Controlled Explosion as Shell Closes Southend Pier
Southend Pier was closed for a day after the discovery of a Victorian-era shell within 30 metres of the historic structure. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was mobilised to site and, after moving the shell away from the pier, destroyed the device in a controlled explosion.
Bombs, shells and other projectiles are regularly found along the Southend coastline, which was on one of the main Luftwaffe flight paths into London during World War Two (WWII) and is also near to the historic Shoeburyness ranges, in use since the mid-19th century.
