A school located in Plymouth has been compelled to shut down after the discovery of two enigmatic metal items believed to be remnants of World War II ordnance beneath its premises.
Millbay Academy, commonly referred to as the ‘Red School’ by locals, is situated on a portion of council property currently undergoing excavation for a prospective community housing project.
However, during the investigative digging, two unidentified metallic objects were unearthed, leading the council to take precautionary measures by closing the school while the origins of these items are examined.
The council clarified that these objects could potentially be various items, such as reinforced concrete or sections from the old railway tracks that used to be positioned in the vicinity.
In a Facebook post, local MP Luke Pollard informed residents that the ordnance was ‘magnetic’ and remarked, ‘following our experience with the Second World War bomb incident in Keyham, I understand that some individuals may feel concerned about what these objects could entail.’
‘I have been collaborating with the city council to ensure that we have a comprehensive plan in place to inspect the site and safeguard the public throughout the process.’
He also noted: ‘Specialists, including Brimstone UXO and teams from military bomb disposal units, will be executing a thorough examination to determine what the anomalies represent. During this phase, there will be no necessity to evacuate or alter the current cordon, which is presently confined to the site itself.’
Mr. Pollard further cautioned that should any World War II ordnance be identified at the site, experts would need to analyze the objects and devise the safest method for their disposal.
‘To accomplish this, there exists a minimal percentage probability that the cordon, which is currently limited to the site itself, may have to be broadened. Details regarding the extent of the cordon’s expansion or the duration of such measures will rely on the experts’ evaluation of the objects’ size and stability, as well as their safety procedures.’
In an announcement on its website, the school declared: ‘Millbay Academy will be closed to secondary students on Monday, 18th November 2024, as a precautionary measure.
‘This decision is aimed at ensuring safety during the investigative efforts concerning two subsurface objects identified near the school premises. While it is likely that these items are harmless remnants of previous infrastructure, further assessments will be undertaken by experts from the Local Authority to confirm this.’
To ensure that students do not miss educational opportunities, the school has indicated it will offer ‘online learning materials through Google Classroom.’
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