Plymouth WW2 bomb removal effort praised by lord mayor

Experts removed the ordnance on the back of an army vehicle

Plymouth's lord mayor has thanked those involved in the removal of an unexploded World War Two bomb and evacuation of thousands of people.

The German bomb found in St Michael Avenue, Keyham, in February, was transported through the city before being detonated at sea.

At a council meeting, Mark Shayer thanked those "who worked around the clock" to remove the device.

He praised military personnel, councillors and residents.

Police and bomb disposal experts at the scene near St Michael Avenue, Plymouth

The discovery prompted "one of the largest UK peacetime evacuation operations", according to the Ministry Of Defence.

Mr Shayer said: "Our thanks go to the officers of the council who worked around the clock with our partners to ensure a good outcome..."

'Bravery'

Plymouth City Council established the Life Centre as a rest centre, which it said served 1,000 people over three days.

The council also said it arranged temporary accommodation for 180 households.

The device was moved from the Keyham area of the city to the Torpoint Ferry slipway

Mr Shayer said: "I would like to thank our military personnel whose bravery was clearly shown through spent time assessing the device and driving it through our city - a level of risk it is hard for many to understand."

He also praised the people of Keyham for their "forbearance and assistance they provided to each other".

'Community spirit'

The council said it had also helped in the aftermath of the military operation when some damage was caused to properties.

Council leader, Tudor Evans, said that whilst it was not the council's role to pay for repairs to private properties following an emergency, Building Plymouth, a partnership led by the council and made up of construction companies across the city, had offered its support at no cost to the residents or the council.

"This is another example of everyone coming together to show community spirit during an emergency," he said.