Deep survey to assess if bombs are in Route Isabelle

The bombs’ suspected location was highlighted in October by leading local bomb disposal expert Ben Remfrey, who criticised a previous Home Affairs-commissioned survey of the area in 2019 for only probing to a depth of four metres into the ground when historic documented evidence suggested the bombs were at least 26 feet – or nearly eight metres – deep.

After Mr Remfrey went public with his concerns, and following representations made to Home Affairs by residents and landowners in the area, the committee re-engaged with the UK’s Ministry of Defence, and a review of the case was undertaken. In light of this review, the States will now be going out to tender for specialist contractors to carry out the deep survey to identify if the bombs are there, their exact location, and their depth.

It is anticipated the survey may be conducted by late spring.

States justice and regulation director of operations Dave Le Ray said that the action had been taken after numerous representations had been received.

‘While specialist advice indicates that the risk associated with the potential ordnance continues to be low, the decision has been made to commission a deep survey to identify if they are in existence and, if so, the exact location,’ he said.

‘We are now engaging with specialist contractors who we hope will tender to undertake this work, and when the tender process is complete, we will arrange a date for it to take place.

‘Subject to the outcomes of this survey, the Ministry of Defence will support officers in considering the next steps.’

Mr Remfrey said he was pleased his persistence has been vindicated.

‘The decision to conduct a deep intrusive survey of the fields in Route Isabelle adjacent to Wellington Close to locate these weapons is the right one,’ he said.

‘The original decision to only conduct a shallow non-intrusive survey was wrong. My research and compilation of a compelling dossier of evidence, to make a case to the Home Affairs and MoD for the deep survey to be conducted, is the only safe alternative where control is now back in the hands of those who realise the threat posed by these devices. The bombs will now be located and the threat removed once and for all.’