline safe after erosion revealed “a significant pocket” of buried and unexploded devices.
British Army officials working at the beach in Holderness. Picture: MOD.British Army officials working at the beach in Holderness. Picture: MOD.
British Army officials working at the beach in Holderness. Picture: MOD.

Members of the 29 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search) Group, of 35 Engineer Regiment, have been clearing Cowden Sands, Mappleton, for more than three weeks.

A 600-acre area of the beach in Holderness was formerly used by the RAF and US Air Force as a practice bombing range until 1998.

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North Holderness councillor Barbara Jefferson said: “The bombs have always been in that area.

Controlled explosions needed to be carried out in Holderness after erosion revealed old bombs. Picture: MOD.Controlled explosions needed to be carried out in Holderness after erosion revealed old bombs. Picture: MOD.
Controlled explosions needed to be carried out in Holderness after erosion revealed old bombs. Picture: MOD.

“Quite clearly the Ministry of Defence have been doing a fantastic job but they can only remove them if they’re dead.

“I know it upsets an awful lot of people but it has to be done.

“You cannot remove them when they’re live.”

She said that the beaches nearby were heavily populated at the moment and reminded people that they “really shouldn’t” go south of Cowden.

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The range targets were situated at the top of a cliff above Mappleton Beach, which is situated on the fastest eroding coastline in the United Kingdom.

This rapid erosion has led to significant amounts of ordnance being exposed on the beach itself.

The brigade has been operating on the coastline to ensure that controlled explosions of ordnance found are carried out in a safe way.

Moving to reassure residents, Troop Commander, Second Lieutenant Sam Turner said: “Ministry of Defence explosive ordnance clearance teams have attended the beach on numerous occasions to make the beach safe for the public but recent erosion has revealed a significant pocket of buried unexploded ordnance which has fallen onto the beach and now needs to be removed.

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“The safety of the public is always our first priority. Warning signs have been put up and red flags are visible.

“The public are reminded to adhere to the warning signs and not to pick up or remove any objects.”

The ordnance removal task began on July 13 and the team has made approximately 1,000 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) safe, says the Army, with the majority having to be destroyed in controlled explosions.

Any items deemed free from explosives were removed from the beach and transferred through the logistic chain to be repurposed. The majority of UXO had been practice bombs, aircraft projectiles and land service ammunition such as the historical two-inch mortar, also known as two-inch howitzer.

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Second Lt Turner added: “The weather determines how much work the team has, because things can change overnight as to what new items are unearthed. At one point, we thought we had completed the task, but then 170 items appeared overnight with the next tide”.

The 29 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search) Group will complete their task on Wednesday. A long-term plan to deal with unexploded ordnance on the beach is being developed and will be procured later this year through the Counter Explosive Defence Engagement Office.

It is against the law to pick up military materials from the Mappleton/Cowden beach under the Royal Air Force Cowden Byelaws 1977.

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