Commuters delayed by bomb near track (From The Argus)

Commuters delayed by bomb near track

12:00am Wednesday 23rd May 2001

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: Bexley, January 18th: Police bomb experts were called to Bexley BR station after Railtrack workers uncovered an unexploded Second World War mortar shell.

The shell, which was dug up about 15m away from the platform, is believed to have lain there since 1944.

About 100 travellers had their journeys delayed for an hour while police evacuated the area and put up a 100m cordon around the scene.

A nearby petrol station was vacated as New Scotland Yard bomb disposal experts were called in to attend the scene.

The shell measured between eight and 10 inches, and was removed by the officers in charge of the investigation.

The station was declared safe at 10.30am - an hour after the bomb was reported.

Peter Davis, 32, systems analyst, from Long Lane, Bexley, said: "First there were leaves on the line, then there was the ice and now bombs. My boss will never believe me when I tell him why I am late."

And other commuters were not happy about the renewed disruption to their journey on January 11.

Ellen Farr, 44, of Hurst Road, Bexley, said: "If they have only just found an unexploded bomb from 50 years ago a few metres from the platform, it tells you how often they maintain the track or perform safety checks."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Even after all this time we still come across unexploded bombs. They can be unstable and so we have to cordon off the area and call the explosives experts.

"The Bexley incident was handled excellently and we would like to thank all the people who were at the station for remaining calm while we removed the explosive.

"We would also like to remind people if they see something suspicious, then dont touch it, warn people in the area and dial 999."

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