Keyham WW2 bomb: Council has 'bent over backwards' in clear-up

Clear-up work in Plymouth has been completed by a council after a World War Two bomb was found, a leader says.

Plymouth City Council said life in Keyham had returned to "normal relatively swiftly" for many after the bomb was detonated on 23 February.

The council said liaison officers worked with residents at four properties due to damage caused by investigation and removal works.

Residents were also provided with named officers "around the clock", it added.

The council said that, following the removal of the 500kg (1,102lb) device, found in St Michael Avenue, officers immediately spoke to residents, including over the weekend, to support the four properties.

Work included removing large sandbags and piles of rubble on Monday, followed by a full sweep and clean of roads and pavements.

Tudor Evans, leader of the Labour-run authority, said it was lucky the disruption caused by the bomb was "short-lived".

He added: "However, for a small number of households, the Army did leave a lot of damage in their wake.

"Whilst this damage was not caused by us, the council has bent over backwards to help support the residents."

Mr Evans said one officer had helped residents establish what needed to happen next while they waited to hear from insurance companies.

He said: "There has been a vicious rumour online that officers have not been supporting the residents and alleging that people have been left in the lurch.

"This is very hurtful for the officers, as it could not be further from the truth."

He said named officers had been available 24 hours a day for the households.

"I believe one even sent flowers to thank one of the liaison officers for being there for them during this difficult time," he added.

Devon Labour MPs Luke Pollard and Ben Bradshaw are calling on the government to close what they call a loophole preventing some people and businesses from receiving insurance cover for damage caused by World War Two bombs.

The MPs for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport and Exeter have sent a joint letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, asking the Treasury to review whether a statute of limitations for bomb damage is needed to exempt damage deemed by insurers as an "act of war."

It was this argument that insurers Allianz used to win a court fight over a claim by the University of Exeter for damage to halls of residence caused by the detonation of a wartime bomb in 2023.

Mr Pollard sad: "There are almost certainly other World War Two bombs out there, waiting to be discovered, and each one has the potential to kill and destroy property.

"That's why closing this insurance loophole makes so much sense."

Mr Bradshaw said he had serious concerns about the "potentially serious consequences of a lack of redress and effective cover for businesses and private citizens who are victims of events that are entirely outside of their control".

He said: "Most people would think it extraordinary that insurers can wriggle out of responsibility by using an 'act of war' get-out clause for a conflict that ended nearly 80 years ago."

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