MP calls for MoD to fund Plymouth WW2 bomb clean-up

An MP has called for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to pay for damage to properties after the removal of a World War Two bomb from a Plymouth street.

More than 10,000 people were evacuated from Keyham when a 500kg (1,102lb) device was moved and detonated at sea.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said some people would need long-term support after the incident.

He said it was not "too much to ask" for the MoD to fund repairs.

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Mr Pollard said the MoD had programmes of compensation support.

He said people in Plymouth were "deeply grateful for the military" but said he thought those whose properties had been damaged during the removal of the unexploded bomb should get the support they needed "to get their lives back on track".

Mr Pollard said: "The Ministry of Defence should be the people that are able to pay for this.

"That is the case that I made yesterday to the minister and that would be the normal practice in these situations."

Olivia, who lives next door to the house on St Michael Avenue where the bomb was found, said there was "thousands of pounds" of damage to her property.

Olivia, who did not want the BBC to use her surname, said the week had been an "emotional rollercoaster".

Mr Pollard said the incident had brought back "some quite painful memories" of the shooting in Keyham in 2020.

"There's a lot of consequences, not just for the people on St Michael Avenue, but for lots of people that were affected by the shooting in 2020," he said.

"My team and I have been helping folks in a vast range of situations.

"I want everyone to get the support that they need for this because this is no-one's fault."

The Plymouth MP said there was a "longer-term problem" due to the number of bombs dropped on the city during World War Two.

"This is probably not the last time that an unexploded bomb from World War Two is going to be found so if anyone discovers one next time they need the peace of mind to know that they are insured," he said.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "More than 100 personnel from the British Army and Royal Navy were involved in the successful disposal of an unexploded bomb discovered at a residential property in Plymouth which included one of the largest evacuation operations since the end of the Second World War.

"We are aware of a small number of issues raised by residents following completion of the operation and are looking into these as a priority."

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