RESIDENTS in Gourock will be evacuated from their homes tomorrow when a decades-old sea mine will be detonated.
On Monday bomb disposal experts confirmed a British made sea mine from the 1940s or 1950s was found off the coast of Gourock near to the swimming pool.
Following an assessment of the device, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD), Police Scotland and Inverclyde Council have confirmed properties within a 200 metre range of the device will be evacuated.
The evacuation will take place on Thursday October 15 between the hours of 8am and 2pm.
The residents who will require to evacuate are located on Kempock Street (from Sainsbury’s end), some properties within Albert Road, and one property on Bath Street, as well as other areas up to approximately 50 metres beyond the war memorial.
Other residents who are within 500 metres of the mine will be allowed to stay in their properties but will be issued safety advice.
These include the following streets: Kempock Place, some properties on Albert Road, Barrhill Road, Binnie Street, remainder of Bath Street, St John’s Road, Adelaide Street, Broombury Drive, John Street, Royal Street, Station Road, and Burgh Walk.
Chief Inspector Elliot Brown, Local Area Commander for Inverclyde said: "I must stress that this evacuation is a precautionary measure, and that there is no immediate danger posed to the community of Gourock.
"I understand the disruption that this might cause some local residents however, we are working with our partners to ensure that this disruption is kept to the absolute minimum.
"Safety is our priority above all else, and this is why the decision to evacuate some residents has been taken.
There will also be a police cordon in place from 8am and a number of roads in and around the area will be closed or diverted.
Lieutenant Commander Tim Castrinoyannakis, Officer in Charge of the Royal Navy’s Northern Diving Unit said: "Due to the deterioration of the mine it is not possible to conclude how much explosive material it still contains therefore for the safety of the public we have decided to move it to a safer place and destroy it in situ.
"We have been working closely with the local authorities throughout and would like to thank the community for their patience."
The public will be kept informed of any changes to this schedule via social media and on Inverclyde Council and Police Scotland websites.
Inverclyde Council is also providing a respite centre should residents require it, as well as transport.
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