There are at least 32 suspicious objects in the Alte Picardie Canal in the center of Coevorden. A company that specializes in detecting and securing explosives has discovered this. The objects must be cleared next year.
Explosives have previously been found in nearby watercourses. It is therefore likely that this is also the case here, writes the company Leemans Special Works from Vriezenveen in the report. “Insofar as no preliminary investigation has been carried out specifically for this location, the presence of ammunition items from all categories must be taken into account.”
These objects show the values and characteristics of explosives with a caliber from five centimeters.
Combat ammunition
The researchers are referring to combat ammunition, such as hand grenades and rifle cartridges. Probably remnants of World War II. These types of ammunition items can be detected by detection to a depth of about one meter.
It is also possible that there is more ammunition, deeper in the channel, beyond the detection range.
Safety
Alderman Jeroen Huizing (CDA), who speaks on behalf of the absent portfolio holder for Security, Mayor Renze Bergsma, can imagine that local residents may be concerned about safety during the evacuation of the objects, but tempers those fears: “There are people who have a lot of knowledge about how to handle something like this, without that boom happening.” So the mayor is not concerned about that.
Plan for securing
The researchers propose a plan to excavate the channel layer by layer and sieve the soil with a specialized diving team and equipment, in order to secure the objects. “If an explosive is found that cannot be secured on site due to instability, location or elaboration aspects, a further clearing plan will be drawn up in consultation with the EODD and other parties involved,” the report reads.
The assignment for the study dates back to 2014. The results are now available and the municipality wants to get to work on the clearance: “The work has been pushed forward in time. This causes nuisance for local residents. The water is starting to smell, among other things. the silt in the canal must be dredged out, because shallow parts have been created that are affecting shipping.”
City Council concerns
Henk Mulder (BBC2014) asks whether all local residents will be informed and involved in the activities involved in the clearance. Alderman Jeroen Huizing: “Yes, residents are informed by the Vechtstream Water Board.”
Jerry Stoker (PAC) wonders if the bombs and grenades are still in the same place. The alderman says that could be done, but that the entire process will be tackled.
Eddy Heeling (CDA) wonders why the work was put on hold for so long. Huizing confirms that it has indeed been lying around for a long time and that it is now being picked up.
Bomb scheme
The costs of dredging amount to 940,000 euros. Municipalities can qualify through the municipal fund for a contribution to the costs incurred for the detection and clearance of explosive remnants of war from the Second World War (the so-called bomb scheme). The reimbursement rate for contributions made from 2021 is 68%.
Clearance next year
The Vechtstromen Water Board, which is responsible for the maintenance of the Alte Picardie Canal, is claiming that bomb regulation. This amounts to 639,200 euros for this project.
Work will then take place in the second quarter of next year.