Jacksons Fine Fencing's latest project proved slightly more hazardous than normal - the site on which they planned to install boundary fencing also included twenty unexploded World War 2 pipe bombs.
The Coastguard and Hampshire Police air unit recently acquired the former Navy airfield, HMS Daedalus, in Lee on Solent in Hampshire.
Jacksons were given the mammoth task of installing Euro-Guard Extra boundary fencing to secure the site that is 400 acres with three multi-directional runways - a task made more difficult by the discovery of the unexploded bombs.
Bomb disposal experts from the army were drafted in to carry out bomb excavation work and to work closely with the contractors so that the fencing installation could be continued in safe areas of the site.
Over 5,000 metres of Euro-Guard Extra fencing with cranked extensions for barbed wire was used for the perimeter fencing. A 12-metre double leaf gate operated by the air control tower using GSM wireless technology was installed to allow airplane access.
The residents were temporarily accommodated during the daylight hours at the nearby Solent Community Centre and the Crofton Community Centre in Stubbington.
The operation lasted for a period of five weeks to allow the bombs to be removed safely. With some of them being measured at over 40 feet in length, it was clear that they posed a real danger to anyone working at the site or living nearby.
With the bombs removed and the fencing installed, the area is now clear of explosives and secure from intruders. Such was the success of the job, Jacksons was awarded a new contract to install a further 600 metres of fencing, including access to the site via five new auto sliding gates in the near future; hopefully this project will be completed without any surprises.
