M5 Closure Sparked by Suspected Unexploded Device Discovery

The M5 was closed between Junctions 1 and 2 near Oldbury Viaduct after a family magnet fishing in the canal beneath the motorway hooked a suspected unexploded device.  Police put in place the road closure and surrounding safety cordons whilst an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was mobilised.

The EOD team confirmed that the suspicious item was  a flare and removed it.  Cordons were lifted and the traffic unleashed, with weary motorists glad to be on their way.

Magnet fishing is becoming an increasingly regular reason for EOD teams being mobilised across the UK. Understandably, any suspicious device found is usually treated with caution by members of the public but the implications on resource may need to be considered.

See: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8703171/m5-closed-today-bomb-squad-queues/