Unexploded bombs at Mappleton beach to be cleared by private firm on four-year contract

The range at former RAF Cowden was used as a bombing range for 40 years by the RAF, and before that by the Home Guard and Army.

Until now military personnel have been involved in the clear up of thousands of practice bombs which fall out of the fast-eroding mud cliffs onto the beach at Mappleton, which is popular with families and dog walkers.

Brimstone Site Investigation Ltd was awarded the four-year contract after a tender process - the first of its kind awarded to a commercial organisation by the Defence Industry Organisation.

The DIO, is part of the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for planning, building, maintaining, and servicing military infrastructure.

The company will regularly monitor and clear the beach, with signs and red flags going up to warn visitors when they are working.

Aaron Florence, Managing Director from Brimstone Site Investigation Ltd said: "Brimstone is delighted to engage with DIO’s specialist teams to deliver a first-class service in land remediation and threat reduction and we stand poised to begin this next chapter with DIO and the MOD.

"Our innovative approach in using drone technology, machine learning, and other technical solutions stand us apart."

The range was originally farmland which was requisitioned pre WW2 in around 1938 for an Army Tank range

Practice shells were fired by tanks aiming at moving targets speeding down a railway track against a backdrop of the North Sea. During the war years different units trained on the site using artillery, mortars, grenades, and small arms.

When the RAF took it on in 1959 they set up static targets on the clifftops and later out at sea. Locals got used to the constant racket of jets screaming in to drop their bombs.

The range was closed in 1998.

A clearance team worked for over a decade on the Herculean task of trying to clear everything from ammunition, to grenades and tank shells.

In just four months in 2002 52,000 items of ordinance were cleared.

Adell Vass, DIO’s Head of Regional Delivery Central said: "We are pleased to announce the award of this contract to Brimstone Site Investigation Ltd and look forward to working with them.

"The safety of the public is our first priority. Warning signs have been placed and red flags will be visible when activity is taking place. Unexploded ordnance is dangerous, and the public are reminded to adhere to the warning signs and not pick up or remove any objects as it could cause serious injury.