WWII Bomb blown up on Ainsdale Beach after builders in Bootle discovered it on Dunnings Bridge Road

The incident at Dunnings Bridge Road has now been safely resolved, and the road was fully reopened at 15:00 on 22nd October following the discovery of a suspected unexploded World War Two bomb.

The day’s events unfolded when builders working on a construction site near Atlantic Park, off Dunnings Bridge Road in Bootle, uncovered what appeared to be a wartime bomb. Police were called to the scene at around 10:15am, and officers quickly established a large safety cordon, temporarily closing Dunnings Bridge Road between Netherton Way and Park Lane. As a precaution, a nearby office building with around 500 workers was evacuated, and residents were urged to avoid the area while emergency services assessed the situation.

Merseyside Police and bomb disposal teams responded swiftly, and it was confirmed that the device was indeed a World War Two-era bomb. Specialist bomb disposal units were called in to handle the situation, and the device was carefully removed from the site. Authorities decided to transport the bomb to Ainsdale beach, where it was safely detonated in a controlled explosion later in the day.

Watch the footage of the bomb being exploded on Ainsdale beach here…

The use of Ainsdale beach for such detonations is a common practice in the area, as it provides a safe, isolated location for handling explosives. This is not the first time that remnants of the Blitz have surfaced in Bootle and surrounding areas. During World War Two, German bombers would often discard unused ordnance over Bootle and Southport after attacking Liverpool’s docks and key infrastructure. Over the years, unexploded bombs have been discovered across Merseyside, leading to similar evacuations and controlled detonations, including several instances on Southport beach.

Local businesses in the vicinity, such as the Aldi on Park Lane West, remained open throughout the incident, but traffic in the area was heavily impacted by the road closure. Police and Sefton Council kept the public informed with regular updates, advising motorists to seek alternative routes while the situation was being handled. Although the road closure caused initial congestion, traffic diversions were in place, and emergency services worked efficiently to minimize disruption.

Residents in Bootle expressed concern at the discovery, with many recalling previous incidents in which unexploded bombs from the Blitz were found in the area. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and no schools needed to be evacuated as a result of today’s discovery. In a statement, Merseyside Police emphasized that public safety was their top priority and thanked local residents and motorists for their cooperation and patience during the incident.

Once the bomb had been safely detonated on Ainsdale beach, police confirmed that all safety measures were lifted, and Dunnings Bridge Road was fully reopened at 15:00. Traffic has since returned to normal, and there are no further expected delays or disruptions in the area.

Today’s incident serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of World War Two on local communities. Bootle, in particular, was heavily bombed during the Blitz due to its proximity to Liverpool’s docks, and unexploded bombs from that time continue to be unearthed during construction projects. Thanks to the swift and professional response of Merseyside Police, bomb disposal teams, and other emergency services, the situation was handled quickly and efficiently, ensuring the safety of residents and workers in the area. Businesses and offices have now resumed normal operations, and life in Bootle has returned to its usual pace after this morning’s unexpected discovery.

Main photo by OTS News