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Tarmac play key role in disposal of WW2 bomb

Controlled explosion (Photo: The Daily Telegraph)

Sand from Hints Quarry used in controlled detonation of unexploded bomb found in Birmingham

WHEN an unexploded World War 2 bomb was discovered by construction workers in Birmingham earlier this week, it forced the closure of Junctions 4 to 7 of the M6 and the A38(M) Aston Expressway – both crucial arterial roads into the city – and the suspension of trains into New Street, causing havoc for local residents and commuters.

Bomb disposal experts called in to deal with the situation opted to carry out a controlled explosion of the 70-year-old SC250 device, which weighed 250kg and contained 139kg of explosives. To safely detonate the bomb in situ, the disposal team surrounded it with 250 tonnes of sand direct from Tarmac’s Hints Quarry.

 

On receiving the team’s call for help, Tarmac worked quickly to get the sand delivered to the site. Project manager Paul Conlon said: ‘I received a phone call on Monday with a strange request asking for 250 tonnes of sand to be delivered to a site in Birmingham. At first I thought it was for delivery on Tuesday morning, which wouldn’t have been an issue.

‘But as the conversation went on they explained it was to surround an unexploded WW2 bomb that had been uncovered on a building site earlier in the day. We got on to it straight away and were able to deliver the sand to the site within five hours. The actual tipping of the sand was co-ordinated by West Midlands Police and the Ministry of Defence.’

 

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