Topic: WW2 bomb found in Quarry at Annalong (Read 6385 times)

666_pack · « **on:** February 15, 2011 »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-12464658

ChuckMcB · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011 »

More info:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hikers-warned-after-wartime-bombs-found-in-mourne-mountains-15085319.html

Quote

Hikers warned after wartime bombs found in Mourne Mountains

Two unexploded shells have been found by quarry workers in the Mournes.

Hikers were urged to avoid the area as the Percy Bysshe quarry on Hill Road at Annalong was sealed off by police and Army Technical Officers after the World War Two shells were found yesterday morning.

Controlled explosions were carried out on both shells and one was removed for forensic analysis.

The quarry, which lies within the Mourne water catchment area, had been used during the war as an artillery firing range, Northern Ireland Water said.

“The bomb squad and PSNI are currently on site. The bomb squad are searching for other shells before attempting to make the area safe. The shells are extremely dangerous,” a spokeswoman said.

“NI Water would appeal to hikers to avoid the area until the PSNI has given the all-clear.

“NI Water would like to assure customers that there is no threat to the Mourne water supply.”

The workers had been preparing stone for a major scheme to repair years of erosion on some of the most popular hiking paths high in the Mournes.

The Mourne Upland Path Project will see repairs carried out to a 1,500-metre stretch of pathway inside the Mourne Wall, running from the gap in the ridge between Slieve Binnian and Slieve Lamagan up to the North Tor at Slieve Binnian.

Work began in January on the Carrick Little track to allow work teams better access to the quarry and it is expected this will also make it easier for emergency |services to go deeper into the mountains.

This need was identified by the Safer Mournes Partnership and carries on the work started with the upgrade of the Bloody Bridge quarry track to Crannoge quarry, which was completed last August.

This week workers began preparing stone from the quarry to be transferred to the Slieve Binnian path.

Next week, a helicopter is due to airlift stone from the spoil heaps up to the path, weather permitting, for further repair work.

Matthew Bushby of the Mourne Heritage Trust, which is overseeing the project, said: “This erosion has been developing over many, many years.

“It can increase the water and sediment run-off, which can damage the heathland, which is important at European level.”

The heathland is home to species such as nesting curlew, snipe, ring ouzel and the rare red grouse. There are also peregrine falcons and at least three species unique to the area.

Also in the comments someone posted:

Quote

Major training location for elements of the American 5th Infantry Division back in the day.

Wonder why NI Water is involved when the Mourne Heritage Trust's announcement had no mention of them.

pps. "Safer Mournes Partnership" wonder who they are.

DryBag · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2011 »

NI-Water own the Mournes don't they?

MG1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2011 »

They own all the land inside the mourne wall.

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Author Topic: WW2 bomb found in Quarry at Annalong (Read 6385 times)

666_pack

WW2 bomb found in Quarry at Annalong

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DryBag

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MG1

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