Date: 19 December 2006 21:56

AGENCIES AGREE TO GO AHEAD WITH EVACUATION

A multi-agency meeting has agreed to press ahead with the potential 
evacuation of village residents while experts work to clear suspected 
unexploded bombs from a former World War Two airfield.

The meeting held at Shire Hall, Cambridge, today (Dec 19), involved 
representatives from the County Council and South Cambridgeshire District 
Council, the RAF, house builders Gallaghers, Defence Estates, English 
Partnerships and Cambridgeshire Police.

Following a comprehensive discussion and advice from military experts, a 
unanimous decision was taken to go ahead with the first phase of the 
clearance operation at Oakington, on January 8.

RAF Bomb disposal experts are expected to take between one and five days to 
investigate and if necessary, clear eight potential sites which may contain 
unexploded Second World War bombs.

Squadron Leader Neil Harding who commands the RAF Bomb disposal team which 
will carry out the work, said the eight existing sites had been identified 
as potentially dangerous and they should be investigated further and any 
necessary disposal work carried out without delay.

He added: "Public safety is paramount to these investigations. The planning 
for the first phase is comprehensive and well-advanced. RAF Explosive 
Ordnance Disposal personnel are fully trained to carry out this type of 
investigation safely and with minimal disruption to the public."

Comprehensive plans have been drawn up to evacuate people living and working 
within 1.8 kilometres of the potential danger sites should a controlled 
detonation be required.

County Council Chief Executive Ian Stewart who chaired today's meeting said 
he called the meeting to ensure that all the agencies involved were agreed 
on the extent and timing of the operation and to discuss potential clearance 
work on the rest of the site.

He said: "Having listened to all the agencies involved and in particular the 
military experts, a decision has been taken to go ahead with the disposal 
operation scheduled to start on January 8.

"Detailed evacuation and security plans have already been drawn up and work 
will continue to ensure everything possible is done to protect and support 
the local community - including animals and livestock - during this 
difficult and potentially dangerous, but necessary, operation."

The former Oakington airfield, previously owned by MoD, was sold for the 
development of the new Northstowe community. An MoD spokesman said: "All the 
agencies at this meeting agreed that on public safety grounds alone the 
operation early next year to clear these potentially dangerous sites should 
go ahead as planned."

 Cambridgeshire police will provide around 40 officers to enforce the 
perimeter during disposal operation. The Ministry of Defence Police will 
also provide 40 additional officers to support the operation. Superintendent 
Mick Gipp who will lead the police operation, said he was in complete 
agreement with today's decision.

County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Civil Protection, Councillor 
Victor Lucas said: "The level of co-operation between the police, local 
authorities, military and civilian organisations should ensure that this 
operation is carried out safely with minimal risk to the population, 
buildings or livestock in the area around the old airfield."

A briefing on the January 8 operation will be given to relevant County, 
District and Parish Councillors, later this week.